We walk by them every day without really thinking about it. Have you ever noticed that there are different colored fire hydrants?

No, it's not random or for decoration. Apparently, each color signifies something different. According to Business Insider, the different colors represent how many gallons per minute (GPM) the hydrant releases.

Hydrants with a higher GPM can extinguish larger fires, according to the source.

Here are the most popular hydrant colors: red, orange, yellow, blue, violet, and green.

What Does Each Of Them Mean?

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Red

Red is the most popular colored fire hydrant. When you see a red hydrant, that means the hydrant sends out 500 GPM or less. These are ideal for 2-story houses that are 50x50x20 ft tall.

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Orange

According to the source, if you see an orange hydrant in North Dakota, that means it is capable of  500 - 1,000 GPM. This is ideal for a 4-story structure that is 50x50x40 ft.

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Green

I'll admit, I'm not sure I've ever seen a green fire hydrant in North Dakota. If you do, just know it releases 1,000 - 1,500 GPM. This is meant for 4-story structures that are 61x61x40, according to Business Insider.

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Yellow

You may see yellow hydrants or red hydrants with yellow rings. The color indicated that the water comes from a public supply system.

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Violet

If you see a blue hydrant in North Dakota, that means the water comes from a lake or pond.

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Blue

Blue hydrants have the highest GPM (500 or more). These would be placed where there are much bigger structures that are 70x70x40 ft.

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Black 

According to Firehouse.com fire hydrants are painted black when water isn't flowing properly, and the hydrant needs repair. This could also mean that it is a low-water volume area.

Keep In Mind

These are what the colors signify nationally; Different areas could make a slightly different code/system. So, while generally, this is what the different colors are known to mean; it could vary from place to place.


 

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