Metal thieves taking brass from fire department connections

Metal thieves have stolen the brass from at least five fire department connections outside businesses on the Enumclaw Plateau.

February 17, 2012 8:17 pm

The following is a release issued Friday afternoon by the Enumclaw Fire Department.

Metal thieves have stolen the brass from at least five fire department connections outside businesses on the Enumclaw Plateau.

The connections are located next to or on the outside of a building. They allow crews to boost the pressure in fire sprinkler systems or provide water to fire hoses inside the buildings.

So far, the fire department has identified five businesses that have had their brass from fire department connections stolen, but more could have taken place.

An FDC (fire department connection) is typically located in a remote portion of a property and often is not readily visible. This makes it easy for thieves to steal the brass without being seen.

Thieves typically get $15 to $25 for each brass connection. Thefts have been rampant throughout the Puget Sound area.

The thefts pose a risk to the public and business if there is a fire.If the FDC is missing, firefighters will not be able to supplement the sprinkler system or get water to firefighting crews inside the building of multistory businesses.

The fire department offers the following tips to protect businesses from these types of thefts:

• Report suspicious activity by calling 911. No one except the fire department or a sprinkler installation company should ever be removing or working with an FDC. Theft of FDCs typically takes place late at night.

• Businesses should check their FDCs regularly to ensure they are in place. Again, theft should be reported immediately.

• Salvage yards should never accept any brass painted red, that states, “Fire Department Connection,” or that has threaded hose couplings.

• Anyone who sees where an FDC might normally be located but is not, should report the fact to the business. If the business is closed, call 911 to report the possible theft.

• Businesses can protect their property by purchasing a locking plug for their FDC. Information on approved plugs is available by calling the Enumclaw Fire Department fire marshal’s office at 360-615-5756.