Protecting life and property
A fire hydrant is a vital piece of firefighting equipment designed to provide a readily available source of water for firefighters to combat fires. Typically, they are installed in the ground near roadways or in public spaces.
Firefighters rely on fire hydrants to access a strong, local water supply. However, if the nearest hydrant on a public footpath is too far from the building, an additional hydrant may need to be installed on private property. These are referred to as privately owned fire hydrants and must be installed and tested by a qualified fire hydrant contractor.
Firefighters connect the fire engine to the hydrant using a hose, with another hose connecting to the property to utilize the new local water source. This allows them to deliver water more effectively and with greater force to combat the fire.
The responsibility for fire hydrants on private property falls to the property manager or owner, such as the landlord or facilities manager. They are legally required to maintain the hydrant and ensure it remains operational.
The installation and upkeep of privately owned fire hydrants are regulated by British Standards and Building Regulations, specifically BS9990:2015. This requires that Fire hydrants are tested & inspected annually to verify the hydrants flow rate, pressure, and general operation. This ensures that, in the event of a fire, the fire brigade has access to fully functional equipment to help save lives. The visibility and condition of the hydrant pit itself is inspected and the location and visibility of the H plate is checked.
