Zanesville Fire Department Reminds Residents to Keep Fire Hydrants Clear

ZANESVILLE, OH – We have seen a lot of snowfall here in Southeastern Ohio over the last several weeks. With more systems on the way, and no sign of melting to occur anytime soon, many areas are piling up with snow.

The Zanesville Fire Department is asking city residents to keep fire hydrants clear of snow. Covering up a fire hydrant is a serious safety hazard and they need to be accessible in the case of a fire.

“It’s important to keep 36 inches around the fire hydrant during the removal of snow. Just because it will allow us easy access to the hydrant and it will not inhibit any of our actions to try to get water out of that hydrant. So that’s why it’s pretty important,” Firefighter and Paramedic Justin Murphy said.

The Ohio Revised Fire Code states that you have to have at least 36 inches of clearance around a fire hydrant at all times. Murphy shares tips on how to avoid covering up a fire hydrant during snow removal.

“Just be aware of where they are. Try not to point the snow blower and blowing snow onto it and do not shovel onto them… When you do clear them, just try to keep 36 inches around them. If they’re far away from the roadway, just try to maybe keep a path just in case we do have to use that fire hydrant. And maybe put salt around it if there’s any ice.”

If you have a fire hydrant near you remember to remove snow and ice within a 3 foot perimeter and to clear a path from the fire hydrant to the street.