How to signal a fire hydrant ?
To intervene most effectively in fires, fire hydrants, hydrant posts, and fire plugs are important and must be readily available. Therefore, it is essential to signal these hydrants with signs to facilitate the work of firefighters in extinguishing the fire.
Basically, these signs, called Fire Hydrant Signs (FHS), serve to indicate firefighting assistance devices with the help of a fire hydrant. So, this sign enables easy and quick identification of a fire cistern, various water points for fire hydrants, or necessary equipment to extinguish the fire.
Fire hydrants can be installed both indoors, but also outdoors on public (municipal) and private roads. Eventually, these signs must remain visible during both day and night, generally these fire hydrants should withstand shocks, weather conditions, and corrosion.
The standard and the various signs
So, the FHS sign must comply with the NFS 61-221 standard and meet specific criteria.
The inscriptions
Firstly, Nature
- Fire hydrant 100 m (FH 100) and 150 m (FH 150)
- Fire post 100 m (FP 100)
- Underground and aboveground tank (open sky)
- Drilled well (underground structure)
- Fire reserve
- Suction point
Secondly, Capacity in cubic meters
0 for fire hydrant or fire post (PEI pictogram) or capacity of the tank or reserve (supply pipeline). Note: For water points considered inexhaustible, no capacity indication should appear at the center of the circle.
Thirdly, The number
Identification number of the departmental base, PEI serial number, municipality or E.P.C.I emblem, fire hydrant points, or usage restrictions (MPR, MPF, etc.).
Fourthly, The vertical distance
Distance in meters from the center of the hydrant to the vertical plane containing the plate.
Fifthely, The perpendicular distance
Distance in meters from the center of the fire hydrant to the plane perpendicular to the plate and passing through this mark (indicated to the right or left of the mark).
The dimensions
For the sign to comply with the standard and thus be valid, it must measure 150 x 300 mm. On average, it is installed between 0.50 m and 2 m from the reference ground level and between 1 m and 5 m from the edge of the roadway accessible to emergency vehicles.
The background
The sign must contain a disc with a white arrow on a retroreflective red background, or vice versa. Except in the case of buildings protected by legislation on historical monuments, they can use background colors close to stone.
Additional to the sign
The PEI sign can be complemented by a B6A “No Parking” sign or a B6D “No Parking and No Stopping” sign with an M9Z panel “Except Firefighters” “Reserved for Firefighters” “Fire Lane” or “Firefighters Parking.
Yellow hatched “zebra” ground markings complement the signs and make the restricted area more visible.
What WP Signalisation offers
We offer the Fire Hydrant Sign compliant with the NFS 61-221 standard and customizable. You can also find our complementary signs and panels on our website panneau-de-signalisation.com.
We provide installation and ground marking services. For more information, please contact us.
