What does the NFPA recommend color coding hydrants to indicate?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends color coding fire hydrants primarily to indicate the available flow of water from the hydrant. This system is designed to provide firefighters with immediate, visual information about the capacity and operational effectiveness of the hydrant during an emergency situation.

By implementing specific colors to represent varying flow rates, firefighters can quickly assess whether a hydrant can deliver enough water for fire suppression efforts without needing to physically test the hydrant prior to use. Generally, for instance, hydrants that can deliver higher flow rates (such as 1,000 gallons per minute or more) might be painted in a certain color, while those with lower capacities would be indicated using different colors. This standardized visual cue is crucial for efficiency and safety in emergency response situations.