Fire Hydrant Report

Another effect of the Baltimore Fire was the induction of standardized parts in fire hydrants. After the fire, the National Fire Protection Association created a standard size for fire hydrants.

In a publication for the United States Department of Commerce Technology Administration, Major U.S. Cities Using National Fire Standard Hydrants, One Century After the Great Baltimore Fire, published in August 2004, “18 out of the 48 most populated U.S. cities have installed national standard fire hydrants” (6). The different fire hydrant connection sizes were initially created to prevent competition among cities. The different fire hydrant supplies were unable to expand to neighboring cities, since each city had their own size. All fire hydrants now need 2.5 inch – hose connection nozzles with 4 threads per inch. There is still a large problem of cities adopting these standards. Many cities only change the sizes once they have a fire. Many fire companies carry hose adapters to work with both hydrants sizes.