508.5 Private Fire Hydrant Systems

Private fire hydrant systems shall comply with the requirements of FC 508.5.1 through 508.5.6.

Where the front entrance of a building is more than 250 feet (76.2 m) from a hydrant on a public street, as measured by an approved route, private fire hydrants and mains shall be provided as required by the commissioner.

Private fire hydrant systems shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the commissioner. Private fire hydrant systems shall be maintained in good working order at all times and shall be repaired when defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall comply with approved standards.

The department may periodically inspect and test private fire hydrant systems, at the risk of the owner, for proper operation and unobstructed flow of such hydrant system.

Private fire service mains and water tanks shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25 at the following intervals:

1. Private fire hydrants (all types): Inspection annually and after each operation; flow test and maintenance annually.
2. Fire service main piping: Inspection of exposed, annually; flow test every 5 years.
3. Fire service main piping strainers: Inspection and maintenance after each use.

Posts, fences, vegetation, rubbish containers, vehicles and other items shall not be installed, planted, placed, parked or stored near fire hydrants, fire department connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would obscure the location of such fire hydrants, connections or valves, or that would hinder immediate access thereto by firefighting personnel.

A 3-foot (914 mm) radius clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants to allow unobstructed operation of the hydrant operating nut, except as otherwise required or approved.

Where fire hydrants are subject to impact by motor vehicles, posts that comply with the requirements of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection shall be installed. Notwithstanding the requirements of FC508.5.5, these posts may be installed no less than 2 feet (610 mm) from the hydrant if they do not obstruct the use of a 24-inch (610-mm) wrench on the hydrant operating nut.