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Township emergency coordinator outlines dry hydrant specifications, costs and siting concerns
Summary
Phil Hobel briefed the commission on dry hydrant standards, existing installations and estimated supply costs (~$1,100), and raised concerns about access, potential new hookups and permitting under the Dam Safety Encroachment Act (Chapter 105). Commissioners discussed coordination with fire chiefs and liability protections for property owners.
At the May 20 meeting, Township Emergency Management Coordinator Phil Hobel presented technical guidance and siting recommendations for dry hydrants in Lynn Township.
Hobel described installed systems using 6‑inch schedule 40 PVC with an appropriate fire department connection (FDC). He said elevation change should be no more than 20 feet (10 feet or less preferred) and that the strainer must sit at least 2 feet above the pond bottom and 2 feet below the water surface. Hobel reported the township currently has six dry hydrants (two in the Lynnport fire district, four in New Tripoli’s district). He also noted a single non‑pressurized black hydrant tapped to an 80,000‑gallon tank at the Townhomes and a separate pressurized system of six yellow hydrants rated at 500–999 gallons per minute.
Hobel estimated supplies for a dry hydrant at about $1,100, excluding the threaded FDC, excavation and labor. He said local emergency planners (LCA) recommended limiting simultaneous withdrawal to no more than 3,000 gallons because the single well‑fed tank level is not monitored. Commissioners and staff raised practical concerns: parking on narrow roads that can block fire‑truck access, lack of yellow curb painting or signage near hydrants, and enforcement of parking restrictions.
Harold Handwerk suggested having each fire chief meet with Planning Commission members to determine the most accessible locations; Perry Long asked whether property‑owner liability was a concern and suggested a “hold harmless” agreement. Fritz Najarian offered to contact the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission about installing a dry hydrant at the Pleasure Ct. access. Hobel noted that permitting for installations falls under the Dam Safety Encroachment Act, Chapter 105, administered by DEP.
No formal motion or vote was recorded on installation policy; the discussion focused on mapping, owner permission and interagency coordination.
