How far must fire hydrants be located from any sanitary sewer, both vertically and horizontally?

The placement of fire hydrants in relation to sanitary sewers is determined by safety and operational standards to prevent potential contamination of the water supply. A required horizontal distance of 9 feet between fire hydrants and sanitary sewers helps ensure that any leak from the sewer does not pose a risk to the hydrant or the potable water supply.

Maintaining this specific distance minimizes the risk of cross-contamination from sewage and provides ample working space for maintenance crews to access both the hydrant and the sewer system without interference. This distance is based on standard practices and regulations that aim to safeguard public health.

Vertical clearance between the hydrants and sewers is also critical to ensure that water from the hydrants is not impacted by sewer drainage or flooding, further reinforcing the importance of this specific distance.