Dry Hydrant Cistern Installations for Fire Fighting, Community (Municipal) Wildfire Protection & Insurance Risk Mitigation

As wildfires intensify across Canada each year, reliable access to firefighting water is critical for protecting lives, property, and community assets. Our dry hydrant cistern systems (DH&C) are designed to meet these needs, providing dependable drafting points where municipal water infrastructure and alternative water access is limited or unavailable, for example, in a fuel break zone.

Dry hydrants are essential for:

• Business facilities in non-serviced zones requiring municipal and insurance approvals

• Rural and infrastructure-limited communities without pressurized water mains

• Municipalities in Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) zones

• Indigenous communities without municipal water infrastructure

• Agricultural and off-grid properties with elevated fire risks

Each installation is engineered to local requirements, typically with cistern capacities from 10,000 to 500,000+ gallons, equipped with Storz couplings, all-weather access, and purpose-built siting. Systems are installed and tested in collaboration with fire officials, aligning with NFPA 1142, NFPA 20, NFPA 22, NFPA 25, and NFPA 291 standards. The Ontario Fire Code refers to NFPA nomenclature for water supply requirements, in association with any local fire dept.

From single cottages to rural subdivisions and full community projects, we manage design, installation, testing, and documentation, ensuring your dry hydrant is ready when it matters most.

What is a dry hydrant?

A dry hydrant is a non-pressurized standpipe connected to a dependable water source, typically an underground/above-ground fire cistern or a suitable pond/lake. Fire services draft water rapidly from a dry hydrant during a wildfire or structure fire response. 

With regards to risk mitigation, almost all off-grid buildings require firefighter access to a water source of a certain distance, before insurance signs-off and municipal approvals are granted.

Why it matters in wildfire-prone areas

• Immediate access to water where no municipal hydrants exist

• Reduced drafting time and clearer firefighter access

• Proven approach in Jasper and similar rural regions across Canada

• Supports insurance and municipal expectations for wildfire readiness

Services we provide

• Fire protection engineering drawings and stamped approvals

• Dry hydrant design & installation

• Fire prevention cisterns (underground or insulated above-ground)

• Siting & access planning (turning radius, pad, signage, GPS mark)

• Inspection, testing & maintenance

• Drawings, O&M manuals & compliance documentation

Technical Specs (typical)

• CSA B66 or CSA S6 (CHBDC) compliant for Dry Hydrant projects

• H-20 or HS-20, 35–50 MPa, CL-625-ONT bridge code standard

• Storz adapters, protective bollards, fencing, and locking cap

• PVC schedule 80 or 40 pipe

• Suction strainer, screened intake, and anti-vortex plate

• Clearly marked drafting point with road-visible signage and pad

• Year-round access: grade, plow path, turning radius for pumpers/tankers

• Winter considerations: ice clearance, insulated/enclosed appurtenances as needed

Our Process

1. Site assessment – survey access, elevations, setback, and ideal drafting location

2. Design & approvals – storage volume, siting, fittings, drawings, and sign-off

3. Installation – tank placement, piping, Storz connection, pad, and signage

4. Testing & handover – draft/flow confirmation (where required), O&M package, maintenance plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the property insurance requirements in Ontario?

Firefighters require an Approved Water Supply Point (AWSP) that adheres to the Superior Tanker Shuttle Service as outlined by FUS. With compliance proof in hand (FUS-WS7 form, fire department letter, NFPA 1142 proof) insurance companies can approve a better rate, and underwriters can update a property's risk classification (e.g. FUS Protection Class 10 Commercial or FUS Class 5 Residential).

Do I need a cistern if I have lake or pond access?

A dedicated fire cistern offers predictable volume and fast drafting in drought or ice, your local fire department and municipality would have input and provide guidance.

How often should the dry hydrant be inspected?

At minimum, annually and before wildfire season: verify water level, inspect strainers/valves, check signage and access, and coordinate a draft test if required. Liability protection is important to long term safety and sustainability.

Book a site assessment

Book a site assessment for your dry hydrant or fire cistern in Ontario:

Email: Andrew@BlueBearWaterworks.ca