If you’ve ever seen a fire hydrant being flushed by firefighters, then you know it can be an alarming sight, but there is a reason why it must be done.
Fire hydrants have been around for about 180 years and have dramatically enhanced firefighting capabilities. They have become so prevalent that he only time many people notice them is when they are being flushed. In fact, you may not have ever considered it before, but these common roadside fixtures come in a variety of shades, and the fire hydrant colors indicate important information for firefighters.
The fire department routinely approaches the hydrants in their area and releases water onto the street that often looks discolored or dirty. This task is done so that firefighters can measure how much water is flowing out, which is vital to how effective the department can be in combating out-of-control flames. If the water is exhibiting a poor flow rate, it could be due to a burst pipe that may have gone unchecked otherwise. Low-pressure water out of a fire hydrant could also indicate an insufficient supply of water, which would be disastrous during an emergency.
