Fire hydrants should remain unobstructed from snow – Cache Valley Daily

A Cache Valley fire hydrant cleared for use on Tuesday Jan. 16, 2024.

LOGAN-With all of the snow Cache Valley residents have been shoveling lately they should not forget fire hydrants should remain unobstructed even during snowstorms.

Clearing the snow from fire hydrants snow is critical because firefighters must be able to identify where they are quickly to access water in case of a fire or other emergency.

Snow obstructed fire hydrants can delay firefighting efforts costing valuable time for a fire to grow causing more damage to the structure. To ensure fire hydrants surrounding a facility remain accessible during the winter following the National Fire Protection Association ‘s recommendations is crucial.

The NFPA recommend a 36 in. clear space maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants unless otherwise required. Some jurisdictions could have different requirements for how much clearance is needed and the time frame snow should be removed.

Clearing snow becomes more difficult the longer the snow hardens around the hydrant. If the snow melts and freezes clearing the snow may have to chiseled away. Also, when snow stacks up quickly and buries the hydrant during major storms it can make finding it extremely difficult.

There are ways to help identify snow-covered where fire hydrants are. One way is to attach a flag or device approved by local municipalities to mark the hydrant’s location. Another option is to place a reflector on the road in front of the fire hydrant, but before deciding any method to mark a fire hydrant one should check with local jurisdiction receive their approval.

Ensuring firefighters have access to fire hydrants at any time of the year is crucial but it can be most challenging in the winter. NFPA recommends being proactive when clearing snow from fire hydrants to ensure that they’ll remain unobstructed by snow in case of an emergency.