104.8 Annual Report. At least annually,
the Code Official shall submit to the Mayor a written statement of
operations in the form and content as shall be prescribed by the Mayor.
At least monthly, the Code Official shall submit to the Mayor a written
statement regarding sanitary sewers and a summary of all actions taken
pursuant to the code.
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104.9 Qualification of Plumbing Inspector. To be eligible for appointment to the position of Plumbing Inspector,
the applicant shall possess, at minimum, certification in the following
Construction Code:
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Plumbing Inspector
Plumbing Plans Examiner
Mechanical Inspector
Mechanical Plans Examiner
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The application for a permit to install all or any part of any
plumbing system or any plumbing work shall only be made by a homeowner
plumber or master plumber. The applicant shall meet all applicable
qualifications, licensing or bonding requirements established by this
code, or any other ordinance or statute. The full names and addresses
of the owner, lessee, applicant and of the responsible officer, if
the owner or lessee is a corporate body, shall be stated in the application.
For the purposes of this code, the phrase "homeowner plumber" shall
mean that person who performs plumbing work in property owned or that
is leased by such person and is used as a principal residence by that
individual. A permit issued to such a homeowner plumber shall be valid
only for work actually performed by such person in the homeowner's
principal residence. At the time of issuance of all permits, the applicant
shall furnish a certificate evidencing proof of worker's compensation,
pursuant to relevant Pennsylvania law.
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The fees for all plumbing work, including permits, shall be as indicated in the Comprehensive Fee Schedule (Chapter A29 of the Whitehall Township Code), as amended from time to time. A reinspection fee, may be charged per visit for failure to have access to the job site, requesting an inspection on incomplete work and repeat violation visits. These fees must be paid in full prior to final inspection.
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Any person who shall violate a provision of this code or shall
fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof, or who shall
erect, install, alter, modify or repair plumbing work in violation
of this ordinance, the approved construction documents or directive
of the code official, or of a permit, license or certificate issued
under the provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a criminal offense,
punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment not
exceeding 30 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that
a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed
a separate offense.
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111.0 Demolition of Structures.
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111.1 Service connections. Before a structure is
demolished or removed, the owner or agent shall notify all utilities
having service connections within the structure, such as water, electric,
gas, sewer and other connections. A permit to demolish or remove a
structure shall not be issued until a release is obtained from the
utilities, stating that their respective service connection sand appurtenant
equipment, such as meters and regulators, have been removed or sealed
and plugged in an approved manner.
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111.2 Abandoned piping. Where laterals have been
abandoned, the house trap shall be removed, and the pipe hermetically
sealed by a cap or plug.
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112.0 Supervision.
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112.1 General. All plumbing work shall be conducted,
installed and completed in a workmanlike and approved manner to secure
the results intended by this code.
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112.2 Supervision. Every person engaged in the
business of plumbing in the Township of Whitehall shall have a licensed
master or journeyman plumber on the job site for the entire period
of the plumbing installation. No laborers or apprentices shall be
permitted to perform plumbing work in the Township of Whitehall without
the supervision of a master or journeyman plumber on the job site.
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113.0 Licensing.
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113.1 When license is required. It shall be unlawful
for any person, except a homeowner plumber as defined herein, to engage
in the practice or business of plumbing work within the Township of
Whitehall without first filing an application with the Township and
obtaining the required license therefor from the Department of Operations,
Bureau of Planning, Zoning and Development.
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113.2 Form of application. The application for a license shall be submitted on a form prepared and provided by the Township and shall be accompanied by the required fee as established by the Comprehensive Fee Schedule (Chapter A29) of the Township Code.
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113.3 Action on application. The Plumbers Examining
Board shall examine, or cause to be examined, all applications for
licenses within a reasonable time after filing. If the applicant is
deemed competent and qualified pursuant to the within regulations
and has successfully passed the examination given by the Plumbers
Examining Board, the Township shall issue a license as soon as practicable.
Any person who fails to pass the examination required by this section
may apply for re-examination for the next examination period. Any
individual whose license has been revoked and is applying for a new
license shall be re-examined and shall pay all required fees.
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113.4 Plumbers Examining Board; qualifications and examination
of applicants.
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113.4.1 The Plumbers Examining Board shall consist
of three individuals appointed by the Whitehall Township Board of
Commissioners. One member shall be appointed for one year and one
member shall be appointed for two years and one member shall be appointed
for three years. Thereafter, as the terms of appointment of each of
the original members of the Board expires, their successors shall
be appointed by the Township Board of Commissioners for a term of
three years. Each member of the Examining Board shall, at a minimum,
possess a master plumber's license from either Whitehall Township
or another equivalent, tested municipality in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
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113.4.2 Members of the Plumbers Examining Board
shall, within 30 days form the date of their appointment, meet specially
and organize, and shall elect from the members a Chairman. The Board
also shall elect a Secretary who need not be a member of the Board.
The Board shall meet as frequently as is necessary for the proper
and efficient discharge of its business. Meetings shall be held upon
48 hours' written notice to each member of the Board, setting the
purpose of such special meeting. Three members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction for all business.
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113.4.3 The Plumbers Examining Board shall formulate
its own rules and regulations for all examinations. Such rules and
regulations shall become effective immediately upon the adoption by
the Board and the approval of the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners.
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113.4.4 The Plumbers Examining Board shall investigate
all applications for licenses and shall report to the Department of
Operations, Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Planning, Zoning and Development,
the results of all examinations which it shall administer to applicants.
The Board shall investigate and hear all written complaints against
holders of licenses and report to the Bureau Chief its findings and
recommendations. The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings and
hearings and records of all its investigations and examinations of
applicants for licenses.
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113.4.5 Any applicant for a journeyman or master
plumber license shall be over the age of 21 years. At the time of
application, every applicant for a journeyman plumbers license shall
have had at least four years of practical experience in the installation
of drainage, waste, vent and water systems with a registered master
plumber or its equivalent. At the time of application, every applicant
for a master plumber's license shall have had at least five years
of practical experience in the installation of drainage, water and
vent and water systems with registered master plumbers or its equivalent.
In addition, every applicant for a master plumber's license shall
have had at least one year of experience as a journey plumber.
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113.4.6 Every application for a license shall be
made in writing on such form and shall furnish such information as
the Plumbers Examining Board may, from time to time, require. Applications
must be filed at least 45 days prior to the date of examinations as
hereafter provided.
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113.4.7 Written or written and practical examinations
shall be prepared by the Board and administered by the Board to applicants
to test each applicant's knowledge of the provisions of this code,
this article and the work covered thereby, and no license shall be
issued unless the applicant obtains a passing mark of at least 75%
on his examination to entitle him to a certificate or license. The
same tests as referenced hereinabove shall be administered to master
plumbers.
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113.5 Expiration; renewal. Every license issued hereunder shall expire on the 31st day of January of the following year in which the same was so issued. Every license issued hereunder may be renewed by the licensee without further application or examination, provided that the licensee tenders the required renewal fee on or before the day the license is due to expire. Renewal fees shall be established by the Comprehensive Fee Schedule (Chapter A29 of Township Code), as amended from time to time.
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113.6 Change of Name or Address. The licensee shall
notify the Code Inspector and the Bureau of Planning, Zoning and Development,
in writing, of any change in the licensee's name or business address.
Any such changes shall be noted on the licensee's license as well
as upon the official records maintained by the Code Inspector and
the Bureau of Planning, Zoning and Development.
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113.7 Reciprocity. The Township may, after the
payment of the required fee, issue a temporary license to a holder
of a substantially equivalent license from another jurisdiction within
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without examination, provided that
the Township is satisfied that the standards and qualifications of
the other Pennsylvania jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to
those of Whitehall Township, in that the issuing municipality must
be a township of the First Class or greater in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. All such temporary licenses are subject to review by
the Whitehall Township Plumbers Examination Board.
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113.8 Temporary license. The Township may issue
a temporary license to an individual who possesses a similar license
from another jurisdiction. The temporary license, once so issued,
shall be subject to the approval of the Plumbers Examination Board,
and shall be valid only for the calendar-year in which it was granted.
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113.9 Transferability. No license or temporary
license issued hereunder shall be transferable. Any license or temporary
license so transferred shall be revoked.
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113.10 Violations. No person not the holder of
an appropriate Whitehall Township plumbing license, nor a proprietorship,
partnership or corporation not employing a holder of an appropriate
license shall install, alter or repair any plumbing system in or on
any building. No person, partnership or corporation shall cause any
such work to be done by any person not the holder of such license,
nor by any proprietorship, partnership or corporation not employing
a holder of such license shall also represent that he or it holds
such Whitehall Township plumbing license or shall use in any advertisement
the word "Whitehall Township master plumber," "Whitehall Township
journeyman plumber" or "Whitehall Township registered plumber" or
any words of similar meaning or imprint on any sign, card, letterhead
or in any manner.
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113.11 Suspension or revocation. The Township,
upon recommendation by the Plumbers Examination Board, shall be permitted
to suspend for any length of time or revoke, for cause, any license
issued hereunder after a hearing has been held on the same. The licensee
or his agent shall be served at least five days prior to the hearing
and the reasons for the proposed suspension or revocation. At such
hearing, the licensee shall have the right to present written or oral
testimony, as well as cross-examine any witnesses. All testimony shall
be given under oath. The decision of the Plumbers Examination Board
shall be based upon the evidence produced at the hearing and shall
be made a part of the record thereof. Any decision of the Examination
Board shall be appealed directly to the Lehigh County Court of Common
Pleas.
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113.12 Voluntary suspension. The holder of any
valid plumbers license, as herein defined, may, upon written request
to the Plumbers Examination Board, surrender and have the Bureau Chief
of Planning, Zoning and Development hold said plumber's license in
voluntary suspension for a period of up to five years, during which
time the licensee may not perform any work which would, under the
provisions of this code, require the issuance of a license. Upon proper
application for return of the license being held in voluntary suspension,
the license shall be returned to the licensee without examination,
provided that the Plumbers Examination Board is satisfied as to the
licensee's continuing fitness to engage in the work covered by said
license.
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Subsection 603, Water Service, shall be amended
to include the following subsections:
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603.3 Separate trench. All water service laterals
shall be installed in a different trench from any trench for building
sewer pipes, notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 603.2.
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603.4 Minimum depth and width. All water service
lateral pipes shall be installed at a minimum depth of 42 inches below
finished grade, and the trenches shall have a minimum width of 24
inches.
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603.5 Undisturbed ground. All water service lateral
pipes shall be installed in a solid base of undisturbed ground, not
on any fill or compacted earth.
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603.6 Type K, One Length/Minimum Couplings. When
Type K soft copper tubing is installed, it shall be in one continuous
length from the curbline to the building (or house) with no joints
or couplings, for all lengths up to 100 feet, the lengths of the individual
pieces of tubing shall be arranged to utilize the minimum number of
couplings.
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608.13.11 Thermal expansion device required. Where
backflow preventers, check valves, water meters with check valves
or pressure-reducing valves are installed, approved thermal expansion
devices shall be required. The thermal expansion device shall be installed
in the cold-water line which supplies any water heater between the
backflow preventer, check valve, water meter with check valves or
pressure-reducing valve and the water heater. Thermal expansion devices
shall be installed as close to the water heater as practical. The
thermal expansion device shall be a type, design or model acceptable
to the Code Inspector.
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The terms, conditions and provisions of this code and this article
(except as set forth in the immediately preceding three sentences)
shall not be applicable to lawn irrigation systems. Lawn irrigation
systems are not considered to be plumbing systems, plumbing fixtures,
water supply and distribution systems or individual water supply systems.
For purposes of this section, the phrase "lawn irrigation" shall mean
any water distribution used exclusively for the watering of plants
(of all types) and flowers or systems to supply water to ornamental
landscaping fixtures (such as water fountains or pools, including
lawn or plant watering devices, but not swimming pools). The terms,
conditions and provisions of this code and this article shall be followed
with respect to those portions of the lawn irrigation system that
extend from the interior of a structure through the walls of such
structure and immediately to the other side thereof. It is the intent
of this subsection that the terms, conditions and provisions of this
code and article for lawn irrigation systems shall be complied with
for all fixtures or devices needed to provide water to the outside
of the structure.
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701.1.1. Except as otherwise set forth in this
chapter, the water distribution and drainage system of any structure
in which plumbing fixtures are installed shall be connected to a public
water main and sewer, respectively, where available. Where a public
water main is not available, a private sewage disposal system that
conforms to the International Private Sewage Disposal Code shall be
provided.
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701.9 Installation of sewer laterals. All sewer
laterals from the curb to the house shall consist of not less than
four-inch PVC or ABS Schedule 40 plastic pipe or four-inch service
weight cast-iron pipe and shall be installed on a six-inch base of
2A modified stone and covered with 12 inches of modified stone before
backfilling.
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701.10 Drainage. Whenever a consulting engineer
and/or the Township Engineer determines that an underground sanitary
sewer line shall be installed on the outside of a structure or building,
and the same shall either be eight inches in diameter or larger, or
manholes are required by this code, or whenever the same is required
by this code, the plumber shall obtain a permit from the Township,
and shall install such line in compliance with the applicable rules
and regulations as promulgated by the Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority
(hereinafter referred to as "Authority") and then in effect. The owner
shall, as and when required by the Authority, enter into improvements
agreements with the Authority to ensure proper construction of the
line. Whenever this is applicable, the owner shall permit the Authority
to inspect all labor work or materials performed or used and the site
to ensure compliance with the Authority's rules and regulations.
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"No-Hub pipe shall not be used for any underground
installation."
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"No-Hub pipe shall not be used for any underground
installation."
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712.1 Application. The pressure sewer system shall
be considered an alternative means for the collection of wastewaters
from residential, commercial and industrial establishments within
the Township. Pressure sewers shall not be considered a replacement
for a conventional gravity sewer, except where gravity sewers are
not feasible. A pressure sewer system may be approved by the Township
for construction and use under the following conditions:
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712.1.1. Where the proposed building cannot be
served by a conventional gravity sewer lateral to an existing gravity
system due to the topography, unsuitable subsurface conditions or
other conditions.
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712.1.2. If the first floor(s) of a building and/or
a substantial portion (30%+) of a building can be served by gravity
flow to the sanitary sewerage conveyance system, that portion of the
building shall be sewered by gravity to minimize the use of pressure
sewer systems and pumping flows. Rock excavation and/or additional
plumbing/piping costs are not considered enough reason to waive or
exempt the partial building gravity sewer service requirement.
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712.2. Design Criteria. Criteria for the design
of a pressure sewer system, including grinder pump units, or centrifugal
pump units, shall be in accord with current standards of the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection and recommendations of the
pump manufacturer. The following requirements shall also apply to
the design of pressure sewers:
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712.2.1, Piping.
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712.2.1.1. Sizing of piping for low-pressure sewers
shall be determined according to the projected peak flow and have
two-inch minimum diameter for the pressure lateral.
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712.2.1.2. Pressure sewer pipe inside diameter
shall be sized in accordance with Subsection 712.2 hereof. Minimum
required pipe size shall be determined to maintain low frictional
losses and a minimum scouring velocity of two feet per second at all
points in the piping network. A "C" value of 140 shall be used in
the Hazen Williams formula for calculating frictional losses in plastic
pipe pressure sewer systems. All piping in pressure sewer systems
shall be polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Schedule 40 with solvent weld joints.
The pipe shall be pressure rated at 280 psi.
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712.2.1.3. Layout and configuration of pressure
sewer laterals shall avoid abrupt changes in horizontal alignment;
all bends shall be 45° or less and the use of 90° bends is
prohibited.
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712.2.1.4. A plan view of the entire pressure sewer
system shall be prepared to indicate the location and direction of
flow for each lateral and the point of discharge to the nearest gravity
sewer. Profile drawings shall be provided to show the elevation of
all mains and pumps and sufficient information shall be provided to
demonstrate the adequacy of the grander and/or centrifugal pumps under
design flow and pressure conditions within the system.
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712.2.1.5. Cleanouts (details referenced hereinafter)
shall be provided at distances not to exceed 400 feet and at the pressure
to gravity lateral connection point.
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712.2.1.6. Lateral shut off valves shall be provided
at distances not to exceed 400 feet. Lateral shut off valves shall
be true-union ball valves as specified by the Code Inspector.
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712.2.1.7. Combination air and vacuum release valves
shall be provided at appropriate locations to prevent formation of
air pockets and a vacuum from developing within the system. Combination
air and vacuum release valves shall be APCO Series 400 Sewage Air
and Vacuum Valves or approved equal. Pressure sewers shall be constructed
on a gradual slope approximately parallel with the slope of the ground
surface to prevent air binding and flow restrictions.
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712.2.1.8. A reducer fitting shall be provided
in the pressure sewer lateral for connection of the pressure lateral
to the gravity lateral and a four-inch diameter cleanout provided
on the gravity lateral at this connection point as indicated on the
Typical Pressure Sewer Lateral and House Drain Connection Detail.
The length of pressure sewer lateral shall be minimized as much as
possible by continuing the four-inch to six-inch gravity lateral into
the lot until it cannot meet the minimum forty-two-inch cover requirement.
In no case shall the pressure lateral extend beyond the curbline or
edge of a Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority easement.
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712.2.2, Grinder pump units.
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712.2.2.1. The minimum net storage capacity of
the sewage collection tank containing the grinder pump shall be 100
gallons for each equivalent dwelling unit. The collection tank shall
be adequately sized to accommodate normal peak sewage flows and emergency
storage from the volume during an eight-hour power failure. In multi-unit
dwellings, commercial and industrial establishments, where the sewage
volume generated is substantially larger than for a single-family
residence, an emergency drain from the collection tank to a holding
tank shall be required for use during an extended power failure longer
than eight hours. Duplex pump units shall be provided in all facilities
with an estimated average sewage volume greater than 1,000 gallons
per day.
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712.2.2.2. Check and shutoff valves shall be provided
to isolate the grinder pump from the pressurized house drain, lateral
and main sewer. Where duplex grinder pumps are installed, separate
check and shutoff valves are required for each pump. Check valves
shall be approved swing or flapper type. A duplicate check valve shall
be installed in the grinder pump discharge piping or in the pressurized
house drain at an approved location.
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712.2.2.3. A high-level detection device with visual
and audible alarms shall be furnished on each wastewater collection
tank unit.
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712.2.2.4. Grinder pumps shall be capable of reducing
the wastewater solid material to such size that the material will
pass through the pump, pressurized house drain, lateral and main sewer
without clogging or causing a blockage.
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712.2.2.5. Grinder pumps and sewage collection
tanks shall be installed outside the building and shall be accessible
from above ground to permit maintenance and repair and must be designed
to allow removal of the pumps without de-watering the collection tank.
An exemption to this outside installation requirement may be permitted
in the case of an ancillary bathroom facility that requires pumping
(such as a second bathroom in a home basement) where the main building
facilities have gravity sewage flow service.
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712.2.2.6. Grinder pumps shall be free from electrical
and fire hazards; evidence of compliance with this requirement shall
be indicated by the completely assembled pump being listed by the
Underwriters' Laboratories or another national testing service.
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712.2.2.7. Grinder pump installations shall meet
accepted standards for plumbing equipment, shall be free from noise,
odors or health hazards and the pumps shall have been tested by an
independent laboratory to certify the capabilities of the equipment
to function in pressure sewer system applications. The grinder pump
and collection tank, when furnished together as a unit, shall bear
the seal of approval of the National Sanitation Foundation as evidence
of compliance with this requirement. The manufacturer of the grinder
pump unit shall be experienced in the design and manufacture of equipment
for specific use in pressure sewer systems. Detailed information published
by the grinder pump manufacturer shall be submitted to verify compliance
with this requirement.
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712.2.3, Centrifugal pumps.
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712.2.3.1. As an alternative to using the grinder
pump, a centrifugal pump may be approved for use in conjunction with
a collection tank of sufficient size to accommodate projected normal
peak flows.
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712.2.3.1. All conditions applicable to grinder
pump units as stated in Subsection 712.2.2 shall also apply to centrifugal
pumps.
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712.3. Testing of lower-pressure sewer pipe. For
normal working pressure of 35 psi or less, the piping shall be tested
using static pressure test of 60 psi for two hours.
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712.4, Ownership, operation and maintenance. Grinder
pumps or centrifugal pumps, including the collection tank, valves,
piping and appurtenances, and the pressurized or gravity house drain
to the curb, curbline or an easement shall be owned, maintained and
operated by the individual, private concern or owner of the property
served by the public sewer system. The gravity lateral and mains within
the street's cartway up to the curbline or easement shall be owned,
operated and maintained by the Township or the Authority unless otherwise
determined by the Township or the Authority.
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712.5, Construction specification and details. Pressure
sewer systems shall be constructed in accordance with the approved
specifications and detail drawings of the Township as attached hereto
as Drawings 712.5.1, 712.5.2 and 712.5.3. All applicable sections
of these specifications for construction of sanitary sewer shall be
considered a part hereof.
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Every trap and trapped fixture shall be provided
with an individual vent located not more than two feet from said trap,
except as otherwise provided for in this chapter. Wet vents will be
permitted in Whitehall Township only when approved by the Township.
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Grease interceptors shall be required in all
restaurants, hotel kitchens, bars, factory cafeterias, clubs and other
similar establishments. Food waste grinders shall not discharge into
the building drainage system through a grease interceptor.
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"No-Hub pipe shall not be used for any underground
installation."
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"No-Hub pipe shall not be used for any underground
installation."
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