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Did you know fire hydrant colors have meaning?

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Full Circle Property Management

Did you know the color of your fire hydrant means something? If a condo community owns a hydrant, it is painted red or red/white. If its owned by the City, its yellow. If the water is not drinkable its painted violet, although I have never seen one.

So why is this important? Well Ohio Fire Code section 5.7.3 requires hydrants be serviced annually or you can be subject to fines and penalties-or worse if there is a fire and the hydrant does not work. If your community has red hydrants, then they are normally the condo association responsibility to service. In some cases, the village or city is nice enough to service your hydrants, but that almost never happens in Columbus.

So let your manager know, if you have red hydrants, if your city/village/county/township has or will be servicing your hydrants. If not, they will need serviced.

If you have yellow hydrants you should not need servicing as the city will do them.

 

Jack William
1996 - Abbottstown, PA

These are all very important questions that buyers and sellers should be asking before they make the decision which Real Estate professional they should be working with.According to www.superiorpapers.com it's fine to do with complete rights.

Oct 21, 2017 05:36 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have seen in some towns where they were painted to look like living beings

Oct 21, 2017 05:50 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Dennis. I never knew this. Very interesting and I learned something.

Oct 21, 2017 06:13 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Dennis, I have never heard this either, and showed homes in a new neighborhood the other day, and the hydrant was white with a splash of blue.  Wonder what that means?

Oct 21, 2017 06:44 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

That is interesting information, Dennis Swartz and I knew about the recycled water fixture color, but not about the ownership designation. Thanks!

Oct 21, 2017 07:30 AM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

My favorite color is purple, so seeing a violet one would be interesting! Even if it means it is filled with non-drinkable water. Thanks for the new knowledge.

Oct 21, 2017 04:22 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

That is great information. Around here, the different colors -  blue, green, orange, and red indicate the various water pressure flow. And yes, violet is also non potable - and yellow is a private system hydrant. Wondering if it's a federal standard? Do you know? 

Oct 22, 2017 07:57 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Dennis - who knew that.  Thanks for the information.  I am going to start check our hydrants.

Oct 30, 2017 06:50 AM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Hi Dennis, this is interesting. I thought all the hydrants in NC were red but, not I'll need to pay attention.

Jan 25, 2018 05:01 AM