HB 0615 2004
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to fire hydrants; requiring owners of
3	private fire hydrants to contract with licensed
4	professionals or local fire control authorities to inspect
5	and service such hydrants; providing for imposition of
6	fines for noncompliance; providing an effective date.
7
8	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
9
10	Section 1. (1) A person who owns a private fire hydrant
11	must ensure that the hydrant is installed in compliance with the
12	provisions of National Fire Protection Association Standard 24,
13	Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and
14	Their Appurtenances, and that it is inspected and maintained in
15	compliance with the provisions of National Fire Protection
16	Association Standard 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing,
17	and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, the
18	edition currently adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to
19	its code adoption and standards adoption authority in chapter
20	633, Florida Statutes. A person who owns a private fire hydrant
21	must produce, upon request of the fire official, a valid and
22	continuing maintenance contract with a plumbing contractor
23	licensed under chapter 489, Florida Statutes, an underground
24	utility contractor licensed under chapter 489, Florida Statutes,
25	or, if the private hydrant is part of a fire suppression system,
26	a fire protection contractor licensed under chapter 633, Florida
27	Statutes. Upon failure to produce a valid maintenance contract
28	as provided in this section, the owner must contract with the
29	local government fire control authority that serves the property
30	where the fire hydrant is located to inspect and service the
31	fire hydrant annually.
32	(2) A person who violates this section commits a
33	noncriminal violation, punishable by a fine not to exceed $100
34	for a first offense or $250 for each subsequent offense.
35	Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2004.