The following is from the 2021 Wildland-urban Interface Code and should be considered best practice.
- The point at which a water source is available for use shall be located not more than 1,000 feet (305 m) from the building and be approved by the code official. The distance shall be measured along an unobstructed line of travel.
- To qualify as a draftable water source, surface water may need to be approved by the code official (typically connected with the local fire department). This is especially true if water levels may experience significant seasonal fluctuations.
- A photo should be included of the hose connection at the hydrant or similar water supply to help ensure that firehoses will have compliant connections.
- Man-made lakes and reservoirs sometimes experience seasonal drawdowns for actions like bulkhead repair. This can limit their use for firefighting.
What’s the difference between a wet and dry barrel hydrant?
“Wet” and “dry” mean whether the barrel of the above ground hydrant (standpipe) holds water or not after use. With dry hydrants, water in the barrel will drain back into the water source when the firehose is disconnected.
