IRRIGATION SYSTEM - EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
( August 16, 2016)
1. This plan only relates to a “SERIOUS BREAK” in the irrigation system. For the purposes of this plan, a serious break is defined as one involving SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE. This would include the following sudden events:
a. any water entering any part of the interior of a home including the garage
b. significant amounts of water entering an in-ground pool
c. valve stuck open with water running nonstop.
d. Major erosion of soil or lake edge embankment.
2. A serious break is NOT:
a. water striking the exterior of a home or the porch, patio, or deck
b. water striking a car
c. water flooding a lawn or flower bed
d. loss of significant amounts of water
e. water causing minor erosion of soil
These are mentioned here because in the past members have called Board members at their homes after mid-night to complain about such irrigation problems.
3. When a BLE resident or others discover a serious break they should immediately call the following until they personally reach a person (ie no emails). Voice mails or texting are acceptable but only with a 3 minute response). The attempted calls should be in the following order:
a. C&S –Janet Fernandez at 941-758-9454 (24 hour Answering Service)
b. Chairman of the MC (Tice)
c. Any Board member
4. The Chairman, Board members, and C&S will have an on-call list for MC members and other volunteers. Once they are notified of an emergency, then they shall immediately call the “on call” person on that list. If the list has expired or they are unable to personally reach the on call person, then they should call the above listed persons in the order above until they reach a person who can immediately deal with the problem.
5. The on call person should personally identify the correct valve or timer, which ever is applicable, and turn it off. They should then notify ASAP , if appropriate, the following persons in any order:
a. Chairman of the MC.
b. C& S (e-mail to Fernedez - )
c. President of the HOA
d. The affected BLE members
These persons can be notified by voice mail or email if appropriate.
6. The MC members should already be familiar with the Irrigation System components and the Irrigation System spread sheet that will identify affected BLE members.
7. MC members should remember that if the break is between the main valve and a timer box, then a main valve must be shut off, not a timer. Also, if the valve is stuck open and can not be turned off, then the entire system must be turned off at the main shut off.
8. Subsequent repairs will be made ASAP in accordance with other policies and HOA rules. For example broken sprinkler heads must be repaired at the cost of the BLE member and in a timely fashion. The “on call” MC member should follow-up to ensure that the problem is corrected ASAP. The MC Chairman and the President should be immediately notified if problems are encountered in correcting the break in the system.
9. Obviously, if the person who originally discovers the problem is willing and able to immediately turn off the system at the appropriate point, then they can and should do so, then follow the above protocol. MC members should have purple marking flags and head caps.
10. This Emergency Response Plan has been approvedby the Board. C&S and West Bayhavebeen notified of its approval and implementation.
11. The BLE members have been advised of their responsibilities on the BLE website and in many cases in person by the MC Chairman. They were advised that in the event of a major break, they need to call C&S , the MC Chairman, or a Board Member in that order until they reach a person , ie. no emails. They were told what constitutes a “major break”.
Randy Tice
President, BLE Board of Directors
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