PRINTER'S NO. 1856
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
787
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY DUSH AND SCHWANK, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
AN ACT
Amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for installation of dry
hydrants.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 74 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 97
INSTALLATION OF DRY HYDRANTS
Sec.
9701. Definitions.
9702. Dry hydrant installation required.
§ 9701. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Bridge." A State-owned, new or existing bridge under the
jurisdiction of the department.
"Department." The Department of Transportation of the
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Commonwealth.
"Historic resource." A building or structure, including a
covered bridge, which:
(1) has been in existence for more than 100 years,
including partial or complete reconstruction of a building or
structure originally erected at least 100 years ago; or
(2) has been listed on the National Register of Historic
Places or the Pennsylvania Register of Historic Places.
"Occupied structure." Any structure, vehicle or place
adapted for overnight accommodation of an individual or for
carrying on business within the structure, vehicle or place,
whether or not an individual is actually present.
§ 9702. Dry hydrant installation required.
(a) Requirement.--When a bridge that crosses a body of water
is built, modified or rehabilitated, the department shall
install a dry hydrant if an installation site exists that meets
all of the conditions specified under subsection (b) .
(b) Conditions.--The requirement imposed on the department
under subsection (a) shall only apply if all of the following
conditions are met:
(1) The body of water in which the dry hydrant will be
installed is able to provide 250 gallons per minute for a
continuous two-hour period during a 50-year drought or freeze
at a vertical lift of 18 feet.
(2) The dry hydrant will be located within 25 feet of an
all-weather roadway and will be accessible to fire protection
equipment.
(3) The dry hydrant will be located within 800 feet of
at least one inhabited, occupied structure or historical
resource.
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(4) The installation of the dry hydrant would improve
the fire prevention or fire suppression capabilities of the
community as determined by the Fire Suppression Rating
Schedule or a similar criteria on the effective date of this
paragraph.
(c) Multiple locations.--If there are multiple locations
that meet all of the conditions specified under subsection (b) ,
the department shall install the dry hydrant at the location
which is closest to the roadway.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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