Help

HydrantMap.org is free to use. You can view the map without an account; an OpenStreetMap account is only needed for editing.

Working with the map

You can find fire water supply points, inspect details, measure distances and add known hydrant information.

Add new hydrants, suction points and fire water tanks

The add button places new hydrants on the map. On desktop, suction points and fire water tanks are also available in the left toolbar.

View existing objects

Click a symbol on the map. Hydrants open a detail view; fire stations, tanks and ponds show their available information without editing.

Edit properties

After signing in, you can add known hydrant details such as type, diameter, position, pressure, water source, operator or reference number.

Measure distances

The measure tool helps estimate distances on the map. Press Esc once to stop measuring; press Esc again to remove the last point.

What appears on the map

The map shows several kinds of fire water supply points. Editing is currently focused mainly on hydrants.

Hydrant

Underground, pillar, wall and pipe hydrants can be described in OpenStreetMap. Type, diameter, position and the reference from the sign are especially useful.

Suction point

Suction points are prepared places where water can be drawn with a pump. It is worth checking the real-world situation carefully before mapping them.

Fire water tank

Closed fire water containers appear as tanks. Details such as name, operator, volume or reference help people find and check them later.

Fire water pond

Fire water ponds are shown on the map. If a pond needs to be maintained as an area or way, a full OSM editor such as iD or JOSM is the better tool.

Useful tools

A few small tools make navigation, measuring and sharing the map easier.

Left toolbar

• Fullscreen gives the map more room.
• The plus symbols place new hydrants, suction points or fire water tanks.
• The measure icon measures distances.
• The location arrow shows your position if you allow it in the browser.
• The export button opens the PNG export. There you choose the format and map zoom, then mark the desired map area and save it as a PNG.

Search

• The search field jumps to places or addresses. It searches only after you submit.
• The location arrow in the search field activates your GPS position if you allow it in the browser.

Map link

The link button on the right side of the map copies a permalink to the current map view. You can save or share that view.

Before you edit

Viewing works right away. Editing needs an OpenStreetMap account.

Current browser

The map works best in a current browser. Location and fullscreen also depend on what your device allows.

OpenStreetMap account

Changes are saved under your OpenStreetMap name. That keeps edits traceable and lets the community contact you if questions come up.

Create an OpenStreetMap account

Sign-in permission

When you sign in, OpenStreetMap asks whether HydrantMap.org may save changes for you. That permission is used only for the editing features.

Editing tips

Only enter what you have seen yourself or know from a source that OpenStreetMap allows.

Edit a hydrant

After signing in, clicking a hydrant opens the detail view. The form asks for the most important fields and checks them before saving.

Add a hydrant

Choose the hydrant plus button and click the map position. Check whether a hydrant is already mapped nearby. Type, diameter, position, pressure, water source, operator and reference should only be set when known.

Good sources

Local knowledge, on-site survey and clearly compatible open data are good foundations. Please do not copy information from Google Maps, Apple Maps, Bing or similar services.

Good to know

The map helps maintain data. It does not replace reliable information for emergency response or planning.

Freshness

Changes in OpenStreetMap do not always appear on the map immediately. Sometimes it takes a little while until new or changed objects show up.

Large map views

City centers can contain many objects. The map therefore shows objects only at closer zoom levels and can cache loaded areas in your browser if you allow local storage.

Accuracy

OpenStreetMap is maintained by the community. Mistakes, gaps or outdated information can happen and should be checked independently before important decisions.

What this is not for

For complex areas, relations, large data imports or many changes at once, iD, JOSM and coordination with the OSM community are the better path.