Fire Hydrant Etiquette

• Hydrants must be kept accessible and easily seen by approaching fire personnel year round. Appropriate clearance allows for the safe operation of the hydrant by fire personnel and room to connect the needed hoses and appliances to the hydrant.

• Plantings, rocks, lawn or garden ornaments must be kept at least five feet from the hydrant in all directions and must not obscure visibility. This also applies to snow in the winter months, which should be removed as soon as the storm is over.

• Hydrants are for fire protection use only and are not to be used for other purposes such as filling pools, water tanks on private service or landscape vehicles, etc.

• Unauthorized taking of water from a hydrant is a theft. If you observe anyone other than fire personnel or water company personnel using a hydrant, do not approach but note as much information as possible and notify the Simsbury Police Department.

Three different water companies serve Simsbury’s fire hydrant system, which includes more than 800 hydrants. The vast majority, over 500 hydrants, are owned by the Simsbury Fire District and served by Aquarion Water Company. Hydrants in Tariffville are owned and serviced by the Tariffville Water Company, and in areas close to the Avon town line, the Avon Water Company.

Each year the Simsbury Fire District inspects, operates and lubricates each of the hydrants owned by the fire district. During this inspection if any repairs are required they are noted and remedied as soon as possible.

Hydrants located on private business or association-owned property are the responsibility of the property owner. Hydrants that are located on private property are given a courtesy inspection so the fire district, as a fire emergency responder, has a high degree of confidence that these private hydrants will operate if and when needed. Any deficiencies noted on private hydrants are passed on to the owner.

During the annual inspections, if there is an access or visibility problem the property owner will be notified and asked to remove or clear the area around the hydrant.

The fire district appreciates everyone’s cooperation in this effort and reminds people that the hydrant is there to serve a large number of properties and must be accessible at all times.

Any questions can be directed to the Simsbury Fire District at 860-658-1971.