Dear Reader:
The following document was created from the MTAS electronic library known as MORe (www.mtas.tennessee.edu/more). This online library is maintained daily by MTAS staff and seeks to represent the most current information regarding issues relative to Tennessee municipal government.
We hope this information will be useful to you; reference to it will assist you with many of the questions that will arise in your tenure with municipal government. However, the Tennessee Code Annotated and other relevant laws or regulations should always be consulted before any action is taken based upon the contents of this document.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments regarding this information or any other MORe material.
Sincerely,
The University of Tennessee
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
1610 University Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
865-974-0411 phone
865-974-0423 fax
www.mtas.tennessee.edu
We all drink from fire hydrants and share a common goal to protect the water system. When using fire hydrants, fire departments have a responsibility for keeping our drinking water as safe as possible. A coordinated effort between the fire department and water utility is essential in protecting public health. Communities should identify and mark fire hydrants in all areas,and especially in areas with deficient fire flows. Once these deficient areas are identified, every stakeholder should be involved in creating, funding, and implementing a plan of corrective action to provide adequate fire flows to protect life and property. For efficient firefighting operations, communities should mark all fire hydrants in the community according to NFPA Standard 291. Good planning is needed to ensure that the community has adequate fire flows for fire suppression operations. The water supply represent 40% of the community's Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating, and cooperation is essential to meet everyone’s interests, to provide the adequate fire flows needed to protect life and property, and to keep the community's drinking water supply safe.
DISCLAIMER: The letters and publications written by the MTAS consultants were written based upon the law at the time and/or a specific sets of facts. The laws referenced in the letters and publications may have changed and/or the technical advice provided may not be applicable to your city or circumstances. Always consult with your city attorney or an MTAS consultant before taking any action based on information contained in this website.
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