Most of us will have walked past the bright yellow and black H signs dotted around our streets without giving it a second thought. But for some, when they did wonder what it was for they came up with some far-fetched ideas.
Many thought it meant there was a helicopter landing pad nearby while others thought it meant there was a hospital. Now South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has give people the answer in a TikTok video.
Posting a picture of the sign they wrote: "You've walked past these small yellow signs your whole life. but it was today you realised , finally, after all these years. They are there to tell firefighters where the hydrants are."
And their video sparked more than 17,000 likes and almost 300 comments from people. And while many said they already knew it plenty of others expressed their surprise.
Summerdaysinwoods wrote: "Thought it was H for helicopters". Jeremy added: "I thought it was a helicopter landing pad." Em agreed saying: " I used to think it was H for helicopter landing." While Elizabeth added: "Me brother use to say it was how many helicopters crashed there."
Ayra had an even more out of this world idea. They wrote: "I thought it meant 'haunted'." And Isha said: "I thought it was telling where the nearest hospital was."
Belinda said: "Good to know. Thank you for sharing." And Chloe said: "Well I learnt something new today, thank you."
Others went on to explain the signs in more detail. BoB! said: "100mm water main 10 metres away" to which the fire service answered "correct". Others were more general explaining the top number was the size of the main that feeds the hydrant in millimeters and the bottom the distance from the plaque to the main. Others pointed out that older signs - pre-1980 - would be in the old imperial measurements.
But several were amazed at how many people didn't know what it meant. TessaLiverpool said: "But everyone already knows this" only for the fire service to reply: "Nooooo".
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