SusanK5 (Utah)
Posts: 30
Posts: 30
Posted:
We are having some water issues and I have been told by our water company to flush the hydrants. The gentleman I talked to said the hydrants belong to us. Does anyone have any insight on this issue?
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Fire Hydrants
Started by SusanK5 • 8 replies • 1897 views
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JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219
Posts: 4,219
Posted:
Hi Susan:
Before you touch the fire hydrants I would check with your local fire department. This might be something you cannot do, but they could possibly do this for your HOA. It would depend on your local ordinances with regards to who can or cannot operate fire hydrants.
Before you touch the fire hydrants I would check with your local fire department. This might be something you cannot do, but they could possibly do this for your HOA. It would depend on your local ordinances with regards to who can or cannot operate fire hydrants.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Our fire department flushes and checks our fire hydrants a few times a year. They should be responsible and have the correct tools.
Former HOA President
JonD1
Posts: 2,350
Posts: 2,350
Posted:
Susan:
Who did you talk to who told you these hydrants were yours?
And who do you get your water from? Water department? Public or private?
Our fire department does not service our hydrants but I know the local water department does service other properties that are located in the village they serve. Check with any possible agency that might either do the work or point you in the right direction.
IF it is determined you do in fact own the hydrants and require them to be flushed the service can be provided by many fire equipment companies. Check your local yellow pages for fire sprinkler service companies and fire equipment service and I am sure you will find one that can perform this service
When we have ours serviced this includes lubricating the valves, and pressure testing the hydrant so it in fact supplies adequate pressure to fight fires.
Depending on the size of your property and numbers of hydrants the cost is affordable. For our property with 6 hydrants a few hundred dollars.
Good luck
Who did you talk to who told you these hydrants were yours?
And who do you get your water from? Water department? Public or private?
Our fire department does not service our hydrants but I know the local water department does service other properties that are located in the village they serve. Check with any possible agency that might either do the work or point you in the right direction.
IF it is determined you do in fact own the hydrants and require them to be flushed the service can be provided by many fire equipment companies. Check your local yellow pages for fire sprinkler service companies and fire equipment service and I am sure you will find one that can perform this service
When we have ours serviced this includes lubricating the valves, and pressure testing the hydrant so it in fact supplies adequate pressure to fight fires.
Depending on the size of your property and numbers of hydrants the cost is affordable. For our property with 6 hydrants a few hundred dollars.
Good luck
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569
Posts: 1,569
Posted:
Many developements have 'hydrants' whish are actually connected to 2-4" supply branch 'mains' down 'local' streets ... they are ACTUALLY flushing hydrants, and are (generally) painted YELLOW.
A true FIRE HYDRANT would have a 'full-bore' 6" connection to a 6-10" water supply main and would be painted RED.
Do we still like our McMansions?
If flushing hydrants -> call your water department/agency.
If actual fire hydrant -> call your fire department.
This can become a 'can of worms' for fire insurance purposes as every policy issued asks for your distance from a fire hydrant ... !
...... retired pipefitter/sprinklerfitter/plumber/volunteer FF
A true FIRE HYDRANT would have a 'full-bore' 6" connection to a 6-10" water supply main and would be painted RED.
Do we still like our McMansions?
If flushing hydrants -> call your water department/agency.
If actual fire hydrant -> call your fire department.
This can become a 'can of worms' for fire insurance purposes as every policy issued asks for your distance from a fire hydrant ... !
...... retired pipefitter/sprinklerfitter/plumber/volunteer FF
SusanK5 (Utah)
Posts: 30
Posts: 30
Posted:
Hello Everyone
Thanks for all of your responses. Our water here is provided by the city. I spoke to an engineer there who told me we own the fire hydrants. I did contact our management company and they also manage the community right by ours...the city does not service the hydrants and the fire department won't either. We either have to hire someone or do it ourselves.
Thanks for all of your responses. Our water here is provided by the city. I spoke to an engineer there who told me we own the fire hydrants. I did contact our management company and they also manage the community right by ours...the city does not service the hydrants and the fire department won't either. We either have to hire someone or do it ourselves.
JonD1
Posts: 2,350
Posts: 2,350
Posted:
Susan:
I would avoid doing this yourself. There are tools and euipment needed to do a complete job. As I mentioned you should have the pressure and flow measured to make sure in the event of a fire you do in fact have adequate water supply.
Make a few calls to fire equipment service companies and ask them for a price and breakdwon of what their service would provide.
Good luck.
I would avoid doing this yourself. There are tools and euipment needed to do a complete job. As I mentioned you should have the pressure and flow measured to make sure in the event of a fire you do in fact have adequate water supply.
Make a few calls to fire equipment service companies and ask them for a price and breakdwon of what their service would provide.
Good luck.
JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219
Posts: 4,219
Posted:
Hi Susan:
I agree with JonD ... he stated earlier it was only a few hundred dollars to check quite a few hydrants in his HOA. A fire service company would have the necessary tools and meters to insure everything completed correctly and meets all standards.
I agree with JonD ... he stated earlier it was only a few hundred dollars to check quite a few hydrants in his HOA. A fire service company would have the necessary tools and meters to insure everything completed correctly and meets all standards.
JonD1
Posts: 2,350
Posts: 2,350
Posted:
Susan:
One last suggestion. As I don't know the layout or size of the water district that serves your property I would suggest you notify your water supplier as to when this work will be performed.
When the hydrants are opened they might see a drop in pressure on their system and would make life easier for them knowing you had opened a hydrant. If not due to an unexpected and unexplained change in pressure and loss of water the water department might beleive they have suffered a leak. Might avoid a problem.
Let us know how you make out.
One last suggestion. As I don't know the layout or size of the water district that serves your property I would suggest you notify your water supplier as to when this work will be performed.
When the hydrants are opened they might see a drop in pressure on their system and would make life easier for them knowing you had opened a hydrant. If not due to an unexpected and unexplained change in pressure and loss of water the water department might beleive they have suffered a leak. Might avoid a problem.
Let us know how you make out.
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