What color hydrant indicates a flow rate of 1500 or more GPM?

A blue hydrant indicates a flow rate of 1500 gallons per minute (GPM) or more. This color coding is part of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines and helps firefighters quickly assess the potential water supply available from a hydrant.

The color coding system is designed to enable firefighters to make crucial decisions about their water supply during emergency situations. Blue hydrants signify a very high flow capacity, which is ideal for fighting large fires or where greater water demands are expected.

In contrast, other colors represent different ranges of flow rates. Green hydrants typically indicate a flow rate between 1000 to 1499 GPM, orange represents a flow rate of 500 to 999 GPM, and red indicates a flow rate below 500 GPM. Understanding this color coding is essential for efficiently and effectively responding to fires, as it allows firefighters to quickly identify reliable water sources.