Delaware Administrative Code
Title 1 - Authorities, Boards and Commissions
700 - Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission
703 - Installation, Operation, Maintenance, Testing and Sales of Signaling Systems, Fire Protection Systems and Fire Extinguishers
Chapter 3 - Standard for Fire Hydrant Maintenance, Inspection, Testing, and Marking
Section 703-3-2.0 - Physical Mechanical Testing Criteria For Fire Hydrants

2.1.1 All hydrants shall be inspected and operated annually and after each use within five (5) working days upon notification. Particular attention shall be paid to the general condition of the hydrant to include:

2.1.2 Records of inspections and corrective actions for noted deficiencies shall be maintained by the water supplier at their main office for a period of three (3) years.

2.2.1 Individual water suppliers shall provide verification (but not the actual inspection form) of hydrant inspections in accordance with § 2.1.1 of this Chapter to the respective fire company, upon the request of the fire company.

2.3.1 The water supplier shall be responsible (within their legal limits) for maintaining an eight foot (8') clear path to all hydrants, a four foot (4') clear radius around hydrants and providing for the top frost flange or indicating mark at final grade level.

2.4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the water supplier, upon learning of an out of service hydrant, to immediately notify the appropriate fire dispatch center of this condition along with an estimated time for repair and to notify the fire dispatch center when the hydrant is back in service.

2.4.2 It shall be the authority of the fire chief, Fire Marshal, or his duly authorized representative to require within 24 hours priority repair to that hydrant if, in their opinion, fire protection to that area is seriously diminished by said hydrant remaining out of service. It shall be the authority of the fire chief, Fire Marshal, or his duly authorized representative to increase the time period if justified.

2.4.3 If a hydrant is to be out of service for more than 30 calendar days, it shall be the responsibility of the water supplier to notify the Office of the State Fire Marshal with a corrective plan of action and have the hydrant securely covered with a burlap or black heavy duty plastic bag until the hydrant is placed back into service.