Fire hydrants have several key components and uses. The upper section includes outlets that connect to hoses for firefighting. The lower section connects to water mains and contains a main valve. There are different types of hydrants like dry barrel for freezing climates and wet barrel that are always full of water. Proper installation is important, making sure the hydrant has good footing and drainage, is visible to crews, and can be easily accessed and operated during an emergency. Routine maintenance like inspections helps ensure hydrants remain functional.

1. Fire Hydrants

2. Overview Hydrant Uses Hydrant parts 3. Types of hydrants 4. Inspection and installation 5. Operation and maintenance

3. Hydrant Uses 1. Fire fighting 2. Flushing mains/sewers 3. Filling tank trucks for offsite delivery 4. Construction use

4. Hydrant Parts Upper section -business end of hydrant -connection to fire hose or pump truck Lower section -connects to main -can create negative pressure

5. Upper Section Components Operating nut (5-sided)--turn counterclockwise Upper barrel (cast/duct iron)--carries water to nozzle outlets Outlet nozzles (threaded bronze) 1. Connect hose (use main pressure 2. Connect suction hose -- pumper truck Most hydrants: 2--2.5” nozzles (direct hose connection) 1--4.5” nozzle (for suction)

6. Lower Section Components Lower barrel (static/centrifugally cast iron): carries water between base and upper barrel Connection to upper barrel > 2” from ground line Main valve --operating stem, resilient valve gasket (see next slide) Base --AKA: shoe, elbow, foot, inlet piece ground line 2”

7. Common hydrants 1. Dry barrel Wet-top Dry-top 2. Wet barrel 3. Warm climate 4. Flush Dry barrel hydrant: -main valve, drain at base -filled w/ water only when main valve open -drain opens as main valve closes -ideal for freezing climates

8. Common hydrants 1. Dry barrel Wet-top Dry-top 2. Wet barrel 3. Warm climate 4. Flush Wet-top hydrant: -threaded end of operating rod and operating nut not sealed from water

9. Common hydrants 1. Dry barrel Wet-top Dry-top 2. Wet barrel 3. Warm climate 4. Flush Dry-top hydrant: -threaded end of operating rod and operating nut are sealed from water

10. Common hydrants 1. Dry barrel Wet-top Dry-top 2. Wet barrel 3. Warm climate 4. Flush Wet barrel hydrant: -no main valve -always filled with water -if broken, water will flow until repaired Warm climate hydrant: -lower barrel always full, under pressure -no drain

11. Common hydrants 1. Dry barrel Wet-top Dry-top 2. Wet barrel 3. Warm climate 4. Flush Flush hydrant: -below ground (flush) -operating nut, nozzles in box w/ removable cover -airports, pedestrain malls

12. Dry hydrant main valves 1. Standard compression 2. Slide gate 3. Toggle Standard compression: -sealed by upward water pressure from main on valve seal ring -turning operating stem pushes lower valve plate down--water comes up!

13. Dry hydrant main valves 1. Standard compression 2. Slide gate 3. Toggle Slide gate: -simple gate valve -turning operating stem raises gate--allowing water into lower barrel

14. Dry hydrant main valves 1. Standard compression 2. Slide gate 3. Toggle Toggle: -valve opens horizontally -operating arms sciscor and pull valve open -lower barrel extends below connection to main

15. opening fire hydrant valve

16. Auxillary Valve -should be installed on every hydrant -can turn individual hydrants off for repair -flanged connection common water main

17. Breakaway hydrants -”Traffic” design -easier to repair if hit by vehicle -two-part barrel with flanged coupling -designed to break on impact avoiding damage below ground -no excavation required

18. Inspection and Installation -inspect at time of delivery operating nut: size, shape, turn orientation outlet nozzle: size, config., thread dimensions inlet connection: size, type, main valve size -after inspection: cycle full open/close -storage: indoors, no water entry

19. Installation concerns 1. Location 2. Footing, blocking 3. Drainage 4. Color Location: -setback 2’ from curb (or further if no curb) -pumper outlet faces street -guard posts 2’ setback auxillary valve Valve box pumper outlet

20. Installation concerns 1. Location 2. Footing, blocking 3. Drainage 4. Color Footing, blocking: -firm footing (concrete slab) -blocking keeps hydrant stable relative to main (in case of water hammer) -tie hydrant valve to main thrust block 3/4” shackle rods (tie to main if blocking not possible) footing

21. Installation concerns 1. Location 2. Footing, blocking 3. Drainage 4. Color Drainage: -1/3 yard drainage stone below hydrant and above drain -put barrier above stone to prevent clogging with dirt clean drainage stone soil barrier

22. Installation concerns 1. Location 2. Footing, blocking 3. Drainage 4. Color Color: -visible colors -reflective paint -color coding capacity

23. Installation concerns 1. Location 2. Footing, blocking 3. Drainage 4. Color

24. Hydrant Maintenance -inspected annually, twice annually in cold climates -make sure dry before winter (in freezing climates) -keep electronic records

25. End Chapter 9