Fire Hydrant Inspections Advance

Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division
March 12, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Joe Dorman
Capitol: (405) 557-7305
E-mail: joedorman@okhouse.gov

Fire Hydrant Inspections Advance

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Joe Dorman helped advance legislation today that will increase public safety by requiring routine inspections of fire hydrants.
House Bill 1656, by Dorman and state Sen. Tom Ivester, would require that all fire hydrants receive a maintenance check at least once every three years.
“A fire hydrant is one of those things that you never think about until you need it,” said Dorman, D-Rush Springs. “Unfortunately, that means officials don’t know a hydrant is unusable until a building is burning and they need the water immediately. By requiring routine inspections, we can prevent an avoidable tragedy.”
Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor asked for the change to reflect recommended national standards. The inspections would include lubrication and likely replacement of o-rings. Standards would be set by each city and rural water district.
The bill also requires the local fire chief to estimate the amount of water necessary to fight a fire to allow the city or water district to recover the cost of the water used.
House Bill 1656 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives 99-0. It now proceeds to the state Senate.

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