According to the PA Fire Code, you are responsible for the fire hydrants on your property. Like other components of your fire protection system, your fire hydrants must be inspected and tested regularly. This ensures they work as designed.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), O.S.H.A., your insurance provider, and your local building inspectors require you to perform monthly and annual inspections in accordance with the codes and standards of NFPA. Did you know that under the NFPA 291 and your insurance requirements your fire hydrants must be:
- Inspected every six months, and after each use
- Kept clear of obstructions and readily accessible for use by firefighters
- Clearly identified
NFPA 291 also sets standards for fire flow testing and marking fire hydrants.
Your annual fire hydrant inspection should include:
- A visual check for leaks and rusting before and after flushing the hydrant
- A full tear down to look for internal damage, gasket, and tread conditions
- Replacing components, if required
- Testing for adequate, sustained water pressure and proper drainage
- Painting the hydrant, if needed
- Lubricating the nozzle caps
You can trust our fire protection technicians to thoroughly inspect and test your fire hydrants and all related components. We tell you if there are any deficiencies. As a full-service fire protection company, we maintain and repair your fire hydrants upon request.
Fire Hydrant Inspection Requirements
MAINTENANCE
- Hydrants must be maintained in operating condition
- Any attachments or connections to a fire hydrant require a permit from the fire department and municipality
- An area with a one-meter radius around the hydrant must be kept clear of obstructions. The hydrant must be readily visible from the approaching roadway
- Hydrants must be readily accessible for use by firefighters
INSPECTIONS & REPAIRS
- Every six months and after each use
- Hydrant caps are in place and caps with worn, rusted or obstructed threads, which might hamper easy removal, shall be repaired or replaced.
- Water accumulation in barrels as a result of a leaking main valve, or a plugged or damaged drain valve
- Leaking main valves and plugged or damaged drain valves. If it is impractical to repair drain valves or if they are intentionally plugged, ensure any accumulated water does not freeze.
- Flush fire hydrants every 12 months with the main valve and any outlet valves fully opened.
RECORDS
- Type, capacity, color, location, and maintenance of each fire hydrant requires approval from the fire department.
- Keep records of inspections and tests on the hydrants for the fire department to check during its inspection.
In addition, to allow firefighters to quickly assess a hydrant’s capacity, NFPA 291 sets out the color code for painting fire hydrants.
To schedule your fire hydrant test, call one of our fire protection specialists today….
Cutting Insurance Rates with
Improved Fire Protection Programs
Your insurance policy is the number one driving factor in making the Life Safety decisions of your business. There is no cut rate insurance plan for life safety. You either meet the codes or you don’t. Your business protection and payment on claims depends on it. Additionally, it is up to the business owners to ensure all life safety inspections are completed and ensured compliant by qualified service providers. Insurance companies are not in business to pay claims, but rather focus on keeping businesses safe with claim avoidance. That’s where we come in.
ALL ABOUT RISK
Your life safety program is an extension of your business insurance policy. All of the mandated inspections and services performed lessen the risk associated with your business. This directly reflects in your premium rates. Count on us to meet the minimum requirements and maximize the reduction of risk. This benefits both your business health and your bottom line. The principle is the same as having an anti-theft device in your car. If you have one, you’ll get better rates. We work directly with your insurance provider to maximize your savings based on this same principle.
RATE ASSURANCE
Our exclusive Rate Assurance Program guarantees maximum insurance savings, eliminates claim issues, and enables your Life Safety Protection Program to pay for itself. National Fire Safety has the respect from insurance companies, contractors, building officials, fire marshals, and more. We train them at our own state of the art training facility. Now that’s Respect!
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412.491.2020
