Developers Save Money on Ann Arbor Fire Connection and Meter Charges
Water mains for fire suppression serving multiple buildings under the same ownership and on the same parcel can be designed to save money on expensive City of Ann Arbor tap, connection, and meter charges (see chart below).
Connection Charges for Fire Service Connections (Effective 1/1/09)
| TAP | NEW FIRE | NEW FIRE | TOTAL |
| CONNECTION | CONNECTION | COMBINED | |
| SIZE | CHARGE-Water | CHARGE-Sewer | FEE |
| 1″** | $ 2,620.00 | $ 2,235.00 | $ 4,855.00 |
| 1.5″ | $ 5,895.00 | $ 2,235.00 | $ 8,130.00 |
| 2″ | $ 10,480.00 | $ 2,235.00 | $ 12,715.00 |
| 4″ | $ 41,920.00 | $ 5,029.00 | $ 46,949.00 |
| 6″ | $ 94,320.00 | $ 8,940.00 | $ 103,260.00 |
| 8″ | $ 167,680.00 | $ 35,760.00 | $ 203,440.00 |
| 10” | $ 262,000.00 | $ 80,460.00 | $ 342,460.00 |
| 12” | $ 377,280.00 | $ 143,040.00 | $ 520,320.00 |
A recent project included two hotels on one parcel. Big money was saved on fees by eliminating one fire suppression tap. Fire suppression was provided by extending the proposed 6” water line from one hotel to the other saving the owner $103,260.
A second project included three rental apartment buildings with a total of 896 bedrooms on one parcel. One 8” tap and a booster pump replaced three 8” taps reducing City fees by $406,880.
This concept can be used in the City of Ann Arbor where there are multiple buildings under the same ownership on a single parcel. For example, a privately owned office park, a commercial or academic campus, or a retail center with multiple structures and tenants could be designed this way to save big money on tap, connection, and meter charges.
Earl Ophoff, LSA, is a registered landscape architect and senior project manager with Midwestern Consulting, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Call Earl at 734.995.0200.