As used in this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases
shall have the following meanings unless it is apparent from the context
that a different meaning is intended:
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
An agency designed to plan and prepare for any form of disaster
that threatens the well-being of any person or location.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
An individual who is responsible for technical and administrative
duties that help with emergency management programs for institutions
such as municipalities, private companies, government agencies, and
more.
FIRE COMPANY(IES)
All members and equipment of the New Kingstown Fire Company
and Silver Spring Community Fire Company; or additional companies/resources
who follow under the same principles.
HYDRANT
A fixture which may have public or private water supply in
a street or other public place with a nozzle by which a hose may be
attached to a water main.
PRIVATE HYDRANT
A fire hydrant situated and maintained to provide water for
firefighting purposes with restrictions for its use limited to a certain
defined property or properties. A fire hydrant that is not within
the public right-of-way or is owned by a person or entity other than
the Township.
PUBLIC HYDRANT
A fire hydrant so situated and maintained as to provide water
for firefighting purposes without restrictions as to use. The location
is such that it is accessible for immediate use of the Fire Department
and it is not a private hydrant.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Silver Spring, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Unobstructed access to fire hydrants shall always be maintained
except when obstructed by the accumulation of snow and/or ice. The
Fire Department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate
access to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants.
A three-foot (914-millimeter) clear space shall be maintained
around the circumference of fire hydrants and Fire Department connections
(FDC) except as otherwise required or approved.
Responsibility for properly maintaining a private fire hydrant
shall be that of the owner of the property, or the owner's designee
on which a private hydrant is located shall properly maintain the
private fire hydrant. Responsibility for maintaining a public fire
hydrant shall be that of the water service provider. In accordance
with the following:
A. Where the owner of a private/public fire hydrant has designated an
occupant, management firm, or managing individual, through specific
provisions in the lease, written use agreement, or management contract,
to be responsible for the inspection, testing and maintenance of a
fire hydrant in accordance with this chapter, the owner and owner's
designee shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and shall
be subject to enforcement of this chapter in the event of a failure
to so comply.
B. By means of yearly inspections, tests, maintenance, correction, and
repair, every fire hydrant shall be maintained in proper working condition,
consistent with this chapter, the NFPA Standard, and the manufacturer's
specifications or recommendations.
C. Inspection, testing, maintenance, correction and repair shall be
implemented with the procedures meeting or exceeding those established
in this chapter and the NFPA Standard and shall be in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications or recommendations. This chapter
shall control in the event of a conflict among any of the applicable
standards. Inspection, testing, maintenance, correction, and repair
shall be performed by qualified maintenance personnel or a qualified
contractor. A yearly inspection shall be done on or before October
1 of every year unless approved otherwise.
D. The owner or owner's designee shall notify the Township of Silver
Spring before testing or shutting down a fire hydrant or its water
supply.
(1) This notification shall include the purpose for the shutdown, the
fire hydrant involved, and the estimated time that the hydrant will
be impaired.
(2) The owner or owner's designee shall notify the Township when
the fire hydrant is returned to service.
E. The owner or owner's designee shall promptly correct or repair
any deficiencies, damaged parts, or impairments of any fire hydrant
of which the owner or owner's designee has knowledge or, in the
exercise of reasonable care, ought to have knowledge.
F. The owner or owner's designee shall submit to the Emergency
Management Agency a record of the annual inspection, test, maintenance,
correction and repair of each fire hydrant and its components. Records
shall indicate the procedure performed concerning the inspection,
testing, maintenance, correction, and repair of a hydrant. Such records
shall include the organization that performed the work, the results,
and the date, as well as such other pertinent information.