Start with what the fire department asked for
Hydrant requirements come from the fire authority. In Burbank that's the city's own fire department. Its Fire Prevention Bureau handles plan checks and fire permits for new construction and tenant improvements, so ask that office what your project needs before anyone digs. Get it in writing. Where the hydrant goes and how much water it must deliver come from that requirement; the installer builds to it.
What the installation involves
A private hydrant isn't a standalone part. It sits at the end of a private fire service main: the underground pipe from the water connection to the hydrant and, on many sites, on to the building's sprinkler system too. NFPA 24 is the standard for that main and everything attached to it, so it governs how the pipe, valves and hydrant go in the ground.
A typical job runs like this:
- Get flow and pressure data for the site from the water utility.
- Lay out the main, control valve and hydrant on the plans.
- Trench, lay the pipe and set the hydrant.
- Pressure-test and flush the new main before it goes into service.
- Backfill and restore the surface.
Our work is the private side of the connection. Ask BWP's Water Division what its own estimate covers.
Burbank Water and Power's part
Burbank Water and Power, the city-owned utility, supplies Burbank's water. When the Fire Department requires new hydrants or fire services, the applicant requests an estimate from BWP's Water Division and pays the deposit, and only then does the Water Division approve the plans. So request it early.
Flow data comes from BWP as well. Its Water Service Planning page has a Hydrant Flow Data Request form for flow and pressure tests ($125 per request outside R-1 and R-2 zones), and those results show what the city system can deliver to your new hydrant.
One more city rule applies to whoever submits the fire system plans. That contractor needs a current Burbank business tax, and an out-of-town firm must first pay a Contractor's City Business Tax at the Building Division.
Who does the work, and what comes after
California work for 1 Pro Fire is performed by Hedrick Fire Protection. Hedrick holds C-16 (fire protection) and C-10 (electrical) contractor licenses and is licensed by the California State Fire Marshal under Title 19 for inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. That license covers what comes next.
Under NFPA 25, a private hydrant gets a flow test and inspection every year. See annual fire hydrant testing in Burbank for what that visit covers. For upkeep between tests, see fire hydrant maintenance.
What to send us first
Start with the paperwork. The address, the fire department's requirement, where your plans stand in review and, if you have it, BWP's flow data tell us most of what we need. From there we look at the site and quote the job. Call (213) 568-0188 or email socal@1profire.com.
Outside Burbank? See fire hydrant installations in Los Angeles County or fire hydrant installations in Orange County. More local services are on our Burbank fire protection page.
Burbank hydrant installation questions
Do you service Burbank?
Yes. Burbank is a listed service area for us, covering ZIP codes from 91501 to 91526.
If it's a new building, will it need sprinklers too?
Yes. Burbank's local amendment to fire code Section 903.2 requires automatic sprinklers in all newly constructed occupancies, and systems with 20 or more sprinklers need electronic monitoring of valves and water-flow switches. See fire sprinkler installation.
What will it cost, including tax?
It depends on the site. Pipe length, what the trench cuts through and the hydrant the requirement calls for all move the price, and BWP's estimate and deposit are paid to BWP, apart from our quote. We price it after seeing the site.
Can you look at an existing hydrant that's damaged?
Yes. Our fire hydrant repair page covers that work.