Fire Hydrant Requirements (10)

78-543, PBG Code of Ordinances

Residential Fire Hydrants (single family, duplex or two-family)

  1. Shall be connected to water mains at least 8 inches in diameter.
  2. Connection to dead-end stubs may be acceptable providing the required fire flow can be achieved.
  3. In NO CASE shall residential hydrants spacing exceed 500 feet measured along the roadway.
  4. Buildings intended for occupancy shall not be located more than 250 feet in distance from the nearest hydrant.

Non-Residential and Multifamily Residential

  1. Shall connect to water mains of adequate size as determined by the City engineer.
  2. Shall be spaced no further than 300 feet apart as measured along the roadway.

 NFPA 1, Fire Code 2015 Edition, 18.5

Testing and Maintenance

Private water supply systems shall be tested and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.

Accessibility

Fire hydrants and connections to other approved water supplies shall be accessible to the fire department.

Clear Space Around Hydrants

  1. A 36 in. (914 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants except as otherwise required or approved.
  2. A clear space of not less than 60 in. (1524 mm) shall be provided in front of each hydrant connection having a diameter greater than 21∕ 2 in. (64 mm).

Protection

Where required by the AHJ, fire hydrants subject to vehicular damage shall be protected unless located within a public right of way.

NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2013 Edition, 6.4.5.4

Fire department connections (FDC’s) shall be located not more than 100 ft (30.5 m) from the nearest fire hydrant connected to an approved water supply.

 NFPA 24: Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances, 2013 Edition, 7.3.3

The center of a hose outlet shall be not less than 18 in. (457 mm) above final grade or, where located in a hose house, 12 in. (305 mm) above the floor.

NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems 2014 Edition, 7.1.1.

  1. The minimum requirements for the routine inspection, testing, and maintenance of private fire service mains and their appurtenances.
  2. Annual inspection and testing to include flowing the hydrant.
  3. Annual maintenance to include lubrication to ensure that all stems, caps, plugs, and threads are in proper operating condition.