Blog

Why Are Fire Hydrants Different Colors?

April 8, 2024|fsstechnologies

The eye-catching colors of a fire hydrant are hard to miss, whether you’re walking through a city or driving around a neighborhood. What many don’t realize, however, is that these colors are integral in helping emergency responders identify and assess their available resources when preparing to fight a fire. Fire hydrant colors are distinct to make them stand out and provide information to those who need to inspect or use them. Learn how fire hydrants are classified and what their colors represent.

null

How are fire hydrants classified?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes and updates various codes and standards to help formalize how fire safety system elements are installed, inspected, and used. NFPA 291, Recommended Practice for Water Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants, is the specific standard that addresses why and how hydrants should be classified and marked. Along with other NFPA codes, NFPA 291 helps promote and unify fire safety standards for commercial and residential settings.

When a new building or structure is built, fire codes require the area’s water supply to meet a specific fire flow. The NFPA defines fire flow as the “flow rate of a water supply, measured at 20 psi residual pressure, that is available for firefighting.” This rating is usually calculated based on the needs of a single building, but it can often include allowances to provide support if a fire spreads to nearby structures.

Factors that additionally influence fire flow include:

  • Area of the building
  • Fire resistance ratings
  • Type of construction
  • Occupancy of the structure
  • Presence of fire sprinklers

Based on this requirement, one large-capacity hydrant or several lower-capacity hydrants may be needed to meet a structure’s fire flow, but they rarely appear in immediate clusters. Public fire hydrants in residential areas are often spaced out every 800 feet, and each hydrant must be within 600 feet of a dwelling. In commercial settings with a higher concentration of people in a smaller area, fire hydrants must be within 400 feet of a building and no more than 500 feet away from other hydrants.

With a structure’s fire flow in mind, the main factor that determines how a fire hydrant is classified is its rated capacity. Measured in either gallons or liters per minute (gpm or L/min), the rated capacity of a hydrant is what determines its classification into one of four categories: AA, A, B, and C. Once a fire hydrant is inspected and tested for capacity, it’s painted in a specific set of colors with optional additions to convey its specifications to first responders.

null

What do the different colors mean?

Generally, NFPA 291 recommends that the barrel of a fire hydrant be painted yellow. Reflective paint is an additional benefit for emergency responders who need to identify available hydrants at night or in low lighting. If an entire fire hydrant is painted red or yellow, it is either a privately owned hydrant or a public hydrant in a jurisdiction that has previously adopted a different set of color guidelines.

When looking at a fire hydrant, the color of its top and side parts relays critical information to firefighters. Sometimes called the bonnet, the top part of a hydrant is painted a specific color to indicate the flow capacity available. The caps on each connection are also painted the same color, so the barrel of the fire hydrant is different from its tops and caps. These are the four colors recommended by the NFPA and what they indicate.

A fire hydrant with a light blue top and caps is categorized as a class AA hydrant. These hydrants offer the highest water flow rate for firefighters, with a minimum flow of 1,500 gpm or 5,700 L/min. Due to the vast amount of water available, these hydrants are the best resources for fighting fires in large properties or multi-story buildings.

A fire hydrant painted with a green top and caps is a class A hydrant. The water flow rate for these hydrants ranges from 1,000 to 1,499 gpm or from 3,800 to 5,699 L/min, meaning they can cover the standard fire flow of most structures.

Orange paint on a fire hydrant identifies it as a class B hydrant. These flow rates range from 500 to 999 gpm or 1,900 to 3,799 L/min, so they’re better suited for residential settings or smaller structures.

A fire hydrant with red paint on its top and caps falls in class C, with a maximum flow rate of 500 gpm or 1,900 L/min. Because these are the weakest of the four classes, class C fire hydrants may need to be used in groups to meet a structure’s fire flow.

While the NFPA standardizes these color schemes, NFPA 291 does include notes for several exceptions to its guidelines. In general, these color codes are recommended for public fire hydrants. The code specifies that private hydrants can be marked at the owner’s discretion in a private area. However, if a private hydrant is located on a public street, the NFPA recommends that it be painted red or another color besides yellow to differentiate it from public hydrants.

Additionally, some jurisdictions or municipalities can choose to adopt a different set of colors for their fire hydrants. Colleges and universities, for example, often use their official school colors to decorate fire hydrants on their campuses. In these instances, local fire departments can find additional markings on the hydrants or receive a guide from the institution’s facilities department on their hydrants’ classifications.

Cities may also opt for specific colors that do not align with the guidelines in NFPA 291. Most commonly, local municipalities will paint the barrel of a fire hydrant with the indicator color instead of the top and caps. Silver and white are widely used as a substitute for yellow as well.

null

Are there other guidelines for fire hydrant markings?

In addition to the recommended color schemes, the NFPA outlines some guidelines for how additional information can be conveyed on a fire hydrant:

  • Temporarily out-of-service fire hydrants should be wrapped, covered, or otherwise marked unusable.
  • Permanently inoperative fire hydrants should be removed.
  • Fire hydrants tested below the threshold of 20 psi should have their rated pressures stenciled in black on their tops.
  • Class AA fire hydrants may have their rated capacities stenciled on the tops to ensure they’re conveyed to first responders.
  • Groupings of fire hydrants may benefit from markings that designate the group-flow capacity.

Regardless of whether you follow the NFPA’s color choices, any fire hydrant must be tested and inspected regularly to ensure it works properly in an emergency. With FSS Technologies, staying on top of your commercial fire safety system is a breeze. Our service technicians can help you prepare for fire inspections, from ensuring your fire hydrants are cleared and marked to checking your building’s interior for common fire safety violations. Additionally, we can assess your building’s interior and exterior systems while referencing NFPA standards for commercial fire protection to attain or maintain your company’s fire code compliance. Contact us today to get started.

Explore Our Other Blogs

FSS_DecBlog_OPT_SmartHomeAgingAdults_Hero

Smart Home Technology for Aging Adults

Alzheimer’s Awareness Around 75% of seniors want to stay in their homes as they age, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), even if they need day-to-day assistance or have ongoing health issues like early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.8 million Americans are living with the disease, and by…

Continue reading
cctv-vs-ip-Hero-min

What is the Difference Between Analog and IP Cameras in a CCTV System?

When you are considering different security systems and potentially implementing surveillance cameras into your home or business, a big question is whether you want IP or analog cameras. Global Market Insights estimates that the IP camera market will be worth more than 20 billion by 2025. With today’s technology both IP and analog systems can be viewed…

Continue reading
Hero-afterbreaki-min

What to Do After a Break In

No one ever wants to be victimized by a burglar, but the fact is that many will encounter a theft or break-in at some point in their lifetime. A recent study by Bankrate shows that there are over 1 million burglaries in the United States each year, with a new burglary happening approximately every 26…

Continue reading
FSS_2022_DoYouKnowAlarm_Hero-min

Do You Know How Your Alarm System Communicates?

What is alarm monitoring? One of the most sought-after features for residential and commercial security systems is 24/7 alarm monitoring. Monitored security systems are connected to a central monitoring facility with staff who review tripped alarms, verify emergencies, and contact relevant emergency services. Monitors generally reach at least two phone numbers connected to a residence…

Continue reading
Blogs-LowesIris-min

Lowe’s Iris Line Goes Under

Many consumers are seeing red with the recent news that big-box retailer Lowe’s is shutting down service to its Iris smart home platform. Lowe’s launched its Iris cloud service in 2012 so it could sell its own smart home products to the public. Customers with an Iris smart hub, the heart of the network, could…

Continue reading
holiday-safety_Hero

Holiday Safety Tips for Homes and Businesses

With the holiday season right around the corner, burglars are on the lookout for unguarded homes or businesses to prey on. Unlike the Grinch, holiday robbers don’t often have a heart that grows three sizes, making it more important than ever to protect your valuables and your loved ones.  Our security experts have come up…

Continue reading
cctv-without-internet-hero-min

Will CCTV Work Without Internet?

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is a TV system where the signal isn’t publicly broadcast but is watched and monitored, usually for surveillance and security purposes. From city streets and highways to retail stores and banks, CCTV cameras are placed in most places to protect property and deter crime. Learn whether a commercial CCTV system can work…

Continue reading
Livly-Hero

Livly: A Modern Residential Community Experience

The Livly property and tenant management system is one of the most cutting-edge and all-inclusive apartment app experiences available today. The system offers low-cost technology and fully integrated experiences that pair well with a variety of existing property management systems. As a proud partner with Livly, FSS Technologies offers this trusted technology solution for both…

Continue reading
components-security-system-Hero-min

What are the Components of a Security System?

Security systems can vary widely in size and scale: from simple home alarms and small business surveillance systems to commercial-grade intrusion and detection systems. One system could even be comprised of enterprise-level networks that stretch across multiple locations. Understanding the essential components of a security system is the best way to start your search for…

Continue reading
Hero-codes

7 NFPA Codes Every Business Should Know

Business owners have an enormous responsibility to ensure their employees and customers are protected from fire hazards. Companies in industries like manufacturing and property management each face unique challenges in preventing fires and meeting code requirements. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of the world’s leading experts in fire and life safety, has published…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us