A city without fire safety systems is a disaster in waiting. Fire safety is incomplete without a system of fire hydrants. Fire hydrants are water draw off points provided in the water networks of cities and towns. Fire hydrants enable firefighters to tap into the water supply system and get water to assist in extinguishing fire.
Modern cities take fire safety very seriously. Building codes and regulations ensure that no public buildings are put up without fire safety protocols.
City and municipal planners must make provision for location of fire hydrants in places that are clear and accessible. They are used to preserve life and property in the event of a fire outbreak and notably, their functionality strongly relies on the availability of water.
As required by law, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) provides water hydrants to fight fires as required by law. Water for fighting fires is provided free of charge. Records of water used to fight fire must be taken in order to know how much water was used for emergency firefighting.
There are 897 fire hydrants in Kampala Metropolitan area alone. 376 of the hydrants are located in the city center, an area where a fire outbreak is a constant worry, as it is the central business hub with an overwhelming population.
Whereas it is the responsibility of NWSC to install and ensure the functionality of the hydrants, it is the responsibility of the city and municipal authorities to ensure that access to water hydrants is not blocked. Building standards must ensure that service lanes are provided for and they are wide enough for fire emergency equipment and personnel.
One of the challenges is that some illegal structures have been built in front of water hydrants rendering them inaccessible. Some people have built over hydrants.
There are also unscrupulous players who illegally draw water from fire hydrants and use it for their personal gain. It is only the Police fire brigade and fire emergency services that are authorized to draw water for emergency firefighting.
NWSC has stepped up efforts to ensure availability and functionality of fire hydrants.
More fire hydrants are being installed in places where they are lacking for example; in the Kawempe Town Council, all fire hydrants are metered to enable NWSC keep track of how much water is used and which hydrants are fully functional.
There is routine inspection, maintenance, and flushing to clear blockages and remove foreign materials from fire hydrants lines in case of any.
Inaccessible fire hydrants are relocated to easily accessible areas, damaged fire hydrants are fixed and secured properly and, that illegal use of fire hydrants is penalized.
NWSC is working in collaboration with Uganda Police to ensure that water hydrants are not abused.
