Hydrant Maintenance

HYDRANT MAINTENANCE

1. Responsibilities of FDNY Units

  • To ensure the reliable performance of the NYC hydrant system during fire and emergency operations, field units of the FDNY are responsible for:
    • Inspection and maintenance of hydrants in their administrative areas.
    • Responsibilities include:
    • Semi-annual inspection of all hydrants.
    • Prompt reporting of defective hydrants discovered during any activity.
    • Oversight of proper placement of hydrant caps, including spray caps as requested by the public.
  • Company commanders must maintain a current map of all hydrants in their company's response area.
  • It is illegal for the public to open or use a fire hydrant without a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
    • All units must shut down illegally opened hydrants, unless doing so could precipitate an incident.
    • Notify the Police Department when necessary.

2. Hydrant Inspection

  • Every hydrant must be inspected twice per year.
    • Inspection periods are as follows:
    • Spring Hydrant Inspection Period: March 1st – June 1st
    • Fall Hydrant Inspection Period: September 1st – December 1st
    • Inspections must take place between 0930 and 1700 hours.
  • Company commanders are responsible for scheduling inspections to ensure completion of all inspections.
    • Battalion commanders may specify additional inspection periods as necessary.
  • If a company commander believes the inspection will not be completed by the end of the period:
    • Submit a letterhead report to the Borough Commander via the chain of command for assistance.
  • Inspection procedures include:
    • Opening hydrants to ensure they are serviceable and can provide water.
    • Thoroughly flushing the hydrant to remove any debris from the barrel.

3. Hydrant Operational Checks and Issues

  • If a hydrant fails to drain, it must be pumped out to prevent freezing in winter months.
  • If no hydrant cap is on the hydrant, one should be placed if available.
    • Caps will be supplied to FDNY units by the DEP, and can be obtained through their Division.
  • FDNY units will use the Hansen Hydrant application (via FDNY Intranet) to record inspections and report defective hydrants.
    • Defective hydrants include:
    • Unserviceable hydrants (e.g., broken spindle)
    • Hydrants that fail to drain
    • Hydrants requiring a cap
    • Hydrants with any other defects.
  • Report frozen hydrants to the responsible FDNY Thawing Apparatus via the Hansen Hydrant System.
  • Hydrant cards (BF-47A) must be filed in company quarters until further notice.

4. Defective Hydrant Reporting

  • When a hydrant is detected as defective during emergency response:
    • Use the Hansen Hydrant System to report the defect.
    • If the hydrant is outside the company’s administrative area, notify the administrative company of the defect.
    • A white disc must be placed on unserviceable hydrants.
  • Hydrant discs must be:
    • Painted with the company number.
    • Placed as follows:
    • White discs: unserviceable hydrants (available in 4 ½” and 2 ½” sizes).
    • Yellow discs: frozen hydrants (also available in 4 ½” and 2 ½” sizes).
    • Note: Blue discs are for sprinkler and standpipe systems, not for hydrants.

5. Repair Ticket Procedures

  • Completed DEP repair tickets must be emailed to the appropriate administrative company detailing:
    • Date and nature of repairs performed.
    • Upon receipt of a DEP repair ticket, the officer must inspect the hydrant:
    • If satisfactory, remove the hydrant disc.
    • If still defective, report via the Hansen Hydrant application, providing specific instructions in the "Comments" section.

6. Priority Repairs

  • A repair must be indicated as a “Priority Repair” in the Hansen Hydrant System under the following criteria:
    • A hydrant that is the only one serving a block and is out of service.
    • A hydrant vital for high-profile or critical infrastructure locations.
    • If two adjacent hydrants in a block are both out of service, they are both classified as priority repairs.

7. Hydrant Spray Cap Program

  • The Fire Department distributes spray caps during summer to provide heat relief while reducing water consumption.
  • DEP delivers hydrant caps and spray caps to Divisions, and requests can be made through the chain of command.
  • Steps for interacting with the public requesting a spray cap:
    1. Ensure the requester is at least 18 years old.
    2. Complete the "Request for Spray Caps" form (CD-58) available on the Intranet.
    3. Provide the “Spray Cap Permit/Instructions” sheet (CD-59).
    4. The officer reviews documents and informs the applicant about turning on the hydrant.
    5. Schedule the unit to shut off the hydrant during the 6 x 9 tour and remove the spray cap.
  • Restrictions on spray cap usage:
    • Not allowed on hydrants with mains larger than 20 inches, that are red or yellow, on two-way streets, near intersections, on bus routes, or accessing major traffic arteries.
    • Usage allowed only from 1000 hours to 2100 hours.

8. Carrying Spray Caps

  • Units must carry spray caps on their apparatus.
    • Officers should consider placing a spray cap when shutting down hydrants used for heat relief.
    • Fill out a Request for Spray Caps Form for recordkeeping purposes.

9. Annual Hydrant Pressure Reading

  • All engine and squad companies take pressure readings on hydrants nearest their quarters during the first full week of May each year:
    • Record readings at 1000 hours, 1300 hours, 1600 hours, 1900 hours, and 2200 hours on the "Hydrant Pressure Chart" (form CD-65).
    • This chart should be displayed in the housewatch area.

10. Low Water Pressure Procedures

  • Implemented upon the transmission of a 65-2, with Borough Commanders having authority from 0800 - 1600 hours on weekdays.

  • Phase I - "Water Pressure Alert" Procedures:

    • Starting at 1000 hours, record pressure hourly until 2200 hours.
    • Battalion Chiefs physically survey their districts to note illegally opened hydrants with unit assistance as needed.
    • Notify Deputy Chiefs of pressure readings and recommend Phase II as necessary.
    • Deputy Chiefs inform Borough Commander/Command Chief with updates on readings and illegally opened hydrants.

  • Phase II - "Water Pressure Emergency" Procedures:

    • Repeat the procedures from Phase I, continuing to patrol and document activity.
    • Record details in a "Water Pressure Emergency/Hydrant Shutoff Report" (form CD-64) when shutting down hydrants.
    • Officers must notify Battalion of key data like number of illegally opened hydrants, shut down hydrants, spray caps placed, and areas with low pressure.
    • Battalion Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs provide updates periodically on incidents and actions taken across units.