Fire Hydrants: The Backbone of Building Fire Safety

When it comes to fire protection, most building owners think of smoke alarms, extinguishers, or evacuation plans. But one critical system is often overlooked — your fire hydrants.

If you own or manage a commercial or residential building in Australia, you are legally responsible for maintaining your fire hydrants and ensuring they comply with local fire safety standards. Failure to do so can result in fines, insurance issues, or worse — lives and property at risk.

Let’s walk through what you need to know.

What Are Fire Hydrants and Why Are They Critical?

Fire hydrants are high-pressure water outlets designed for use by firefighters. They allow quick and reliable access to water in the event of a fire.

But here’s the catch: they’re useless if they don’t work — or haven’t been tested.

Your Legal Responsibility as a Building Owner

Under Australian Standard AS 1851, building owners are required to:

• Ensure hydrants are clearly marked and unobstructed
• Have hydrants inspected every 6 months
• Perform an annual flow and pressure test
• Conduct a 5-yearly hydrostatic pressure test to verify pipework integrity under firefighting conditions
• Maintain up-to-date compliance records

If you’re ever audited or involved in a fire incident, you’ll need to show that these tests have been completed on schedule. Missing or outdated records could leave you non-compliant and liable.

Common Issues Found During Fire Hydrant Inspections

At Fire Safe ANZ, we regularly find issues like:

🚫 Obstructed hydrants (e.g. landscaping, bins, vehicles)
🚫 Rusted or leaking valves
🚫 Inadequate water pressure
🚫 Missing signage or faded paint
🚫 No maintenance logs on site

These may seem minor — until the moment they’re needed in a real emergency.

How Fire Safe ANZ Helps Building Owners Stay Compliant

We take the hassle out of hydrant maintenance by offering:

✅ 6-monthly inspections
✅ Annual hydrant flow and pressure testing
✅ 5-yearly hydrostatic pressure testing with certified results
✅ Prompt repairs and replacements if needed
✅ Full compliance reports for your AFSS (Annual Fire Safety Statement)
✅ Local, qualified technicians across Australia

Whether you’re managing a strata complex, retail property, or industrial site, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t Wait for a Fire to Find Out Your Hydrant Doesn’t Work

Being proactive with hydrant maintenance — especially your 5-yearly hydrostatic pressure test — isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about protecting people, property, and your liability.

Let our team at Fire Safe ANZ help you stay compliant, avoid fines, and most importantly, ensure your building is protected when it counts.

📞 Contact us today to book your next hydrant inspection or 5-yearly test.