[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 1]
1.
It shall be unlawful to install, repair or test fire hydrants; appurtenances and water lines on either private or public property in the Plumstead Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, except in strict conformity with the regulations of this Part, Chapter 7, Part 3, Fire Code, of Plumstead Township Code, and other local ordinances, rules and regulations of the water authority serving that area, and federal or state law, as amended.
2.
All fire hydrants, appurtenances and water lines shall be maintained
in accordance to this Part, other Township ordinances and the rules
and regulations of the water authority serving that area, as amended.
3.
A person shall not use or operate any fire hydrant intended for the
use of the Fire Department for fire suppression purposes unless such
person first secure a permit for such use from the code official and
the water authority having jurisdiction. This section shall not apply
to the use of such hydrants by a person employed by, and authorized
to make such use by, the water authority having jurisdiction.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 2]
1.
General Installation.
A.
All fire hydrants shall have two 2 1/2 inch hose outlets and
one 4 1/2 inch in diameter pumper outlet.
B.
Fire hydrant thread shall be NH Standard, as specified in NFPA 1963,
"Standard for Screw Threads and Gaskets for Fire Hose Connections."
C.
The center of all hose outlets shall be a minimum of 18 inches and
a maximum of 24 inches in elevation above the finished grade. In setting
the fire hydrants, due regard should be given to the final grade line.
The required clearances shall be maintained.
[Amended by A.O.]
D.
The closest portion of the hydrant to the roadway curbing shall be
a minimum of three feet and a maximum of six feet from the back of
the curbing along roadways. When curbing is not provided, all hydrants
shall be five feet to eight feet from the edge of the road surface.
[Amended by A.O.]
E.
Hydrants shall be located in a manner to provide complete accessibility
and so that the possibility of damage from vehicles or injury to pedestrians
will be minimized.
F.
Fire hydrants, appurtenances and piping shall be of the type and
size approved by the water authority serving that area.
G.
Fire hydrants shall be supplied by no less than an eight-inch diameter
main. Dead-end mains shall not exceed 600 feet in length for mains
under 10 inches in diameter.
H.
When deemed necessary by the Code Official, all fire hydrants shall
be protected from mechanical and physical damage. The method of protection
shall be approved by the code official and the water authority serving
that area. The means of protection shall be arranged in a manner which
will not interfere with the connection to or the operation of the
hydrant.
I.
Fire hydrants along roadways shall have the 4 1/2 inch pumper
connection on the street side. Fire hydrants located in parking lots
or similar setting shall have the 4 1/2 inch pumper connection
facing the building, unless specified otherwise by the Code Official.
J.
Access for fire apparatus to all fire hydrants shall be in a manner
approved by the Code Official. Access shall be a minimum 18 feet wide
and shall be capable of supporting the weight of fire apparatus. Access
to fire hydrants shall be maintained in a passable condition at all
times.
K.
Water tanks and fire pumps shall be installed in accordance with
the Township ordinances, the water authority serving that area and
federal and state regulations, as amended.
L.
All control valves shall be located where readily accessible and
shall be free from obstructions.
2.
Marking of Fire Hydrants. The bonnet and nozzle caps of public fire
hydrants shall be painted with white reflective paint. The barrel
of the hydrants shall be painted red. Private fire hydrants shall
be painted completely red.
[Amended by A.O.]
3.
Maintenance.
A.
All fire hydrants, appurtenances and water mains shall be maintained
in an operative condition at all times and be free of obstructions
and leaks. All hydrant parts shall be maintained in an operable condition
at all times and shall be free of mechanical damage, corrosion and
rust. All outlet threads shall be maintained free of mechanical damage,
corrosion, rust and paint, and shall be covered by approved caps.
B.
All fire hydrants shall have a well-maintained surface coat of paint
to prevent rust or corrosion.
C.
No person shall deface, damage, restrict or obstruct access to any
fire hydrant. All fire hydrants shall be visible and immediately accessible
at all times. Hydrants shall not be obstructed by fences, bushes,
trees, vegetation, walls or any other object.
D.
No fire hydrant shall be shut off, removed or relocated unless approved
by the Township and the water authority having jurisdiction.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 3]
1.
The placement of all fire hydrants shall be approved by the Township
and the water authority serving that area.
2.
Public Fire Hydrants.
A.
Fire hydrants shall be spaced for commercial, industrial and multifamily
dwellings so that all proposed and existing buildings will be no more
than 400 feet measured along the traveled ways from a fire hydrant.
B.
Fire hydrants shall be spaced for one- and two-family dwellings so
that all proposed and existing buildings will be no more than 600
feet measured along the traveled ways from a fire hydrant.
3.
In addition to public fire hydrants, additional fire hydrants may
be required to be installed on private property.
4.
Existing private and public hydrants may be recognized as meeting
all or part of the placement requirements of this Part when meeting
the flow requirements and distance measured along traveled ways as
established in this Part and when approved by the Township and water
authority serving that area.
5.
Fire hydrants may be required to be added and/or relocated, as required
by this Part, when a building undergoes additions or additional building(s)
are added. No building addition, alteration or proposed building shall
interfere with the connection to or operation of existing fire hydrants.
6.
Any person may request the removal, relocation or additional fire
hydrant(s) by submitting a letter to the Board of Supervisors of the
Township and the water authority serving that area. Approval of both
the Township and the water authority serving that area will be required.
7.
Fire hydrants shall be a minimum of 40 feet from all buildings or
structures. When hydrants cannot be placed at this distance, they
may be located close when approved by the Code Official and the possibility
of injury by falling walls is minimal.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 4]
1.
Minimum fire flow for commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings
shall not be less than 1,000 gallons per minute.
2.
Minimum fire flow for one- and two-family dwellings shall not be
less than 1,000 gallons per minute.
3.
The fire flow for all locations shall not be less than the minimum
required fire flow as established by the Insurance Services Office
(ISO) Commercial Risk Services.
4.
All fire hydrants shall have a minimum residual pressure of 20 pounds
per square inch (psi) for a two-hour period.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 5]
1.
Notification shall be made to the Township, the water authority serving
that area, and the Fire Department serving that area prior to the
disconnection or interruption of fire protection, tests, repairs,
alterations or additions are started and upon completion of such work;
and shall be advised to the extent of and reason for such work.
2.
The restoration of the fire hydrant shall be diligently pursued.
3.
All hydrants placed out of service shall be marked in a method approved
by the Township. Marking shall be removed immediately upon restoration
of service.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 6]
1.
For additional fire protection, an approved standpipe or dry hydrant
may be required to be incorporated into existing and proposed reservoirs,
ponds or other water sources. Access easements shall be provided for
emergency use.
2.
All supplemental fire protection sources shall be installed in accordance
to approved methods accepted by the Township.
3.
Access for fire apparatus to all supplemental fire protection sources
shall be a minimum of 18 feet wide and be capable of supporting the
weight of fire apparatus. The access shall be maintained in a passable
condition at all times.
4.
Supplemental fire protection sources shall not be accepted as a substitute
for fire hydrants, nor shall they be accepted as the primary water
source for fire protection.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 7]
1.
Upon completion of installation and/or repairs, all fire hydrants
and fire mains shall be flow tested and flushed to remove foreign
materials.
2.
All test results shall be submitted to the Township and the water
authority serving that area.
3.
Upon completion of installation, all fire hydrants shall be inspected
and approved by the Township and the water authority serving that
area.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 8]
All fire hydrants, appurtenances and water mains that are to
become the responsibility of the Township and/or the water authority
serving that area shall meet the requirements of this Part prior to
acceptance.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 9]
1.
A layout plan shall be approved by the Township and the water authority
serving that area.
2.
The plan shall be drawn to scale and shall include all essential
details such as, but not limited to:
A.
Size, type, and location of all proposed and existing water lines.
B.
Exact size and location of all proposed and existing structures.
C.
Location of all proposed fire department connections, risers and
control valves.
D.
Location of proposed and existing fire hydrants.
E.
Size and location of all water supplies.
F.
Size, type and location of all valves. Indicate if located in pit
or if operation is by post indicator or key wrench through a curb
box.
G.
Indicate the size, type and location of meters, regulators and check
valves.
H.
Size of outlets and type of fire hydrant.
3.
The Township and the water authority serving that area shall be authorized
to designate a form of application and permit.
4.
Any required fees shall be in accordance with the established fee
schedule resolution in effect.
5.
Any deviation from the approved plans shall be authorized by the
Township and the water authority serving that area.
6.
Any errors or omissions on the plans do not relieve the applicant
from complying with all applicable requirements of this Part.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 10]
1.
No person shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with any verbal
or written abatement notice served on such person, either personally
or by registered or certified mail, issued by the Code Official. Such
notice shall set forth a violation of this Part and a time within
which the violation shall be abated.
2.
Any person aggrieved may appeal to the Plumstead Township Construction
Board of Appeals. Any decision or interpretation of the respective
code official or duly authorized representative of the Township pursuant
to the provisions of the 1993 BOCA Building Code.
3.
If the notice of violation is not complied with within the time specified,
the Code Official shall request the legal counsel of the jurisdiction
to institute the appropriate legal proceedings to restrain, correct
or abate such violation of the provisions of this Part or direction
made pursuant thereto.
4.
In all enforcement proceedings brought by the Township to seek compliance
with the requirements of this Part, the Township may recover reasonable
attorneys' fees, costs and expenses.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 11; as amended by Ord. 97-4-15, 4/15/1997; and by Ord.
2004-07, 12/7/2004, § 1]
Any person firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before
a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement
of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs
and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues
of each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated
shall constitute a separate offense.
[Ord. 95-10-17-1, 10/17/1995, § 12]
In the event that any section or sections of this Part are found
to conflict with another Township ordinance or the Township Code,
the most stringent shall apply.
