Hall County firefighters perform annual maintenance on a hydrant off Thurmon Tanner Road. The Fire Marshal asks that residents keep a 3-foot clearance around their hydrants.

Twice each year, Hall County firefighters take on the arduous task of inspecting fire hydrants located in the County. All hydrants are inspected twice annually to meet the requirements of the Insurance Services Office. Hydrants are checked to make sure they are easy to operate and parts are lubricated. Firefighters also ensure that fire department hoses can be connected without delay. Hydrants are turned on and the water pressures are recorded.

According to the International Fire Code (which has been adopted as the state minimum fire codes/regulations for Hall County), there should be a three-foot clear space around the circumference of all fire hydrants. "Many times people like to 'hide' the hydrant because they believe it is unsightly," says Fire Marshal Scott Cagle. "This hides the hydrant from responding firefighters and makes our job more difficult."

Even though hydrant locations are provided during dispatch, they can be difficult to locate, especially in the dark. In addition, posts, fences, vehicles, growth, trash, storage and other materials should not be placed near hydrants. The fire department must have ready access to fire protection equipment or hydrants.

"We would ask that residents maintain the area around the hydrant and maintain the three-foot clearance," Cagle says. "During our inspections, we have found some amazing things in and around hydrants that would have injured firefighters, or in the least greatly hampered using the hydrant in an emergency."

When the hydrant is flowed, it can stir up sediment and mud in the water pipes in the ground. This can cause the water to be discolored, and it is recommended that you allow your water to run before doing laundry.

If anyone has any questions about fire hydrant inspection and maintenance, please contact the Hall County Fire Marshal's Office at 770-531-6838.