(a) Public Fire Hydrant. For the purposes of this chapter, a public fire hydrant is defined as a fire hydrant directly connected to a public water main designed to provide fire protection services for the health, safety and welfare of the general public. No person, except the officers of the Public Works Department or their duly authorized agents, or the Fire Chief and members of the Fire Department in case of fire or regular drill of the Fire Department, shall open any fire hydrant or remove any cap or caps from the same. In every case where fire hydrants are open for the uses specified above, the valves shall be carefully closed and the drip examined to see that it is in good working order, and the caps properly replaced. In case the working of any fire hydrant is defective, the party so closing the same shall report the defects to the Director of Public Works forthwith.
(1957 Code §911.18)
(1957 Code §911.18)
(b) Private Fire Hydrant.
(1) For the purposes of this chapter, a private fire hydrant is defined as a hydrant connected to a private water main. All private fire hydrants shall be constructed in accordance with the Public Works Standards.
(2) In order to ensure the public health, safety and welfare, it is the private hydrant owner's responsibility to ensure hydrants are visible, accessible and in working condition at all times in accordance with the current edition of the National Fire Prevention Association Standard 25 for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems and the Oberlin Fire Prevention Code. All inspection, testing, maintenance and repairs shall be performed by a professional, licensed by the State of Ohio.
(3) Members of the Fire Department may enter onto private property at any time for the purpose of performing fire flow testing on a private fire hydrant. The City shall not be liable for any damage or harm occurring in connection with the performance of fire flow testing of a private fire hydrant when the damage or harm is proximately caused by failure of the private fire hydrant.
(Ord. 08-39AC. Passed 8-25-08.)
(Ord. 08-39AC. Passed 8-25-08.)