[Added 2-14-2017 by Ord.
No. 1957-2017]
As used in this article, the following term shall have the meanings
indicated:
The Fire Department of the Township of Galloway.
A private fire hydrant as defined below.
A private fire hydrant which is not operational.
A shutdown of a private fire hydrant which renders the hydrant
nonoperational and out of service.
A visual inspection of a private fire hydrant to verify that
it appears to be in operating condition and is free from physical
damage.
Work performed to keep a private fire hydrant operational.
The most current standards promulgated by the National Fire
Protection Association for the inspection, testing and maintenance
of water-based fire protection systems.
The person that holds record title to the property upon which
a private fire hydrant is located.
A valved connection to a water main for the purpose of supplying
water to a fire hose or other fire protection apparatus and which
is not located within the public right-of-way.
Having knowledge of the insulation, construction, operation,
maintenance, correction or repair of a fire hydrant and the hazards
involved.
Written documentation of the inspection, testing, maintenance,
correction or repair of a private fire hydrant.
A procedure of periodic physical and operational checks used
to determine whether a private fire hydrant is capable of being operated
as intended and whether it will perform as intended; for instance,
water flow tests.
A.
Responsibility for properly maintaining a private fire hydrant shall
be that of the owner of the property.
B.
Every private fire hydrant shall by means of periodic inspections,
tests, maintenance, correction, and repair shall be maintained in
a proper working condition, fully consistent with this article, with
the applicable NFPA standards, and the specifications and recommendations
of the manufacturer of the hydrant.
C.
Inspection, testing, maintenance, correction and repair shall be
implemented with the procedures meeting or exceeding those established
in this article and the NFPA standards, and shall be in accordance
with the manufacturer's specifications or recommendations. In the
event of a conflict among any of the applicable standards, the restricted
standard, which is protected by the Public Health and Safety Act,
shall apply. Inspection, testing, maintenance, correction and repair
shall be performed by qualified maintenance personnel or a qualified
contractor which are acceptable to the Fire Department.
D.
The owner shall promptly correct or repair any deficiencies, damaged
parts, or impairments found while performing the inspection, testing
and maintenance requirements of this article.
E.
The owner shall promptly correct or repair any deficiencies, damaged
parts, or impairments of any private fire hydrant of which the owner
has knowledge or, in the exercise of reasonable care, ought to have
knowledge.
A.
This section establishes the minimum requirements for the routine
inspection, testing, maintenance, correction and repair of private
fire hydrants.
B.
On or before October 1 of each year, the owner shall have inspected,
tested, maintained and, if necessary, corrected and repaired, each
private fire hydrant to ensure proper functioning.
(1)
The owner shall have an inspection conducted of a private fire hydrant
after each time the hydrant is operated.
(2)
The hydrant shall be opened and water flowed into until all foreign
material has cleared. Flow shall be maintained for not less than one
minute and after operation, the hydrant shall be observed for proper
drainage from the barrel. The test shall include the water pressure
coming out of the hydrant as measured by pounds per square inch and
a calculation of the number of gallons of water permitted from the
hydrant.
C.
Private fire hydrants shall be lubricated annually to ensure that
all stems, caps, plugs and threads are in proper operating condition.
D.
Private fire hydrants shall be kept free of snow, ice or other materials
and protected against mechanical damage. Free access to the hydrant
shall be ensured.
E.
The owner shall repair as soon as practical a private fire hydrant
which is impaired or otherwise does not function as provided for by
this article, the NFPA Standards, or the manufacturer's specifications.
(1)
After all necessary repairs to a private fire hydrant are completed,
the owner shall have the hydrant inspected and tested to ensure that
the hydrant is operational. The inspection and testing shall be performed
by a qualified contractor acceptable to the Fire Department.
(2)
The owner shall submit to the Fire Department a record of the annual
inspection and testing of the private fire hydrant no later than October
1 of each year and shall also submit the record of any required correction
or repair within ten days of such work. The owner shall retain a copy
for at least two years.
With respect to any fire hydrant located on private property,
the owner of the property shall:
A.
Ensure that access to the fire hydrant is not impeded and that the
area surrounding the fire hydrant is kept clear.
B.
Fire hydrant shall be painted in accordance with the requirements
of the Fire Department and the paint color maintained. In addition,
the Fire Department may require the installation of reflective tape.
C.
In the event that a private fire hydrant is impaired or otherwise
not fully functional, the owner shall install a tag on the fire hydrant
identifying the nature of the impairment and the date the impairment
was identified. In addition, the owner shall immediately notify the
Fire Department of the impairment and when the impairment is expected
to be corrected.
Any person violating the provisions of this article shall be
subject to the following:
A.
For the first violation, a fine of not less than $500 and not exceeding
$2,000 shall be imposed.
B.
A second violation within one year of the date of the previous violation
shall result in an additional fine as a repeat offender. The additional
fine imposed by the court for a repeat violation shall be not less
than the minimum of $1,000 or exceed the maximum fine of $2,000, but
shall be calculated separately from the fine imposed for the new violation.
C.
Any person convicted of a violation of this article may, in the discretion
of the court, and in default of the payment of any fine imposed therefore,
be imprisoned in the Atlantic County Jail for a term not proceeding
90 days and be required to perform community service for a period
not exceeding 90 days.
D.
A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or
on which a violation occurs or continues.
