- Home
- Departments
- Fire Department
- Hydrants
Hydrants
There are over 1200 hydrants located in the Town of Clayton as required to provide adequate fire protection.
A Fire hydrant is an outlet from a water main, often consisting of an upright pipe with a valve attached from which water can be tapped.
It is a source of water provided in most towns with municipal water service to enable firefighters to tap into the municipal water supply to assist in extinguishing a fire.
Hydrant Maintenance
Each year the Town works to reduce the number of inoperable hydrants through:
- Flushing
- Pressure Testing
- Maintenance
Hydrant Painting
During the warmer months of the year, the Town begins its hydrant painting program to update the aesthetics of the water hydrants in Town.
Hydrant Banding
After hydrants are painted, the fire department sends crews out to put a color-coded numbered band on each hydrant to identify that hydrant. The band color represents the GPMs (gallons per minute) the hydrant flows. The colors are as follows:
- Red: 0 to 499 GPM
- Orange: 500 to 999 GPM
- Green: 1000 to 1499 GPM
- Blue: 1500 or more GPM
If you see a hydrant without a band on it, know that the fire department is aware, and in the process of getting it banded.
Hydrant Flushing
Municipalities are required to perform hydrant flushing once per year by the Department of Insurance. Flushing hydrants helps to lower the town's fire protection rating, which in turn lowers your property insurance premiums. Flushing also helps to clean sediments and other deposits out of the water system that build up over time.
What to Expect While Flushing
The fire department flushes hydrants with a crew of firefighters on a fire truck. This is done so that the crew is ready to respond immediately if they receive an emergency call. When a hydrant is flushed, large amounts of water are flowing through the water lines. This causes any sediment that has settled on the bottom of pipes to break free. Crews allow water to flow out of the lines until the water becomes clean and clear. You may notice your water become a rust color when you first use it after flushing has occurred. Don't be alarmed. Allow your water to flow for a few minutes, and it should clear right up.
-
Fire Department
Physical Address
325 W Horne Street
Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: 919-553-1520Emergency Phone: 911
- Why do fire trucks sometimes travel with their lights and siren on, and then all of a sudden turn them off?
-
When a call for service is dispatched, CFD responds with specific apparatus and manpower, depending upon the type of call. When a CFD representative (Chief Officer, first-in Engine, etc) arrives and conducts a "size-up", additional resources may be canceled from the call or told to reduce their response to a routine response.
- My fire alarm went off and I contacted my alarm company and told them everything was OK and not to send the Fire Department and they still showed up, why?
-
When a fire alarm company contacts our dispatch center (Johnston County E-911 Communications) and they dispatch us, we have to respond to the incident for insurance purposes. Sometimes, the dispatcher will inform us that the alarm company has requested to cancel, and at that time the Officer in-charge will inform the additional responding apparatus to cancel and the closest unit will respond to the incident. When we arrive we check for things such as:
- Ensure the alarm system functioned correctly
- Ensure a fire that has been extinguished has not spread to an adjacent area
- Ensure no malicious acts are being done (starting a fire and then telling the alarm company to cancel the fire department)
- Ensure the area doesn't need to be ventilated
- Depending upon damage (even from small fires), insurance companies sometimes require a fire report
- Answer any questions the homeowner/resident/business owner has.
- Can I be fined for false fire alarms? What constitutes a false alarm?
-
Yes. For Town of Clayton residents, there is an alarm ordinance. A false alarm is an alarm in which the system malfunctions for no apparent reason, or where a system is activated (manual pull station) when there is no fire. A fire alarm that goes off for accidental reasons such as burnt food is not considered a false alarm (the system is doing what it's designed to do) but repeat offenses may result in suggestions and/or recommendations from the Fire Marshal.
If you have a question you don't see in the FAQs, feel free to contact Clayton Fire Department at 919-553-1520, or you can "Like" us on Facebook and ask us there!