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Fire Hydrant Services

Fire Hydrant Inspection for Commercial Buildings

When a fire breaks out in your building, fire protection — including fire sprinklers and kitchen fire suppression systems — engage automatically in fighting the blaze. When these systems aren’t enough, you count on the fire department to put out the flames completely with their powerful hoses. This requires a working fire hydrant on your property that a fire truck can tap into.

Are your fire hydrants in good working order? The National Fire Protection Association requires annual inspections to make sure this is the case.

If it’s time to have your fire hydrants inspected, contact Unifour Fire & Safety today to schedule services. We provide fire hydrant inspections for businesses throughout the Southeast.

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Why Do Fire Hydrants Require Inspections?

Fire hydrants are subject to many problems, including:

  • Wear and tear
  • Rust and corrosion
  • Accidental damage
  • Vandalism
  • Mechanical malfunction
  • Accidental closing of hydrant tap valves

While you hope your building never experiences a fire, regular fire hydrant inspections help you detect and repair any damage that could prevent it from working when you need it most. The time and effort to arrange annual fire hydrant inspections is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes from knowing your hydrants will perform properly and reliably if you need it in an emergency.

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What Happens During a Fire Hydrant Inspection?

According to NFPA 25, fire hydrants should be inspected annually and after use. At Unifour Fire & Safety, our fire hydrant inspection procedure is designed to thoroughly check that your property’s fire hydrants meet all codes.

Here are the types of checks we perform during each inspection:

Assess Fire Hydrant Locations

Hydrants should be plotted correctly on water district maps. We note any errors and take steps to correct them. Hydrants should also be easily accessible and visible from all directions. No obstructions should interfere with approaching the hydrant or coupling hoses to it.

Test the Fire Hydrant

The most important part of a fire hydrant inspection is the flow test, which determines water availability for fighting fires. Here’s what the test entails:

  • Install a pressure gauge in preparation for the flow test.
  • Open the fire hydrant fully and let the water flow for at least 60 seconds. This disperses foreign material from the water line and allows the fire hydrant to operate smoothly for an accurate pressure reading.
  • Stop the flow of water and assess whether the fire hydrant drains correctly.
  • Record data from the pressure gauge to determine whether it meets NFPA standards.

Inspect the Fire Hydrant

After the flow test is complete, our crew carefully examines the fire hydrant and its parts. We include the following in our inspection:

  • Clean and lubricate cap threads and chains. Replace missing or cracked caps.
  • Make sure valves open and close easily. Tighten leaky valves and report any valves that are difficult to operate or don’t open and close fully.
  • Touch up chipped paint or rusted areas with aerosol paint. Make sure any necessary markings and curb spray paint are present and easily discernible. Report hydrants that are in severe need of repainting.

Benefits of Annual Fire Hydrant Inspections

Make fire hydrant inspections a priority for your Southeast business to enjoy:

  • Improved safety and peace of mind, knowing your building is protected by a functional fire hydrant.
  • Insurance coverage and potentially lower monthly premiums.
  • Code compliance and the chance to avoid costly fines and penalties.

Call Unifour Fire & Safety for Fire Hydrant Inspections in the Southeast

For over three decades, we have been the company to call for fire hydrant inspections! One of the main reasons your neighbors have been trusting Unifour Fire & Safety for over 30 years is because we are a one-stop shop for fire protection services in the Southeast. Our knowledgeable fire safety professionals specialize in all aspects of fire protection, including:

If you’re ready to schedule a fire hydrant inspection, contact Unifour Fire & Safety today!

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Frequently Asked Questions


Can landscaping be planted around a fire hydrant?

NFPA 1 Fire Code requires a clear space to be maintained around a fire hydrant’s circumference unless otherwise approved or required. The clear space in front of the hydrant should be no less than 60 inches or 5 feet from the connection to allow a firefighter to stand next to the hydrant and turn a large wrench to open it,
If you want landscaping near or around a fire hydrant, plantings, shrubs, and trees must be outside the clear space. Remember to factor in plant and tree growth, so your landscaping doesn’t encroach on the hydrant. You might also consider outlining the 5-foot radius with landscaping pebbles or mulch.

What should I do if my fire hydrant is leaking/spewing water?

Though it’s critical to call in a licensed, qualified water contractor for a final resolution of the issue, your in-house maintenance staff can typically handle the initial steps to solve the problem and limit water damage.
You need a valve key with a 2-inch square nut attachment, a hydrant wrench that fits your particular hydrant, and knowledge of where to find the valve box. Staff can then pop the top of the valve box and close the valve. While not a permanent fix, this step stops the leak.

What is the NFPA standard for fire hydrants?

Under NFPA 1, fire hydrants must be installed to meet NFPA requirements, waterworks standards, and local jurisdiction requirements. Some jurisdictions require hydrants to have a reflector and proximity flag, and some require hydrants to be color-coded to indicate the available flow rate.
Commercial fire hydrants must be within 400 feet of the building or structure with a maximum spacing of 500 feet. They must also be within 12 feet of the fire department access road.


Our Service Area

We proudly provide fire protection services in the following cities and their surrounding areas:

North Carolina (NC): Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory, Raleigh, and Durham

South Carolina (SC): Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg

Georgia (GA): Athens, Atlanta, and Savannah

Unifour Fire & Safety is also licensed in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.

Contact us online or call 866-511-5540 for fire protection services throughout the Southeast!

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Testimonials

“I have used Unifour Fire and Safety for the last three years for my annual fire extinguisher inspections, emergency lighting inspections and our fire sprinkler equipment/riser inspections. Each year I have received great service from the office staff that schedules these inspections all the way to the service technicians that come out to perform these inspections. I would highly recommend you to use Unifour Fire and Safety for your annual inspections.”

- Todd
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