These regulations are adopted and implemented to achieve the
following general purposes and objectives:
A.
To set forth standard criteria for the specification and location
of fire hydrants installed throughout the municipality of Unity Township.
This standard applies to all fire hydrants, including dry hydrants
and wall hydrants; and
B.
To regulate the intentional or unintentional obstruction, damage
or misuse of fire hydrants.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Accepted by or approved by the Township officials.
A permanent piping system, normally used for drafting or
as a support device for interior water distribution devices.
A valved connection on a water supply system having one or
more outlets and that is used to supply hose and Fire Department pumpers
with water.
The Latrobe Municipal Authority or the Municipal Authority
of Westmoreland County or their successors.
Any new line, extension of an existing line or replacement
of an existing water line having a diameter of six inches or greater.
Any actual or fake fire hydrant or any object which is not
connected to an adequate water supply and could be mistaken for a
serviceable fire hydrant due to its shape, color, appearance or location.
Multiple structures or subdivision developments constructed
on a parcel or parcels under the ownership, control or development
by an individual, a corporation, a partnership or a firm.
An accessway normally intended for vehicular use and not
dedicated as a public street.
Any thoroughfare which has been dedicated for vehicular use
by the public.
Any fire hydrant used to supply water to a fire department
for the purpose of supporting firefighting operations.
A.
Any subdivision plan, planned building group or any site plan presented
to the Township for approval shall provide details of the location
of all fire hydrants. The fire hydrants provided for can either be
installed immediately at the cost of the contractor or the appropriate
funds can be placed in escrow with the Treasurer of the Township of
Unity, the same to be erected at such time as sufficient houses are
built within 660 feet of the same; provided, however, that should
they be installed immediately, then an escrow fund to ensure the payment
of the tax to be levied thereon, covering the payment due on the fire
hydrants for the first three years, shall be established by the contractor
prior to the approval of any plan.
B.
All municipal water line extensions installed along roadways within
the Township, whether installed by the municipal authority, private
contractors or municipality, shall be required to locate a fire hydrant
every 1,200 feet along the extension. Such extensions shall have the
first hydrant placed at the point of tap onto the existing line. If
an existing hydrant is located within 1,200 feet of the extension
tap point, the first hydrant can be located at a point measured 1,200
feet from said existing hydrant, but in no case shall fire hydrants
be located further than 1,200 feet from the next closest hydrant.
Additional hydrants shall be required every 1,200 feet thereafter.
This rule shall apply to all public or private water line extensions
with a diameter of six inches or greater.
C.
Fire hydrants for areas of multifamily and commercial structures
shall be installed within 500 feet from the structure but not less
than 50 feet from the structure.
D.
All commercial structures with standpipes and/or sprinkler systems
must have a hydrant installed within 200 feet and not less than 50
feet from the Fire Department connection.
E.
All fire hydrants located in parking areas shall be protected by
barriers that will prevent physical damage from vehicles without obstructing
hydrant operations.
F.
All fire hydrants shall be located no less than six feet and no more
than eight feet from the curb or edge of the paved surface throughout
the Township.
G.
Fire hydrants shall not be supplied by lines of less than six inches
in diameter.
H.
No person other than those authorized by the Township or the Water
Authority shall paint any fire hydrant.
I.
Ornamental fire hydrants shall not be located in any yard location
where they can be mistaken for a serviceable hydrant used for fire
protection.
A.
Only approved fire hydrants installed to water authority specifications
shall be installed as part of the fire protection system within the
Township of Unity. All fire hydrants shall contain three service outlets.
One outlet shall be National Standard Thread sized 4.5 inches terminating
with a male thread and cap. There shall be 2.5 inch outlets terminating
the male thread and caps. The thread size for the 2.5 inch connections
shall be consistent with the connections of the fire department that
services the area.
B.
It shall be the responsibility of the installer to ensure the hydrant
is fitted with the correct thread for the service area. Any changes
necessary will be the responsibility of the installer.
When infrastructure is being installed, and prior to the location
and construction of buildings or portions thereof, the water supply
for fire protection, either temporary or permanent, shall be made
available prior to delivery of combustible materials. Temporary water
supplies must be approved by the Unity Township Ordinance Officer.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to reduce the effectiveness of
operation of any serviceable fire hydrant by obstructing in any way
the access to any connection.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause damage to or misuse
any serviceable fire hydrant so as to prevent or restrict its operational
effectiveness.
C.
It shall be unlawful for a serviceable fire hydrant to be used for
any reason other than its intended use of public fire protection unless
written permission has been received from the Unity Township Ordinance
Officers or the Municipal Authority.
D.
It shall be unlawful for any person or property owner to allow bushes,
shrubbery, trees or other types of vegetation to grow large enough
to obstruct from clear view a serviceable fire hydrant as seen from
the street or roadway.
