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.