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Chaffee County Fire chief raises concerns about hydrant distribution, sprinkler pressure and wildfire restrictions ahead of summer events
Summary
Fire chief Kira told trustees that sprinkler system tests at recent commercial occupancies failed due to low pressure, warned of hydrant gaps north of the highway and asked to be more involved in development planning and access to ensure fire code needs are met.
Chaffee County Fire District representative Kira told the Board of Trustees on May 27 that recent inspections exposed potential water pressure shortfalls at commercial properties and that the town should factor fire‑flow requirements into development planning.
"It didn't have enough pressure, to be able to put out the required flow of that sprinkler, if it were to be activated," Kira said after describing a failed sprinkler acceptance test at a recent commercial occupancy. She said the state reviews sprinkler systems and will return to flow a hydrant while the system is activated to confirm combined performance.
Why it matters: Kira said insufficient pressure could limit the effectiveness of sprinkler systems and require the fire district to pump from apparatus and open hydrants simultaneously, increasing instantaneous draw on the municipal system. She also highlighted a lack of hydrants on the north side of the highway: "there's a huge gap between Harrison and Crossman where there are no hydrants there." That gap could limit fire response and require shutting highways for firefighting access.
Other key points: the district is updating protocols for river and water rescues tied to the new river park and is planning staffing for wildland response during the summer season. Kira asked to be involved earlier in planning reviews: "the request would be to continue to have some conversations with Tarika and her team and be involved, when it comes to the planning of access and what the requirements are for the fire code."
Decision/direction: Trustees took no immediate formal action but heard requests to include fire staff in development review and to track sprinkler/hydrant performance as a rising planning concern for large commercial occupancies. Kira said the county and town coordinate when burn restrictions are raised; the town’s burn ordinance follows county restrictions and is sometimes more restrictive than the county’s rules.
Ending: The fire district urged trustees to factor water distribution and access into upcoming development decisions and to plan for more frequent hydrant testing and possible hydraulic modeling as the town expands commercially.
