Calculation of Fire Fees

Abstract

As discussed throughout the report, fees related to the water used in fire protection systems are typically based on the size of the fire service connection supplying the water to the building. The cost to the end user is billed either at one time “capacity charge” connection fee, a flat monthly fee, a metered water fee for a minimum volume of water or a combination of any of those listed. Therefore, the current total fees a purveyor charges can be assessed by the size of the mains installed to the site. The total fees currently collected by the purveyor will be designated as C_T. The fees that should not be included are; tapping fees, equipment fees or any related labor associated with the installation of the fire protection mains. Those fees are considered construction costs and are not related to the flows within the mains. C_T will be different for every jurisdiction. The cost of the current fee structure will provide a starting point to distribute the cost among sprinklered and unsprinklered buildings.