A fire hydrant is an apparatus by which firemen and emergency personnel can access a fire-fighting water supply, usually located underground. It's part of effective active fire protection. Fire hydrants have long been utilized in Europe and Asia, mostly since the late 18th century. Above-ground pedestal-type hydrants, on the other hand, are a late 19th-century innovation. Below-ground fire hydrants differ from other types of firefighting devices in the way they pump water and extinguish the fire. Each fire hydrant contains a hoist that allows it to be reached by firemen and emergency personnel. Once they locate the device, the fireman pulls a lever, activating the water contained within. Most fire hydrants contain two compartments with a storage tank below and a nozzle on the top. Water pumped from the compartment falls down the chimney, while the water from the nozzle heads out into the room of the fire. A key safety feature of a hydrant is that it is designed...