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SECTION 1 - GENERAL CONDITIONS

1.1       INTRODUCTION

1.2       PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1.3       METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION AND COMPLIANCE

1.4       CONTRACTOR NOT AGENT OF AUTHORITY

1.5       GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - SEWER EXTENSIONS

1.6       SEWAGE FACILITIES PLANNING MODULES SUBMISSION

1.7       CONTRACTORS (DEVELOPERS) AGREEMENT

1.8       WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS

1.9       MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING FACILITIES

1.10     FLOOD CONDITIONS

1.11     MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC

1.12     RIGHTS-OF-WAY CROSSINGS

1.13     INTERFERENCE WITH UTILITIES AND STRUCTURES

1.14     ELECTRIC POWER LINES

1.15     PROPERTY RESTORATION

1.16     BLASTING

1.1      INTRODUCTION 

1.1.1      All contractors, developers, consulting engineers, architects and other firms, corporations, associations, persons, or individuals, hereinafter collectively called the Contractor, involved in the construction of sanitary sewer systems to be connected to The McCandless Township Sanitary Authority system, hereinafter called the Authority, shall read and take notice of this document.

1.1.2      Those costs payable by the Contractor shall be in accordance with the latest version of Schedules A and B as furnished by the Authority.

1.2      PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1.2.1      This document sets forth the minimum design and construction standards for acceptance by the Authority of all sanitary sewers and appurtenances to be connected to the Authority's system.  This document presents the minimum standards for design and construction of gravity sanitary and service sewers, pumping stations, force mains and appurtenances.  Standards for design and construction of waste water treatment facilities and alternatives to gravity sewers are not presented in this document.

1.2.2      The minimum standards described herein establish the general criteria to be used to review, approve, and if constructed in accordance with the approved design, accept the sanitary sewers as part of the Authority's system.  The Authority reserves the right to request, at its discretion, additional data, tests, drawings, details, or other such information as it deems necessary to judge the adequacy or acceptability of any sewer extension.

1.2.3      Achievement of minimum standards for construction of sanitary sewers and appurtenances by Contractor does not insulate Contractor against any claim or defense which may be brought by the Authority with respect to such sanitary sewers or appurtenances.

1.3      METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION AND COMPLIANCE

1.3.1      The Contractor is to supervise all of the construction work and is responsible for the means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures of construction and for safety precautions and programs incident thereto and for compliance with all rules, regulations or laws of all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over design and/or construction of such facilities.

1.3.2      Prior to initiating construction, the Contractor shall comply with all the requirements of the Authority as defined in the "Rules and Regulations Governing Sewage Service".

1.3.3      All sanitary sewer extensions shall be consistent with the Official Sewage Facilities Plan (Act 537 Plan) for the Town, Township or Borough in which the extension is constructed.

1.3.4      All sanitary sewers and appurtenances shall comply with the requirements of, and shall be approved by (if necessary), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, the Allegheny County Department of Health, and all other required agencies.

1.3.5      The Contractor shall comply with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Regulations for Excavations and Constructions.  The Contractor shall file the required notification with the Bureau of Inspection, Department of Labor and Industry prior to starting work on this project.  A pre-construction conference shall also be held with the Department Inspector.

1.3.6      It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to devise and implement a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan in conjunction with the completion of the work.  The provisions of this plan shall be in accordance with the requirements of the "Soil Erosion and Control Manual" of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  The Contractor shall, prior to commencing with the work, schedule a meeting with the Allegheny County Conservation District for the review and approval of the final Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan.   

The Authority assumes no responsibility in assuring that the Contractor adheres to the approved Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan, and as such, any fines and/or violations shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

1.3.7      Where the construction work is across, along or through rights-of-way, roadways, streets or alleys, belonging to the State, County, Municipality or utility companies, the regulations and stipulations set up and required by those OWNERS shall be observed, and all work shall be in conformance with the requirements set forth by that OWNER.  Any and all permits required for opening roadways or streets shall be obtained by the Contractor at the Contractor's expense.  The cost of all inspection required by those OWNERS shall be borne by the Contractor.

1.3.8      Sheeting, solid shoring and/or bracing shall be utilized in excavations, where necessary or required, to protect existing or proposed structures, pipe lines or other facilities, pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and where necessary or required to prevent injury to construction personnel and other persons and property.  All systems of sheeting, shoring and bracing shall be designed and installed by the Contractor for materials and depths encountered and shall be adequate to withstand the loads to be imposed and superimposed.  Materials and design for the sheeting, shoring and/or bracing shall be in conformance with the regulations prescribed by any Federal, State or local agency having jurisdiction over the work.  The Contractor shall be fully responsible for the adequacy of the system to withstand all loads thereon and shall save harmless the Authority and Engineer from any and all personal and property damages resulting from his failure to properly provide and maintain sufficient sheeting, shoring and bracing. 

Trench excavation shall be in strict conformance with OSHA Regulations regarding the selection of 1) sloping and benching systems, and/or 2) support, shield or other systems.  A registered professional engineer's certified design calculations will be required for protective systems where trench depth is greater than 20 feet, in accordance with paragraphs 1926.652 (b) and (c) of the Regulations.  In addition, a professional engineer's certification and usage specification for trench shoring/shielding systems or sloping of trenches will be required where the trench depth is 20 fee or less in accordance with Subpart P of the Regulations.  The professional engineer must be registered in the state where the work is performed.

1.3.9      In keeping with the "Project Environment" that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has undertaken for the decade commencing with the year 1970, the Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) and the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) require conformation with practices which will alleviate pollution of the atmosphere, the ground, and all waters.

The Contractor's attention is also directed to the following:

A.    Air Pollution Control Act, of January 8, 1960, P. L. 2119, as amended.

B.    Clean Streams Law, the Act of June 22, 1947, P. L. 1987, as amended.

C.    Solid Waste Management Act, Act No. 241 of July 31, 1968, as amended.

The Contractor is advised that he/she shall acquaint himself/herself with and shall abide by all provisions of the aforementioned Acts, as well as any other Federal, State and local legislation which applies to the Contractor's specific project.

1.4     CONTRACTOR NOT AGENT OF AUTHORITY

1.4.1      No Contractor involved in the construction of sanitary sewers to be connected to the Authority's system, except those specifically retained by the Authority by virtue of a properly executed construction contract, shall be considered to be an agent, employee, or assign of the Authority.

1.4.2      The Contractor shall be fully responsible and liable for, and shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Authority, its Engineer, employees, or representatives from all claims, and shall pay all legal costs incident to claims for personal or property damage arising from construction of sanitary sewer extensions.

1.5     GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - SEWER EXTENSIONS

1.5.1      All sanitary sewer extensions shall be designed by and bear the seal of an Engineer registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

1.5.2      Five copies of proposed sanitary sewer extension designs shall be submitted to the Authority along with five copies of the design report.

1.5.3      All sanitary sewer extensions shall be constructed according to plans approved by the Authority's Engineer.

1.6      SEWAGE FACILITIES PLANNING MODULES SUBMISSION

1.6.1      Following the initial meeting with the Authority and other governmental agencies, the Contractor shall submit the completed Sewage Facilities Planning Modules.

1.6.2      The necessity for the preparation and submission of Planning Module Components to the PaDEP is determined by the following criteria:

A.    If the flow from the proposed building (s) is equal to or greater than 800 gallons/day then the modules are required.  A single family dwelling (or equivalent dwelling unit) has been established at 400 gallons/day/EDU.  In other words, if two homes are to be constructed, then the total flow equals 800 gallons/day; thereby requiring a module.  For other types of establishments (non-residential), the PaDEP Chapter 73 may be used to determine the total flow from the building.  If the total flow is under 800 gpd then the modules are not necessary. An individual, single connection of house or on existed deeded parcel of property does not require the submission of modules.

B.    If a subdivision of property has taken place, or where two or more parcels of property have been combined to become a single parcel, then the submission of modules is necessary, regardless of the amount of flow.  Even if the flow is under 800 gpd.

C.    If an existing building is demolished and the identical tap is utilized for a new building, then only the net increase in flow will be calculated as the need to submit modules.

As an example; if an existing home is torn down, which contributes 400 gpd and a new office building is proposed with a total flow of 700 gpd, the net increase in flow is only 300 gpd.  Thereby, no modules are necessary.  However, if a subdivision of property has occurred (in accordance with 2. above) then modules are necessary.

1.7      CONTRACTORS (DEVELOPERS) AGREEMENT

1.7.1      The Contractor shall enter into an agreement with the Authority in which the Authority will agree to take over the sanitary sewer system for maintenance and ownership, if the system is approved by the Authority.  Such approval being based on compliance with the specifications, rules and regulations contained within this manual.  A sample form of the agreement is included in Appendix 2.

1.8      WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS

1.8.1      All sanitary sewers shall be of the conventional gravity flow type.

1.8.2      All equipment and materials installed by the Contractor shall be guaranteed by the Contractor and manufacturer to be free from defects in design, materials, and workmanship for a period of eighteen (18) months following the installation of said equipment and materials.  Equipment and materials which prove to be defective or which show undue wear within eighteen (18) months of acceptance in the opinion of the Authority's representative, shall be replaced without cost to the Authority.

1.9      MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING FACILITIES

1.9.1      The Contractor's attention is directed to the fact that any and all existing facilities must be maintained in continuous operation throughout the course of the work.  To that end, he/she shall so schedule his/her work as to avoid interruptions in the operation of the present facilities.

1.9.2      Should it prove impossible to avoid an interruption of the present facilities, the Contractor shall notify the Authority of the intended start and duration of the interruption at least seven (7) days in advance, and shall receive written approval for the interruption before causing any of the existing facilities to be taken out of operation.  Before the facility is taken out of operation, the Contractor must have all materials, equipment, tools, plans, etc. to complete the work at hand.   The Authority shall decide, and its decision shall be final, in regard to whether the equipment, tools, plans, etc., at hand are adequate to complete the work. If so directed, the Contractor shall work around the clock on that portion of the work which necessitated the interruption. 

1.10    FLOOD CONDITIONS

1.10.1    It shall be the Contractor's responsibility to take whatever measures he/she deems necessary to protect the facilities from damage due to flood waters during the construction stage and until such time as they are formally accepted by the Authority.

1.11    MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC

1.11.1    On all streets and roads, unless otherwise permitted by the Engineers, the Contractor shall maintain not less than one lane of traffic at all times.  The stipulation regarding traffic, however, shall conform to the Authority having jurisdiction over the highway in question.  All necessary barricades, flashing lights, flagmen, night warning signs and flares and other items of traffic control and safety shall be provided and maintained in working order by the Contractor.

1.12    RIGHTS-OF-WAY CROSSINGS

1.12.1    Where the Contractor must construct sewers underneath transportation utility installations, such as main highways and other similar locations where the authorities having jurisdiction over the work will not permit open cutting for the installation of the sewer, or where full traffic is required to be maintained, the Contractor shall make the installation by method generally outlined under the section entitled "Jacking and Boring."

1.13    INTERFERENCE WITH UTILITIES AND STRUCTURES

1.13.1    It is the responsibility of the Contractor to contact the owners of the various utilities in this area, prior to starting work, and also during construction, and determine the exact location of any structures, gas or water mains, electric conduits, sewer lines, and all service lines the utilities may have along the route of the work so that the Contractor may locate and protect them, whether or not such gas and water mains, electric conduits, sewer lines or service lines are shown on the plans.

1.13.2    The Contractor assumes all responsibility and liability for all property damage and bodily injury that may result from his/her damaging or disturbing any subsurface lines regardless of the nature or purpose of the structure.  The Contractor must comply with all provisions and requirements of PA Act No. 172 (which amended PA Act No. 287) (HB-2543).

1.13.3    The Contractor shall be responsible for all damages to utilities, structures, power lines, gas, water and drain lines, sewers, etc., that may result from his/her operations and shall restore same to their original conditions as soon as possible and prior to completion of his contract.  Water, sewer, gas and power service to dwellings or places of business shall be maintained with a minimum of interruption throughout the program of  construction.  No service shall be interrupted without the approval of the utility company concerned and without first giving due warning to the occupant of said dwelling or business establishment.

1.14    ELECTRIC POWER LINES

1.14.1    The Contractor is hereby notified that at many locations the proposed work may be in close proximity to overhead high voltage power lines.  It is the Contractor's responsibility to take such precautions as are necessary or required and to inform his/her personnel and his/her subcontractors of and enforce all safety rules and regulations when working near such power lines.  The Contractor assumes all responsibility and liability for all property damage and bodily injury that may result from his or his subcontractor's personnel contacting directly or indirectly the overhead high voltage electric lines.

1.15    PROPERTY RESTORATION

1.15.1    The Contractor shall be responsible for all damages to private properties, structures, fences, lawns, landscape plantings, sidewalks, etc., that may result from his/her operations and shall restore same to their original condition as soon as possible and prior to completion of his work.

1.16    BLASTING

1.16.1    No blasting shall be done without first notifying the Authority and Engineer and appropriate Federal, State and local government agencies.  The Authority reserves the right to prohibit blasting where, in its opinion, it is not warranted.   

Generally, the Contractor will not be permitted to blast where Federal, State or Local government law prohibits, or where adjacent existing utility structures and other new or existing facilities are endangered by such an operation in the opinion of the Authority.  Where blasting is permitted, all blasts shall be covered with heavy timbers, chained together, or with suitable metal mats.  The amounts of explosives used shall be such that nearby properties and facilities are not damaged and persons in the vicinity of the blast are not endangered.  The Contractor shall take out and maintain, during the period of his blasting operations special liability and property damage insurance to cover blasting operations and shall notify all governmental agencies as required by law.  No explosives shall be delivered to the site until proof of such insurance coverage is delivered to the Authority.  If a special bond is required by Federal, State or Local government agencies covering the blasting operations its cost shall be paid by the Contractor.

1.16.2    All  blasting shall be done by licensed blasters and the Contractor shall conform to all Federal, State and Local laws and regulations regarding transportation, storage and use of explosives.

1.16.3    The Contractor shall be fully responsible and liable for all personal and property damage incurred as a result of his/her use of explosive and blasting operations regardless of whether or not he has complied with such Federal, State and/or Local laws and regulations.