OP 15 - Inspection Of Domestic & Private Fire Hydrants (05)

Question 0

Will block inspections be scheduled for the month of hydrant inspections?

Answer 0

No.

Question 1

When will fire hydrant inspections be done?

Answer 1

During the assigned month of your respective station. Each station will receive their hydrant cards the month prior to their inspection month.

Question 2

When will hydrant inspections begin during their assigned month?

Answer 2

1st day of the month. Conducted 7 days a week, weather permitting, to insure all hydrant are checked during the assigned month.

Question 3

What should BC’s do when arranging hydrant inspections?

Answer 3

Ensure that only 1/2 the assigned companies are performing hydrant inspections at one time. BC’s can also utilize the night tours to expedite completion.

Question 4

When will FCC announce weather conditions? And when will hydrant inspections NOT be performed?

Answer 4

FCC will announce weather at 0805 & 1205 hrs. Hydrant inspections will not be performed when weather is below 40 or above 85 degrees.

Question 5

Will companies return to their station whenever a 2nd alarm is dispatched?

Answer 5

Yes.

Question 6

What will companies do if they are not going out on hydrant inspections?

Answer 6

Notify their BC or DC if BC is unavailable. The only exception to notifying is when inspections have already been completed for the year.

Question 7

What must a company do upon completing all hydrant inspections?

Answer 7

The engine captain will forward a memo through channels to TSU.

Question 8

Can BC’s cancel a companies hydrant inspections?

Answer 8

Yes. Ex. For training or fire prevention activities.

Question 9

Who is responsible for coordinating hydrant inspection at the company level?

Answer 9

Engine captain.

Question 10

What do company officers do with completed hydrant inspection cards at the end of each day?

Answer 10

Forward the completed cards to Research & Planning of TSU. Completed hydrant cards are not to be held at the company level.

Question 11

Who is responsible to ensure that all members under their command have a working knowledge of the hydrant inspection program?

Answer 11

Company officers. They will review the last page of OP 15 with all members.

Question 12

Will inspections be performed by the entire company?

Answer 12

Yes. If quotas are 1 & 3 the inspection team will be officer & 2. If quotas are 1 & 4 two inspection teams will be used. Officer and 1 and another team of 2 FF’s. the driver will always stay with the apparatus.

Question 13

What can the BC do when companies are located in areas with parking problems?

Answer 13

Have those companies send out individual inspection teams. Must be coordinated through the deputy Commissioner of operations. In this situation assigned members will go out rather than detailed members.

Question 14

What will a company do if they discover a hydrant that they don’t have a preprinted card for?

Answer 14

Complete a blank card.

Question 15

What is the only type of hydrant defect that will be reported to FCC over the fire radio?

Answer 15

A hydrant which is flowing water and cannot be shut down. All other defects will be reported only on the hydrant card.

Question 16

What will a company do when encountering a hydrant with a black cap on it?

Answer 16

This means the water department has placed the hydrant OOS. This hydrant will not be turned on and the miscellaneous block will be filled in with the notation “ Hydrant OOS - Water Department”.

Question 17

How are hydrants to be checked?

Answer 17

1. Make sure hydrant is shut off then remove cap.
2. Flush hydrant, clearing and debris. Turn on full flow. Note if hydrant operates easily or needs lubrication.
3. Shut off hydrant and observe if water level drops. If it wastes.
4. If hydrant wastes, replace cap and tighten with a hydrant wrench. Observe condition of threads.
5. Reopen hydrant 24 half turns making certain no one is in front in case the cap blows off.
6. While hydrant is under pressure, observe for leaks. A small leak from cap is acceptable. Turn off hydrant.
7. Inspect CCL if so equipped. If compression fitting moves vertically when pressed by hand, note this in the miscellaneous section.

Question 18

What will a company do of they find a hydrant being used by anyone other than a city agency?

Answer 18

Investigate to see if its being used legally. User must have a Use Permit. Permit must be carried by the person and will state who, what, location of hydrant & length of time it may be used.

Question 19

What guidelines must persons use when utilizing a hydrant with a Use Permit?

Answer 19

1. Use only domestic hydrants.
2. Do Not Use CCL hydrants.
3. Conserve water.
4. Report defects immediately.
5. Remove hose connection and replace cap at the end of each work day.

Question 20

What will a company do when finding a hydrant that is being used illegally or not to the Use Permit guidelines?

Answer 20

Turn off the hydrant. Request police if a problem is anticipated.
Upon returning to the station, the water departments complaint desk will be notified via FCC and a memo will be sent to the Fire Commissioner giving details.

Question 21

How will companies notify FCC that they are going on hydrant inspections?

Answer 21

When leaving the station notify FCC via fire radio. Upon arrival on location of hydrant inspections, notify FCC again giving location. Whenever the apparatus is moved to a new location, FCC will again be notified. This will help locate dead spots as well as inform other companies of your location.

Question 22

What are the drivers responsibilities during hydrant inspections?

Answer 22

The driver will remain with apparatus and monitor fire radio. If a run comes in, the driver will sound the air horn. If possible, the apparatus will be shutdown. If radio transmission is necessary the apparatus will be started first.

Question 23

What will companies do after responding to an alarm while on hydrant inspections?

Answer 23

If a fire report is required, return to station and complete then resume inspections.
If no report is required, notify FCC that they are resuming inspections and give their location.

Question 24

Should companies use extra caution when responding to alarms during hydrant inspection hours?

Answer 24

Yes. Other companies on inspections may not be responding from normal routes.

Question 25

How are private fire hydrant inspections conducted?

Answer 25

Same as domestic hydrants. They are easily identified by a letter P appearing in the owner type box and the private complex name will be printed on the card.

Question 26

How will problems or discrepancies be handled when inspecting private hydrants?

Answer 26

Private hydrants must conform with Fire prevention code, section 508. Any problems will be reported on a referral. The hydrant card will be forwarded with “Referral Forwarded” and referral number notated in the miscellaneous block.

Question 27

Will engine companies review and update their water maps during hydrant inspection month?

Answer 27

Yes. The preprinted info on hydrant cards are useful in updating the water maps.

Question 28

How is the preprinted location of a hydrant card organized?

Answer 28

The first street name on the cars indicates the street that the hydrant physically sits on.

Question 29

What will companies do if they notice a hydrant that is damaged while they are on the street?

Answer 29

Notify FCC via fire phone upon return to the station. Give them the exact location and extent of damage. FCC will only be notified via fire radio if the hydrant is flowing and cannot be shutdown.

Question 30

What should companies do it they receive a hydrant card for a hydrant located outside the city?

Answer 30

Companies will not leave the city limits to inspect hydrants. Officers will forward the card with an explanation in the miscellaneous block.