[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Franklin as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-5-1986 as Title Four, Ch. VII of the 1986 Code;
amended in its entirety 4-4-2022 by Ord. No. 04-22]
A.Â
It shall be the duty of the Municipal Services Department,
in cooperation with the Fire Department, to test all public fire hydrants.
The City shall ensure that all Private hydrants are maintained in
accordance with this article. The City shall ensure that all hydrants
are in proper working condition at least once annually. Fire hydrants
will also be flushed at least once annually during this time.
B.Â
Such tests shall be completed by an employee of the
Municipal Services Department.
C.Â
Public hydrants are hydrants that are adjacent to a public way, Planning
Board approved subdivisions and the City's public hydrant inventory
list. Public hydrants may be located on a City right-of-way or easement.
Public hydrants are connected to the City of Franklin's pressurized
water system.
D.Â
Private
hydrants are hydrants that are located on private property and intended
for fire protection for the property and buildings. Private hydrants
are connected to the City of Franklin's pressurized water system.
E.Â
The testing,
maintenance and repair of public hydrants will be the responsibility
of the Municipal Services Department.
F.Â
It will
be the responsibility of the property owner of the private hydrants
to test, maintain and repair if necessary. This will be in accordance
with Table 7.2.2.5, "Wet Barrel Hydrants" of the NFPA 25 2014 Edition
(Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems). Testing is to be completed in conjunction
with the hydrant compliance confirmation form, provided by the Municipal
Services Department.
All privately owned hydrants found to be operating
improperly shall be repaired and placed in proper working condition
as soon as possible. Public hydrant repairs will be the responsibility
of the City of Franklin. Private hydrant repairs will be the responsibility
of the property owner.
A.Â
The private
hydrant owner will provide the annual records of testing, maintenance
and repair (if needed) to the Municipal Services Director. Testing,
maintenance and repair must be conducted by a qualified professional;
or
B.Â
The private hydrant owner will pay the associated fee found in Chapter 160 of the General Legislation labeled under "Fire Hydrant" to the City of Franklin. This fee will ensure the required testing is conducted annually in conjunction with public hydrants as performed by the Municipal Services Department. It will be the responsibility of the private hydrant owner to repair any worn or broken components of the hydrant. Fees will be assessed for each hydrant located on a property.
