Fire Plugs

[tallyho8]

I wonder , would ABC insurance co. insure a home in one state that has a volunteer F.D. but, wouldn't insure a home in another state with a volunteer F.D. ?? I know that laws are different in all states which, may not allow insurance companies to say they won't insure because of vol. F.D.. But, my question relates to the same insurance company having different operating policies just because it's another state. My inlaws live in an area (same state as me) with all vol. F.D. & have homeowners insurance but, they don't have the same co. that I have.

YES, insurance companies definitely have different policies in different states. As an example, NO insurance company will offer wind and hail coverage on their homeowners policy in South Louisiana since Katrina even though they offer it in other states with Florida possibly being an exception.

 

[ultrarunner]

My neighbor put in a pond at his country place outside of Georgetown in the Sierra Foothills.

Several times his pond has been sucked dry fighting fires... never a fire on or near his property.

He said it is quite a sight to see the helicopters hoover overhead getting water and on occasion, a pumper truck has been set-up on site to draw from the pond.

He's gotten to know all the local Fire Fighters and told them to feel make themselves at home anytime, all that he asked is that they remember him if he ever has a fire. He's not there much during the week so it gives him some peace of mind.

 

[EddieWalker]

Contact your insurance carrier you should see a drop, ever so slight, now that you have a fire hydrant nearby. Insurance companies usually will give you credit if the fire hydrant is with 1000' of your home.

With my long term goal of building an RV Park on my land, I figured that a 4 inch water line would be plenty for my needs. Then I talked to several insurance companies to see what rates would be like. They have a list of things that determine what they will charge, and a fire hydrant was one of those things. If I have a fire hydrant on my land, my insurance will be less.

I ran a 6 inch water main into my land that I will put a fire hydrant on. Then I will split the line into two 4 inch lines for my water needs. The added expense of the pipe ismore then justified by both the amount of water that I'll have available and the ability to have a fire hydrant.

The water main along the highway that I live on is 12 inches. It has fire hydrants about every 1,000 feet.

Eddie

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Ed,

Glad you want with 6" as that is the minimum size required by NFPA standards which most insurance companies follow. I hope you have a documented maintenance program of inspection, lube, and flowing to continue receiving credit for the hydrant. Once the fire main comes onto private property you have a list of stuff that is required to be done.

If you do not have the latest NFPA codes and need to research the codes, here is link below. You can read BUT not print any NFPA code/standard. The code you want to look at is NFPA 24 for installation requirements and NFPA 25 for care and maintenance requirements.

Click on the code you want

Then go to the bottom of the page and click on "Preview this document".

Then click I agree

Then click on the code you choose at the bottom of the page.

List of NFPA Codes and Standards

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I wonder , would ABC insurance co. insure a home in one state that has a volunteer F.D. but, wouldn't insure a home in another state with a volunteer F.D. ?? I know that laws are different in all states which, may not allow insurance companies to say they won't insure because of vol. F.D.. But, my question relates to the same insurance company having different operating policies just because it's another state. My inlaws live in an area (same state as me) with all vol. F.D. & have homeowners insurance but, they don't have the same co. that I have.

Ken,

It may all be driven by the ISO rating of the FD. They may have a policy that they will not insured any home with an FD ISO rating of say 7,8,9,10. Insurance companies can pick choose what they want to write. I do it everyday working of an insurance company. If I look at a business and it has too many uncontrolled fire hazards I tell my underwriter not to write this company and for the most part they do not. In the insurance world we have a thing called loss ratio, if it is above 100, meaning you took in $ and paid out more $$ in claims, profit sharing for that year is not too good. Most insurance companies have stock holders who what dividends and a profit each year.

 

[EddieWalker]

Ed,

Glad you want with 6" as that is the minimum size required by NFPA standards which most insurance companies follow. I hope you have a documented maintenance program of inspection, lube, and flowing to continue receiving credit for the hydrant. Once the fire main comes onto private property you have a list of stuff that is required to be done.

I failed to mention the best part of putting in the six in main water line and fire hydrant. After I pay for the materials and install it, I donate it to the Water District. They will do all the taps for a meter, install the meters and maintain everything before the meters. I've had two leaks so far in the six inch main. The first time was because they failed to block the end of the line properly, and after a very sever storm, the last pipe slid out of the line. When a six inch line is let loose, it's a massive amount of water that comes out!!!! The second time was probably a result of the first leak. A month or so later, there wasa small leak that was coming up. The pipe was leaking at the seal. They dug it up, cut out the seal and replaced it with a stainless steel sleeve. Since they now own the water line, even though it's on my land, they are responsible for it.

I'm doing the same thing with me sewage lines, collection tank and preasure line to their manhole. But that's another story that won't happen for awhile.

Eddie

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I failed to mention the best part of putting in the six in main water line and fire hydrant. After I pay for the materials and install it, I donate it to the Water District. Eddie

Eddie,

1 less thing to worry about.

 

[marks]

I would assume that the local FD carries more than 600' of supply line, (an assumption that can be clarified with a phone call). In regards to the usage of ponds and such, they require labor and time intensive drafting operations, that could use the precious minutes needed to make a rescue. Yes, most engines carry between 400-750 gallons of water, but it can go quickly when things become hectic. I'm certain the local engine company would be glad to assess the situation at your residence. Hope this helps.

 

[RobertN]

So, who knows what a fire plug really is? Where the term came from?

 

[cjcocn]

So, who knows what a fire plug really is? Where the term came from?

That's a good question. For all I know it could be because old water mains were wood and had plugs in them for water supply access. But then again I ain't been learned as much as some of these other fellas here.