Santa Cruz County CA Fire Prevention Tanks
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Santa Cruz County, CA is one of the original counties in California created in 1850 when California became a state. As of the 2020 census the population was listed as 270,861.
Santa Cruz County needs fire prevention tanks just like the rest of California. It is home to agriculture, food processing and packaging, and the service industry such as restaurants and hotels.
In the early 19th century its economy was made up of lumber, cement, and leather goods. By 1989 the unemployment rate of Santa Cruz was 20% higher than the rest of the country and still is today.
Vineyards are a large part of the Santa Cruz County economy. Two wineries in 1976 were selected for tasting in the Paris Wine Tasting. Those two wineries were David Bruce Winery and Ridge Vineyards.
Communities in Santa Cruz County include the following:
- Capitola
- Santa Cruz (county seat)
- Scotts Valley
- Watsonville
- Aptos
- Brookdale
- Davenport
- La Selva Beach
- Rio del Mar
With 29 miles of beaches there is a lot to draw tourists.
In recent years, wildfires have threatened Santa Cruz County just like the majority of counties in California. Private Fire Prevention tanks have become essential to both commercial and residential properties.
The most recent fire the 17th of February 2022 was 10 acres burning. Luckily no one was injured and structures were damaged. Had high winds developed it could have been a totally different story. The largest and most destructive fire in Santa Cruz’s history was the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020. The CZU destroyed 1,490 structures, with damage to an additional 140 structures, and sadly resulting in one fatality. That fire reinforced the critical need for fire protection tanks.
What Is a Fire Protection Tank?
A fire protection tank is a water storage tank that has a high volume capacity and is dedicated to fire protection. It must be compliant with all local, state, and national standards and regulations; including proper installation. It should be part of your overall fire prevention protection plan for your business or residential properties.
Fire Tanks for both Commercial and Residential
Both commercial and residential properties are in vital need of fire protection tanks. It helps reduce the risk of total loss. It can also help keep your insurance premiums from increasing greatly or the insurance being cancelled completely.
Besides a fire protection tank your fire protection plan should include the following:
- Prescribed burns to keep dried brush and grasses from being ignited by lightning
- Keep combustible materials stored away from structures
- Have sprinkler systems on your and inside your structures
- Know your evacuation plan
- Have connections on your fire protection tank for hoses
Water Storage Tanks in Santa Cruz County
Water storage tanks in Santa Cruz County can be used for a number of reasons that includes:
- Fire protection tanks
- Irrigation tanks
- Storing dry ingredients for commercial businesses such as wineries
- Sprinkler systems including exterior sprinklers
- Wastewater
- Food processing and packaging plants
- Rainwater harvesting
- Storm water collection
- Drinking water
With the wildfires recently becoming so frequent there is barely any stop to them, it might be a good idea, if you have a lot of property that you have more than one fire protection tank. Tanks can be set in areas so that your entire property can be reached.
City, County and State of California Fire Code Requirements for Water Tanks
All private fire protection tanks whether for commercial or residential properties must follow the local, county, and state fire code requirements.
Each is slightly different but not so different that the code requirements are impossible to follow. One very important code is the NFPA-22 code.
Santa Cruz County’s codes regarding fire tanks for single and two family dwelling states that the minimum water storage is 4,000 gallons of water. It also covers connections for the fire department.
The Santa Cruz County Fire Marshal is in charge of review and inspection to make sure the codes are met on all new buildings and remodels.
The Santa Cruz County Fire Department offer information on a number of things including current fire events.
NFPA-22 Compliant Water Tanks
NFPA-22 code is a national standard that covers the drafting, making, installation, upkeep, and accessories of a fire prevention tank. If you decide you want your local fire department to hook up to your fire protection tank, you will need to know what size the connectors are that the fire department uses. Have the valves and connections installed into the tank as it is being made.
Steel Bolted or Poly Tanks Available for Fire protection in Santa Cruz County
Fire protection tanks in Santa Cruz can be steel bolted or poly tanks. Which tank is best for your use depends on a few factors that include the following:
- Commercial or residential? Commercial properties do better with steel bolted due the large capacity they hold
- The number of structures you need to protect
- How many acres of land you need to protect
- The number of sprinkler systems you are putting on the fire protection tank; interior or exterior systems
Steel bolted tanks hold a large capacity starting at around 4,000 gallons up to 2,868,000 gallons. Yes that is two million gallons. Steel bolted tanks are compatible with all regulations from local, state, and national codes and standards. These tanks will be set on a concrete slab foundation. Due to the larger capacities these are an excellent choice for commercial properties. Commercial properties usually have more structures, machines, and more processes like a winery that need protection from fire.
Residential dwellings normally go for poly tanks as they have smaller tanks beginning at 4,000 gallons up to 15,500 gallons. Generally these are hooked to the sprinkler systems. You can also have connections put on them for your local fire department. Another advantage to poly tanks is they will not rust.
Both types of tanks will last for years. But they must be maintained regularly to keep them functioning properly and adequately filled with water.
- The number of structures
- The number of people in the residential building
- How much land you need to keep wet, so it won’t ignite
- The number of areas you have landscaped and how well you maintain it
Fire protection tanks can be made to fit everyone’s needs and still be compliant with all the local, state, and national regulations. If you wish connectors and valves on the tank make that known before the tank begins being built.