A contractor for Sandy Springs in September will begin inspecting the 3,300 fire hydrants that are located in public right of way.
Since the city of Sandy Springs incorporated in December 2005, it has ordered only one inspection of the fire hydrants located along public roads and called “public” hydrants by city officials. Those hydrants are owned and maintained by the Atlanta Watershed Department.
Beginning this budget year, Sandy Springs will conduct two inspections of the public hydrants a year.
The Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Department in August awarded the contract to Buford-based American Flow Services, also called AmFlow, according to Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Ham. The contract, which was allotted $90,000 in the 2011 budget, came in at about $77,000, Ham said.
“We’re set and ready,” Ham said.
He said AmFlow and Sandy Springs officials will meet Sept. 3 and inspections should start in about two weeks.
Each fire hydrant will undergo a 40-point inspection that consists of flushing, lubing and painting it with reflective silver paint. If the location of the hydrant hasn’t been marked with a Global Positioning System, crews will mark its location.
Ham said AmFlow crews will start in north Sandy Springs and work south. He said it should take workers about three months to complete the inspections.
Another inspection should take place at the beginning of 2011, Ham said.