Introduction to Fire Hydrant Failings
ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -There were two different fires at Latham Village Apartments and a home on Congress Street in Cohoes this March. Both had a fire hydrant that failed, forcing firefighters to resort to the next closest option. NEWS10’s Anthony Krolikowski spoke with local fire chiefs and a water commissioner about how they protect their cities.
Causes of Fire Hydrant Failings
“We had on Congress Street, we had hydrants hooked up and we went to go to a second hydrant for more water and the seal broke,” stated Chief Joseph Fahd of Cohoes. His firefighters went to a third hydrant, which stretched their lines around 250 feet away. Chief Fahd said the typical Northeast weather causes water mains to break and hydrants to fail all the time. But it’s not the only reason. “Most of the hydrant problems you have are either knocked over by a driver with a car accident or the weather. So as soon as the hydrant is found to be defective, we turn it into the water department.”
Maintenance of Fire Hydrants
The Cohoes Water Department checks in on its hydrants once a year by flushing them out and greasing their fittings and the fire department helps where they can. It’s a similar situation in Albany; Albany Water is also in charge of all 3,547 of its hydrants. They are around 300 to 400 feet away from each other. Testing typically happens in the warmer months. “Our goal every year is to try to inspect at least 500 of these hydrants, pressure test them,” explained Joe Coffey, Water Commissioner. “In a perfect world, we’d inspect every hydrant every year but again that’s staff limited and resource limited.” Albany Water does test hydrants in more populated areas and near schools and hospitals more frequently.
Advice from Fire Chiefs
No matter the location, Chief Joseph Gregory of Albany have some advice: “We always stress in the wintertime is to shovel around the hydrant. That helps to access that hydrant in the event of an emergency. In the summertime, people may not think of it but you’ll see them plant shrubbery which disguises the hydrant location.” Anyone who comes across a fire hydrant that appears to be leaking or damaged is asked to contact the local public works department.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fire hydrant failings are a significant concern for cities in the Capital Region. The causes of these failings can be attributed to various factors, including weather conditions and accidents. To mitigate these issues, water departments and fire departments work together to maintain and inspect fire hydrants regularly. It is essential for residents to be aware of the importance of fire hydrant maintenance and to report any damaged or leaking hydrants to the local public works department.
FAQs
Q: What causes fire hydrant failings?
A: Fire hydrant failings can be caused by various factors, including weather conditions, accidents, and lack of maintenance.
Q: How often are fire hydrants inspected?
A: Fire hydrants are typically inspected once a year, with more frequent testing in populated areas and near schools and hospitals.
Q: What can residents do to help maintain fire hydrants?
A: Residents can help by shoveling around hydrants during the winter and avoiding planting shrubbery that may disguise the hydrant location.
Q: Who should I contact if I find a damaged or leaking fire hydrant?
A: You should contact the local public works department if you find a damaged or leaking fire hydrant.
