Fire Hydrant Information

Fire hydrants

Fire appliances will not always carry all the water they need to extinguish fires. To supply them with additional water we rely on a network of fire hydrants to provide a water supply in the vicinity of a fire.

There are approximately 33,000 fire hydrants in Lancashire. Hydrants are below ground and are connected to the water main, but the hydrant covers can be located in public footways, grass verges or highways and will normally be cast with the letters ‘FH’ , but they can also be marked with 'WO' or other similar markings and on some occasions marked with yellow paint to make them more visible.

When a new development within the county is planned, the Fire and Rescue Service will determine the level of risk and recommends the number and location of fire hydrants required to the water authority. Each hydrant is strategically placed so as to ensure the minimum provision is made, whilst also providing the optimum supply of water for firefighting.

Hydrant Identification

You may see hydrant marker plates attached to walls, fenceposts, or lampposts. They are rectangular yellow signs with a large black ‘H’. The top numbers identify the size of the water main in millimetres and the bottom number(s) identify the distance to the hydrant from the plate in metres.

Usually, a marker plate will be installed in line with the hydrant to show its location but the plate may also include an arrow to show the direction from the plate to the hydrant.

All Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) fire hydrants are shown on the digital maps available in fire engines so that the nearest one can be identified while firefighters are on their way to an incident. This means that even if a marker plate is missing, broken, or covered, our crews will still be able to find the fire hydrant in most cases, and once reported they will be repaired in due course.

Testing and maintenance

It is our responsibility to ensure that fire hydrants are kept operable and available for use in the event of an emergency.

To ensure we meet our responsibility, our firefighters and our team of Hydrant Technicians who inspect all the fire hydrants within a time frame of 12 to 36 months. The Hydrant Technicians follow up on public enquiries and hydrants that are reported as defective including defective or missing hydrant plates. They are specially trained and equipped to work safely on the highway and can carry out minor repairs to hydrants. Where major repair work is required, this will be carried out by United Utilities.

Hydrant obstruction

It is crucial that firefighters can access to water supplies quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Obstructing fire hydrants, in particular inconsiderate parking, can put the lives of you, your family and your neighbours at risk. It is an offence to damage or obstruct a fire hydrant and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 (Fire and Rescue Services Act Section 42).

 A vehicle obstructing a fire hydrant may not be insured against any damage caused by the Fire and Rescue Service whilst gaining access to the required water supply in an emergency.

Illegal use of hydrants 

It is illegal to use a fire hydrant to obtain water for anything other than firefighting unless you are authorised to do so by the water authority or any other person to whom the hydrant belongs.

Unauthorised access to the hydrant is not allowed. Persons found to be using fire hydrants without the appropriate authorisation are liable to prosecution. If you suspect a fire hydrant is being used illegally, you can report it to United Utilities HERE. 

The more information you can provide about the user such as location, date, time, company name, vehicle license plate number and photographs of the misuse, the easier it is for them to investigate. Private fire hydrants

Private fire hydrants are located on private water mains that are not the responsibility of the local water company or the fire and rescue service, but the responsibility of the owners/occupiers on whose land they are installed and will not be maintained by either the water company or by us.

These are most commonly located on large sites such as hospitals, military establishments, retail parks, holiday parks, large warehouses, and industrial estates, but may also be installed to provide cover for specific risk properties. 

Private hydrants should be installed in accordance with the appropriate British standards and should be compatible with fire and rescue service equipment and should be tested and maintained and be in good working order by the responsible person(s).

Known private fire hydrants will be recorded in our database and may be included as a source of water for firefighting in our risk information plans. Please contact us via the details below if you would like assistance, or to check whether private fire hydrants for which you are responsible are included in our records.