Carroll County, Maryland Adds New Underground Fire Protection Tank
By Associate/Instructor Tom Coe
July 17, 2012
Uniontown is a small historic area located in a farming community of Carroll County Maryland with a population of less than a thousand people. Most of the structures in the area are closely placed and were constructed in the early 1800's. The old and dry wood makes the perfect setting for a conflagration. Water supply for fire protection had historically been provided by the Uniontown Fire Pond. Due to deteriorating conditions at the pond, the local fire department recently deemed the fire pond unusable.
The New Windsor Fire Department immediately began a search for property for an underground fire protection tank to replace the fire pond. Their exhaustive search included several attempts to acquire land from the County Government, non-profit organizations and local residents. In early 2011 a land owner stepped forward and worked with Carroll County Government to donate a piece of property for the project.
After several months of planning, the Carroll County Commissioners approved and funded the project which totaled just under $90,000. A local contractor was awarded the project and the shovel hit the ground in May of 2012. The 30,000 gallon tank was tested by the fire department as well as an official from the Carroll County Office of Public Safety Support Services and placed in service on July 13th. This joint effort between the New Windsor Fire Department, Carroll County Government and a local property owner has greatly enhanced the fire protection for the Uniontown area of Carroll County, Maryland.
For more information on the Carroll County Underground Fire Protection Tank Program check out the Document Library of the Member's Area of the www.gotbigwater.com website. The Documents Library includes tank specifications, design drawings and various other related documents.
The excavation for the tank. Note the gravel base which was leveled and compressed prior to tank placement.
The large, one piece tank was lowered into place by crane and then anchored into place to prevent movement.
Multiple anchor straps not only prevent the tank from floating but assist in leveling the tank prior to backfill
Once the tank was backfilled, it received a 4" concrete pad and an asphalt apron. Most installations include several concrete filled bollards to prevent damage from things such as lawn mowers and snow plows.
The tanks are set up with 6" male NST drafting connection, a 4" Stortz fill pipe, a vent with tank level indicator and a manway to access the tank for maintenance and inspection
Final Acceptance Testing - Carroll County requires underground fire protection tanks to flow a minimum of 1,000gpm (Specifications can be found in the Document Library of the Members Area at www.gotbigwater.com)
