Business eServices Government Visitors Departments
 
  Command Staff
  Recruitment
  Divisions
  Fire Prevention Bureau
 
- About Us
- Staff
- Forms
- Fire Code Complaint Form
- Standard Operating Guidelines
- Permit User Fees
- Special Permits
- Fire Evacuation Requirements
- Fire Hydrant Testing
- Grilling Ordinance
- Knox Box Program
- Tank Removal and Safeguarding Procedures
- Vacant Property Requirements
- Plans Review
- Certificate of Occupancy Inspection Process
- Preparing for Your Next Inspection
  Fire Station Locator Map
  Fire and Life Safety
  Emergency Management
  History
  Media Room
  CFD Pipe Band
  A-Z Index
Fire Hydrant Testing


All newly installed private fire hydrants for commercial properties, including multi-family occupancies, are required to be tested and approved in order to determine the available fire flow. In addition, city-owned fire hydrants may be tested at the request of architects, engineers, fire sprinkler installers, etc. in order to determine the available water supply for the purpose of designing fire sprinkler systems.

To request a test, you may either contact the Fire Department's Fire Hydrant Coordinator at the telephone number or email address below, or you may download a flow test request form[Fire Hydrant Flow request Form.pdf, FY '09 (28k)], and  mail or fax it to the Charlotte Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau Office at the address or fax number, also indicated below. There is a fee associated with each test, so please read the instructions carefully.

 
A typical Storz connection 

"Storz" Connections:

All public and private hydrants installed after July 2004 are required to be fitted with a Storz connection, as shown in the adjacent photo. The Storz connection is a coupling device that neither has male or female ends connected by screw threads, but interlocking flanges with identical ends so that either end will join the other. All large diameter hose (LDH) on CFD's apparatus have Storz connections on both ends to allow easy and rapid connections between the hydrant and pump.  Important: Painting of the Storz coupling device can negatively impact its operation, so they are not to be painted. 

 

 

Hydrant Painting Requirements:

Privately installed hydrants are required to be "color coded" based on their operational arrangements such as through a water meter, tied to a fire pump, limited water supply, etc. The Charlotte Fire Department requires that private fire hydrants meet the following color codes:

1. Hydrants connected to a public water main through a meter:

  • Yellow hydrant with hydrant caps painted green.

2. Hydrants connected to a fire pump:

  • Yellow hydrant with hydrant caps painted white.

3. Hydrants limited in their water avaliability:

  • Yellow hydrant with hydrant caps painted blue.

4. Hydrants lacking a large diameter hose connection:

  • Entire hydrant painted red.

Paint should be a high quality enamel paint. A low quality paint will result in the frequency of application, as well as the ill effects of inclement weather conditions. The Water Supply Coordinator, or the inspector assigned to your project will be able to offer assistance in determining the color requirements.

 

Contact Information:

Kevin Starnes, Water Supply Coordinator

Charlotte Fire Department

441 Beaumont Avenue

Charlotte, North Carolina 28204

Office: 704-353-0469

Fax: 704-336-5190

kstarnes@ci.charlotte.nc.us