Judging by the amount of trash that I’ve seen in fire department connections, people must think FDCs are trash reciprocals. In that case, they must hook up to a large garbage bin inside a building. The birds seem to be just as confused because they build nests in them. An FDC’s real purpose is for the fire department to connect to in order to pump water into a building in the event of a fire.
To ensure fire department connections are in working condition and easily accessible inspect them quarterly. You can even look for the following problems between quarterly inspections.
Oftentimes overgrown vegetation hides FDCs from view. If the vegetation is a major obstruction, the fire department has to take additional time to cut it back to hookup to the pipes. It’s in the property owner’s best interest to not have plants in the area. If you do, then keep them manicured so that they don’t become an obstruction. Another common issue is debris buildup such as cans or trash which can impede water flow. The simple solution to this problem is to replace the cap so that the opening is sealed and ready for use. Lastly, check to make sure the FDC is in good condition and leak free.
These are a few simple things you can do to ensure your fire department connection will remain operational between inspections.
Categorized in: Education, Fire Pumps, Fire Sprinklers