§ 54-60. Fire hydrant installation for existing apartment complexes.

(a)

Existing apartment complexes. Apartment complexes in existence as of the effective date of this section shall, at a minimum, be brought into full compliance with fire hydrant locations and flow rates set forth in the state minimum fire safety standards and the Cobb County Development Standards.

(b)

Time period for submitting site plans. Apartment complexes in existence as of the effective date of this section which are in noncompliance with fire hydrant locations and flow rates set forth in the state minimum fire safety standards and the Cobb County Development Standards must, within one year of the effective date of this section, submit site plans for bringing the complexes into full compliance with the applicable standards to the Cobb County Fire Marshal's Office.

(1)

With respect to apartment complexes in existence as of the effective date of this article, the fire marshal is authorized to provide notice to the building owner or agent of any apartment complex that is not in compliance with fire hydrant locations and flow rates set forth in the state minimum fire safety standards and the Cobb County Development Standards. Within 60 days of receiving such notice of noncompliance, the building owner or agent of such owner shall file an "Intent to Comply" with the requirements of this section with the Cobb County Fire Marshal's Office. Such notice of intent to comply shall include:

a.

Contact information for the property owner, agent, and any personnel responsible for project compliance;

b.

The property owner's acknowledgement of the need to comply with state minimum fire safety standards and the Cobb County Development Standards within the time set forth in this section;

c.

A statement of the property owner's intention to comply, which should include a projected completion date for the installation of and/or flow rate correction of the fire hydrants; and

d.

The property owner's acknowledgement of the requirement to submit site plans for approval to the Cobb County Fire Marshal's Office no later than one year after the effective date of this article;

(c)

Time period for compliance. Any existing apartment complex that is not in compliance with fire hydrant locations and flow rates set forth in the state minimum fire safety standards and the Cobb County Development Standards shall be required, at a minimum, to bring the apartment complex into full compliance within three years of the effective date of this section.

(d)

Flow rates. Where there is substantial documentation that compliance with the minimum flow rates of this section would require overly burdensome steps by a property owner, the fire marshal may deem such hydrants as acceptable or may accept alternatives deemed equivalent for fire safety risk reduction.

(Ord. of 3-25-08; Amd. of 2-26-13)