Fire Hydrant Testing Service
Fire hydrant testing is important for both fire protection and general public health. Adequate water pressure is, of course, required for firefighting, but it also prevents backflow that could otherwise contaminate the public water supply. The National Fire Protection Association’s guide for fire hydrant testing, NFPA 291, states that hydrants should be tested every five years. This examination should be performed either by professional contractors or qualified city officials.
Fire Hydrant Testing Services
Fire hydrant testing is important for both fire protection and general public health. Adequate water pressure is, of course, required for firefighting, but it also prevents back-flow that could otherwise contaminate the public water supply.
The NFPA’s guide for fire hydrant testing, or NFPA 291, states that hydrants should be tested every five years. This examination needs to be performed either by professional contractors or qualified city officials.
Fire Hydrant Repair
Fire hydrants can be subject to all sorts of problems from worn gaskets to leaks. Various components can strip or bind, making a fire hydrant difficult to use in potential emergencies.
Road widening and landscaping might even affect ground levels surrounding fire hydrants, requiring the hydrant to be raised or lowered.
Fire Hydrant Services
Fire hydrants themselves are merely valves that supply water. There is no mechanic to increase or decrease pressure; simply put, fire hydrants can only be on or off.
The fire hydrant is a vital aspect of fire safety. Fire trucks generally have enough water to begin fighting fires, but fire hydrants allow firefighters to tap into the local water supply. Because of their importance and the fact that some fire hydrants are so rarely used, they must be tested and inspected regularly to ensure they can respond properly in an emergency.
Fire Hydrant Color Code
Public fire hydrants are classified according to their flow by both the American Water Works Association and The National Fire Protection Association’s guide for fire hydrant markings and testing (or NFPA 291) and are suggested to be colored accordingly.
GPM = “gallons per minute”
Class AA
1500+ GPM
Blue Top and Nozzle
Class A
1000 – 1049 GPM
Green Top and Nozzle
Class B
500 – 999 GPM
Orange Top and Nozzle
Class C
Below 500 GPM
Red Top and Nozzle
Since these are guidelines, not laws, the color schemes may vary. That said, many municipalities have adopted the NFPA’s system.
