When color-coding fire hydrants, which color would the bonnet be on a hydrant flowing 500-999 gpm?

The correct choice is orange. When fire hydrants are color-coded based on the flow capabilities of the water they can provide, specific colors are attributed to specific flow ranges to help firefighters quickly assess their capabilities during an emergency situation.

For hydrants that can flow between 500 to 999 gallons per minute (gpm), the color code assigned is generally orange. This color indicates a moderate level of flow, which can effectively meet the needs of certain types of fires but may not be sufficient for larger incidents. The use of orange allows firefighters to identify the hydrant’s capacity quickly and make decisions accordingly based on the flow needed for their operation, whether it be for structural fires or other fire suppression activities.

The other colors correspond to different flow ranges; red usually indicates a very low flow (less than 500 gpm), green signifies a higher flow capacity (1000-1499 gpm), and light blue represents the highest flow category (1500 gpm and above). Knowing these color codes is essential for efficient resource management in firefighting operations.