Who Owns Fire Hydrants: Watch Hydrant Destroy Ford Raptor

When you think of important safety tools, what comes to mind? For most, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, tornado sirens, and other conspicuous tools likely pop into their minds. One unsung hero of the safety world is the humble fire hydrant. They are on almost any street and allow lifesaving firemen to aid hundreds of thousands of people a year. While they are life-saving tools, many don’t know who owns fire hydrants or who is responsible when they break or cause damage. 

This short video shows the damage a fire hydrant can cause when it is not working properly. The footage comes from a homeowner’s security camera. While we can’t see the actual hydrant, we see a huge geyser of water sending straight into the side of a Ford Raptor truck. 

The water is so forceful that it fully blocks the camera’s view of the car. It also creates an intense noise akin to a waterfall. Although we don’t see its damage, we can assume that water penetrates the inside of the car. 

An Attorney’s Opinion

As reported by attorney Ugo Lord, the truck owner should do a few things. First, Lord advises that the truck owner find out who owns the fire hydrant. Depending on your location and the specific hydrant, either private or public entities can own it. 

Afterward, he added that starting an investigation into the fire hydrant was important. The hydrant’s owner must do this investigation, which could mean contacting a private owner or contacting the city. 

In an investigation, it will first be deduced whether the hydrant was tampered with or damaged. The hydrant owner could seek reimbursement if damaged, as they wouldn’t know of the sabotage. On the other hand, if the hydrant was simply old, out of repair, or damaged due to normal wear, the liability would fall onto the hydrant’s owner. 

In most situations, hydrants explode due to misrepair, general damage, or old age. Due to the responsibility that owners implicitly have for their hydrants, they would be responsible. 

Who Owns Fire Hydrants? 

There are two types of fire hydrant owners: private and public. Owners have the responsibility of maintaining the hydrant and maintaining the area around the hydrant. 

Private hydrants are owned by private entities who own the land they are on. For instance, a remote business may have private hydrants on their land. Certain private communities may have private hydrants within that community. Some family homes may also have private hydrants attached to the water main. Private hydrants and public hydrants may be different colors depending on the city. Maintenance and testing of private hydrants falls on their owner, not the government or public water companies. 

Public hydrants are owned by public entities who own the land they are on. Most public hydrants are owned by public water companies or fire rescue stations. Public hydrants are the most common, as they are on public streets, parks, and city driveways. The testing and maintenance of public hydrants falls upon public entities. 

While maintenance falls on the hydrant’s owner, many states have bylaws that put some responsibility on the public. For example, some regions that receive regular snow have laws that make it the public’s responsibility to keep hydrants clear of snow. This can become important for homeowners who live on land with public hydrants. If you live near a hydrant, you should check with your local fire department to see if you are responsible for it. 

Fire Hydrant Maintenaince

Regardless of who owns fire hydrants, they require maintenance occasionally. Hydrant owners must check on their hydrants from time to time. Additionally, maintenance activities such as mandatory safety and function testing are also required. 

As previously mentioned, some maintenance is required in the surrounding hydrant area. Homeowners with hydrants must keep the hydrant’s environment clear and open from snow and other debris. Likewise, everyone is responsible for ensuring they don’t part in front of hydrants. 

In all cases, the hydrant’s owner is responsible for any property damage that the hydrant causes, including damage from misrepair and old age.

If you see a hydrant that is abnormal, it is important to understand who owns fire hydrants in your area. A quick call to a city office or private repair company can save someone (or someone’s truck) from disaster!