The property owner where a privately owned fire hydrant exists must provide to the Hammond Fire Department the following:
(A) Contact.
(1) A 24-hour contact number to report issues with a hydrant.
(2) Seventy-two-hour repair of any hydrant found in non-operating or defective condition.
(B) Specifications.
(1) Fire hydrant specifications. Must meet specifications set forth by the Hammond Water Department; and
(2) The large diameter (steamer) connection shall be either 4.34-inch (Hammond threads) or 5-inch Storz fitting. The two smaller connections shall be 2.5-inch NST threads.
(3) If connected to the municipal water system, the barrel of the fire hydrant shall be painted red (to easily identify a private hydrant); if connected to a private water system (non-potable supply) the barrel of the fire hydrant shall be painted violet (to identify a private hydrant connected to a non-potable water supply) with the top (or cap) bonnet painted to conform to NFPA Standard 291 or local (Hammond Water Department) fire hydrant flow rate colors.
(a) Hammond water flow color markings:
1. Less than 500 GPM = Red;
2. 500 to 999 GPM = Yellow;
3. 1,000 to 1,499 GPM = Green;
4. Greater than 1,500 GPM = Blue.
(b) NFPA Standard 291 water flow color markings:
1. Less than 500 GPM = Red;
2. 500 to 999 GPM = Orange;
3. 1,000 to 1,499 GPM = Green;
4. Greater than 1,500 GPM = Blue.
(4) If the private fire hydrant is connected to a fire pump to augment water supply or pressure, the exposed operating stem on the top of the fire hydrant shall be painted white.
(C) Out of service hydrants.
(1) Notification must be made to the fire department of any fire hydrants taken out of service for repair or maintenance and reported back in service to the fire department when repaired (by calling the fire department during normal business hours, after hours contact Lake County Central Communications at 219-660-0000).
(2) Existing hydrants cannot be permanently taken out of service without the written permission of the Fire Inspection Bureau.
(3) Fire hydrants permanently taken out of service must be painted black or removed.
(D) Annual testing and maintenance.
(1) Fire hydrants shall be operationally checked and flushed (until they run clear) by a licensed plumber in April and October of each year. In October of every year, a licensed plumber needs to check every private fire hydrant on your property, in your ownership, to ensure that they are drained and not full of water after the operation check. If the hydrant is full of water, it needs to be pumped out and drained by a licensed plumber. This requires removing the 4-inch nozzle and pumping down the water in the hydrant. Do not open the hydrant or the adjacent valve.
(2) Fire hydrants shall be flow tested annually by a licensed plumber to determine the available flow from the hydrant and the residual pressure. The test results shall be provided to the fire department and the Hammond Water Department on an annual basis. The color markings on the hydrants must conform to the annual flow test results.
(a) Test results shall be include the hydrant location, the results of the flow test (static pressure and GPM flow).
(b) A statement that the fire hydrant bonnet is painted to the color of the corresponding flow.
(c) If the hydrant is connected to a fire pump or a private water system the statement must reflect the fire hydrant is painted in accordance with those requirements. The physical location (GPS coordinates are preferred) of the fire hydrant must be provided to physically identify the fire hydrant and its location.
(d) Results must be received by the fire department no later than November 15 annually.
(E) Source. National Fire Protection Association Standard (NFPA) 291.
(F) Penalty. Section 10.99 Hammond Municipal Code.
(Ord. 9424, passed 11-20-2018)