Hydrant Color Coding
Color Coding
Fire hydrants are color coded based on the flow of the hydrant under normal operating conditions, allowing the Fire Department to determine the capacity of each hydrant.
National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that the bodies of municipal hydrants, private hydrants, and non-potable hydrants be distinctively color-coded. The City of Columbus paints the hydrants to match the NFPA standards for color-coding according to flow. The National standard for the body colors of the hydrants is a chrome yellow; however, red is a standard color still recognized in the industry. Therefore, the Columbus municipal hydrant body color will continue to be red. The tops or caps of the hydrants will be painted according to flow.Standard Color Codes
NFPA 291 – Standard Color Codes for Flow:| Class | Meaning | Color |
|---|---|---|
| CLASS C | less than 500 GPM | RED |
| CLASS B | 500 to 999 GPM | ORANGE |
| CLASS A | 1,000 to 1,499 GPM | GREEN |
| CLASS AA | greater than 1500 GPM | LIGHT BLUE |
Private fire hydrants throughout the city will have the body and top painted yellow.