Question: Why are fire hydrants different colors?
Answer: Fire hydrant colors actually reveal how much water they can pump. Cities use color-coded tops and nozzle caps so firefighters instantly know a hydrant’s water-flow strength.
Here’s what each color means:
- Red: Less than 500 GPM (lowest flow)
- Orange: 500–999 GPM
- Green: 1,000–1,499 GPM
- Blue: 1,500+ GPM (highest flow)
It’s a quick visual system that helps firefighters pick the best hydrant in an emergency.
