N.J. Admin. Code § 5:70-2.26

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024

Section 5:70-2.26 - Removal of snow from fire hydrants; installation of fire hydrant markers

(a) The governing body of a municipality may adopt an ordinance requiring the clearing of snow covering or obstructing fire hydrants, requiring the installation of fire hydrant locator poles, or both.

(b) Hydrant marker poles shall be installed on all working fire hydrants within the jurisdiction.

1. Hydrant marker poles shall be:

i. Of a type, color, construction, and mounting arrangement approved by the fire chief;

ii. Of sufficient length to allow easy identification by firefighting personnel following snow events;

iii. Of contrasting colors, or equipped with retroreflective striping to provide visual conspicuity during all lighting conditions;

iv. Of a flexible design to withstand flexing and movement, while remaining substantially vertical;

v. Constructed of corrosion resistant materials; and

vi. Securely fastened to the hydrant(s), in a manner so as not to restrict or reduce the effective use of such hydrants.

2. The ordinance in (a) above shall contain provisions for the continued maintenance and/or replacement of hydrant marker poles required in this section.

3. All new fire hydrants installed shall be equipped with typical hydrant markers as provided in this section.

(c) Clearing of snow shall be as follows:

1. Hydrants shall be cleared a minimum of 36 inches in all directions, including access path necessary for the connecting of hose lines and operation of the hydrant.

2. Fire hydrants shall be cleared of snow within 24 hours of coverage.

3. In the event additional snow is deposited around a cleared hydrant after initial clearing by plowing or subsequent storm activity, an additional 24-hour period may be granted to remove the additional accumulation.

i. Responsibility for clearing hydrants may be assigned to:

(1) The owner of any real property abutting said hydrant(s);

(2) A municipal department specified in the ordinance; or

(3) The owner of the water system/hydrant.

ii. Failure to perform under (c)3i above shall result in the following.

(1) If the responsible party fails to comply in the specified time, the municipality of any department thereof may perform the clearance and bill the responsible party not more than $ 75.00 for the service.

(2) The ordinance may contain provisions to provide relief from these requirements for certain persons physically incapable of performing this task.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:70-2.26

Adopted by 50 N.J.R. 729(a), effective 2/5/2018