A private fire hydrant costs $5,000 on average, but it can cost between $1,250 and $7,000, depending on location, conditions, and project scope.
A private fire hydrant usually costs between $3,000 and $6,000, including labor for installation. In most cases, you’ll find private fire hydrants on private property that’s been developed for large-scale uses like apartment complexes, condominium structures, and business parks. They’re usually placed in areas where the distance between the buildings or other structures and the closest public fire hydrant makes firefighting difficult. Firefighters use both public and private hydrants to help protect buildings and property from fire damage.
Buying and installing a private fire hydrant is a bit more difficult than other fixtures for your property. Sourcing pricing information can be challenging as a result.
Fire hydrants cost an average of $850 to $1,250. You may pay more, depending on the classification of the hydrant and whether you’re purchasing a hydrant through a third party or directly.
The labor costs for the installation of a private fire hydrant and its connection to the existing water supply average between $1,000 and $2,000. Labor costs may rise with site conditions and the need for extra work to secure the hydrant’s connection to the water supply.
In addition to materials and labor, you may also pay more depending on the location where you want the hydrant installed. If the location requires breaking up an existing walkway or sidewalk, replacing that material can add $2,000 or more to the final cost. Similarly, if you need further plumbing work, such as replacing your water main line to establish a connection with the hydrant, your total price will increase.
The cost of installing a private fire hydrant on your property may vary based on the classification of the fire hydrant you choose, how far from the property’s buildings the hydrant is to be located, and how much work is required to connect the hydrant to the water supply.
Fire hydrants are classified (and color-coded) according to their flow rate (or the amount of water they can handle) by the National Fire Protection Association’s Code NFPA 291. The flow rate is usually measured in gallons per minute. As a general rule, the higher the water output that the hydrant can deliver, the higher the cost will be.
A class C hydrant can handle up to 500 gallons of water per minute. This is the lowest “size” or classification for fire hydrants and is generally most appropriate for small, single buildings as opposed to large apartment complexes with several units per building.
One step up from Class C hydrants, the Class B hydrant handles anywhere from 500 to 999 gallons per minute.
Class A hydrants can process 1,000 to 1,499 gallons per minute, while Class AA hydrants are the largest models and can handle over 1,500 gallons per minute. These hydrants are more appropriate for larger properties with multiple buildings or structures.
You cannot DIY install a fire hydrant, so leave this job to a pro. Installing a private fire hydrant requires lots of technical skill and familiarity with legal requirements. You’d also need to know exactly where and how to position the hydrant to connect it properly to its water supply.
Instead, consult your local fire department or a civil engineer. These pros are typically the ones legally allowed to install a fire hydrant. They can ensure you’re getting the type of hydrant you need and that it’s installed in the most appropriate location.
In some cases, a local plumber may be allowed to install fire hydrants. However, this isn’t the case for every municipality, so contact your local fire department before calling in someone who may not be able to legally do the job. Hiring a plumber costs anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour, though you’d most likely end up paying the higher end of that range, given the complexity of the work involved in installing a fire hydrant.
Installing and maintaining a private fire hydrant can result in substantial costs for the property owner. To minimize those costs, consider the placement of the hydrant carefully. A private hydrant must maintain a strong connection to the water supply at an adequate flow rate to respond to fire events on the property. The farther the hydrant is from the property it’s supposed to protect, the more your costs add up.
Additionally, consulting with a professional fire safety technician in your area who is familiar with the locally applicable laws and regulations can help trim your costs. Your local fire safety consultant can help you ensure you’re getting the type of hydrant you need and having it installed in the most efficient location, given the configuration of your property and its buildings.
Your local town or municipality’s fire code and other applicable ordinances will set out the requirements for installing and maintaining a private fire hydrant. These rules can vary from place to place, so it’s crucial to consult with your town’s fire or code enforcement departments before you install a private hydrant on any property you own. Alternatively, you can hire a professional fire service consultant to help you interpret local laws and ensure you’re fully compliant with those requirements.
According to the National Fire Protection Association’s Code NFPA 25 (titled “Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems”), private fire hydrants must undergo inspection once per year, with an accompanying flow test and any necessary maintenance performed on the same schedule. Keep in mind that your town, city, or county may adopt more or less strict testing requirements.
In most cases, having a fire hydrant installed on your property, whether it’s maintained by you personally or your municipality, will reduce your insurance premiums. That’s because its proximity to any buildings on the property will reduce the time it takes to put out a fire, thus reducing the resulting damage.
Most fire hydrants can last up to 50 years. So long as there are no major issues or damage that impact your fire hydrant, you can expect to get a long life out of it. Keep in mind that inspections must be done at least once per year to ensure that they’re still in working order.
