Posted By West
According to Law in my country we test fire hydrants every 6 months by inviting specialist company. Meanwhile local fire brigade together with maintenance department make a visual check on monthly basis.

Posted By Steve Conde
When I was in the Fire Service the requirement was that statutory (public) fire hydrants received a test annually. This test proved both pressure and flow rates and was historically undertaken by Fire Service staff.

I know when I was involved in testing we used to get shed loads of problems with malfunctioning hydrant valves.

A few years ago there was some debate between the Fire Services and the Water Authorities about the need for testing; there was a perception that the testing actually damaged the valves.

There was also some debate about the need for the Fire Service its self to undertake such tests. Not to sure what the out come of all this debating was, but I do know that some Fire Services have now contracted out hydrant testing.

It may be worth seeking the views of your local water authority about the value of hydrant testing.

Regards

Steve…

Posted By FAH
In the UK there is no statutory period that I'm aware of for those hydrants provided by the Water Companies [I believe that it is still a statutory requirement for them to provide these hydrants] in "publicly owned" places - ie public streets etc.

For Private Hydrants, it has always been down to the controller of the premises/hydrant to ensure that both the hydrant & any associated meter by-pass valve is tested adequately.

Frank Hallett