Fire Hydrant Testing: The Overlooked Fire Safety Essential
🔥 Fire Hydrant Testing: The Overlooked Fire Safety Essential
Fire hydrant testing is one of the most overlooked yet critical components of fire safety on private land. Many people assume this responsibility lies with the local fire brigade — and while that's true for public hydrants, it does not apply to private hydrants.
🚨 Who is Responsible for Private Fire Hydrants?
Since 1989, it has been the responsibility of building owners or occupiers to ensure that private fire hydrants are regularly inspected and maintained.
These hydrants are commonly found in:
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Business parks 🏢
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TV or film studios 🎥
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Farms 🚜
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Academies and large schools 🏫
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Any large commercial or private land 🏞️
📏 What Standards Apply?
Private fire hydrants must be tested and maintained in accordance with BS 9990, which outlines the requirements for non-automatic fire-fighting systems. Regular testing ensures hydrants will perform as expected during an emergency, giving fire crews fast, reliable access to water.
🗓️ How Often Should Fire Hydrants Be Tested?
Fire hydrants should be tested at least once per year, ideally between March and November. This avoids potential issues with freezing temperatures during winter months.
During annual testing, we check for:
✅ Adequate water flow
✅ Pressure levels
✅ General condition of the hydrant and surrounding area
All results are digitally recorded and provided in a comprehensive report for each hydrant.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How We Test Your Fire Hydrants
Here's how Kings Fire ensures your private fire hydrants are ready in case of an emergency:
1. 🔍 Site Inspection
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Inspect hydrant cover, pit, and surrounding area.
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Remove any obstructions (e.g. pallets, vegetation, cones, or vehicles).
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Ensure paving is intact and structurally sound.
2. 🧹 Pit Inspection
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Check for debris, water, and any wildlife (frogs and spiders aren't uncommon!).
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Confirm the cover is painted yellow for visibility.
3. 🔧 Hydrant Checks
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Inspect the hydrant's condition
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Confirm outlet cap and false spindle are in place
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Measure and record hydrant depth
4. 💧 Flow Testing
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Attach our digital flow meter
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Carefully open hydrant (initial water is often very dirty!)
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Record flow rate in litres per minute (L/min)
Flow can range from a few hundred to over 3,000 L/min
5. 📊 Pressure Testing
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Once flow is steady, we shut off water and record pressure in bar
Pressure typically ranges from 2 to 7 bar
6. 🟨 Marking & Signage Checks
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Ensure the yellow 'H' plate is present
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Check that distance to hydrant and size are accurately displayed
📝 Digital Reports & Fire Brigade Access
Each test comes with a digital report, including:
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Photos of each hydrant
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Flow and pressure results
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Any maintenance recommendations
We recommend sharing this report with your fire risk assessor and the local fire brigade, especially if performance issues are found.
🔄 On-the-Spot Repairs & Extras
Minor issues can often be resolved during the same visit, including:
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🔧 Replacing missing outlet caps or spindles
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🎨 Repainting faded hydrant covers
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🟡 Fitting or replacing 'H' plates
📩 Need Fire Hydrant Testing on Your Property?
If your land contains fire hydrants, contact Kings Fire for a no-obligation quote. We provide:
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Fully compliant testing (BS 9990)
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Digital documentation and reports
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Fast, professional service across Bedfordshire, The Home Counties & London areas
📝 Get a Fire Hydrant Testing Quote Today
Ready to ensure your fire hydrants are fully operational, visible, and compliant with fire safety law ?
Contact us via our online enquiry form
Call our friendly fire safety team for expert advice on 01462 337037
Prefer an in-person consultation? We're happy to offer a free site visit to discuss your fire hydrant testing requirements