The following are the requirements of NFPA 25, Standard for Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.
Private fire hydrants should be flow tested annually to clear any foreign material from their service main so they can maintain clean pipes that will not cause blockage or worse yet – a hydrant explosion.
It also allows Inspection, Maintenance and Testing vendors an opportunity to identify potential problems before they get worse by testing different areas within your water system’s network map.
The items below are an overview and not a comprehensive list of everything that should be completed for private fire hydrants. For more information, please contact your local hydrant inspector or NFPA 25 (National Fire Prevention Association).
Inspection
- Inspect annually.
– After each operation if located indoors/outdoors, etc.
– At least once every 3 years on exposed piping such as pipes running up against building’s exterior walls.
– check underground lines per 7.2 .2 2 regularly.
Testing
All fire hydrants need to be tested annually, and water flow must continue for one minute after opening each hydrant.
Exposed piping should only take 60 minutes before draining fully while underground pipes may require an hour or more depending on their size. The reason for this is because they’re not designed with enough space (above ground) that could hold all the moisture coming out during heavy rains. These can cause some flooding problems in certain areas if there’s no natural outlet for it.
Hydrants shall be opened full force every year. Flow tests reveal any clogging situations immediately so preventive maintenance saves time (and money!). When testing exposed mains lines at least once every five years.
Maintenance
The fire department keeps a close eye on its hydrant maintenance. All water valves and disconnects should be inspected annually for proper operation, as well as snow removal from the top of hydrants to prevent damage during storms or other weather-related events.
Failure to do so could result in freezing water that would break free at any moment causing an explosion if not dealt with immediately upon discovery. This includes both private property owners who install their own taps into public utility lines.
Brazas Fire Inspects and Tests Privately-owned Fire Hydrants
We make sure they follow NFPA 25, checking for damage like missing caps or improper height; we also replace any leaking gaskets as necessary during our visit. Flow measurements can be taken at each hydrant which will determine how much water flows through them per minute (gallons per minute).