| A faulty fire hydrant on the corner
may make firefighting difficult, but it doesnt affect the homeowners liability if the
house catches fire. Homeowners need to pay more attention to the materials used in
construction of the house, said Holly Staszel, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information
Institute in Washington, D.C.
Before an insurance company takes on the risk of insuring a home, its inspectors
thoroughly check the property against a list of criteria, she said.
Usually, its the availability, the proximity of the fire department that factors into
the premium, she said.
Inspectors take a close look at the roofs shingles, the number of smoke alarms and fire
extinguishers in the house, even the type of paint on the walls and possible asbestos on
pipes in the basement play a larger role in determining insurance premiums than do fire
hydrants, said Jan Voshefsky, Allstate Insurance agent in Daleville.
Placement of hydrants may play a role, however.
Our company has a team currently studying the location of fire hydrants in relation to
homes, said Michelle Fields, spokeswoman for State Farm Insurance.
The cheapest rates go to homes within 1,000 feet of a working hydrant or within three
road miles of a fire station with a 3,000-gallon tanker that would be the first responder
to a fire. Obviously, there is an extra risk to a home if it is located at a distance from
the source of water.
Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania has no specific rules for fire hydrant
placement, so the insurance company representatives have to monitor hydrant placement, she
said.
The local water company has the job of installing hydrants and the municipality must
keep them in working order.
The fire department monitors their condition.
But the condition of the hydrant can make a difference to the homeowner.
Ms. Fields said State Farms policy is to work with the national Insurance Services
Office in New Jersey, which monitors fire hydrant conditions.
Allstate generally depends on local fire companies or water companies for hydrant
conditions, Mr. Voshefsky said.
At the same time, the municipality assumes the liability for any damages incurred if
the hydrant doesnt work, he said.
Groups that oversee fire department operations and set policies for their work are the
people who also establish standards for practices, said Susan McKelvey, spokeswoman for
the National Fire Protection Association. Standards, however, are voluntary for most fire
departments, although most comply, she said.
The NFPA has set standards for marking hydrants that do not work, she said.
However, it is the job of the local agencies to monitor the hydrants. |
