Choosing The Right Fire Hydrant

By Author: Dutco Tennant LLC
Total Articles: 36
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Fire hydrants are one of the most recognizable fire protection systems in the world. Although they have been around for years, not much innovation has been made to these over-the-ground pumps since they are already perfect for extinguishing the fire. Not only are they the most popular fire protection systems but also one of the most reliable ones. Since most of these pumps are connected directly to the water supply, with the help of valves, the water can be controlled. This makes it extremely suitable for firefighters as they can easily supply water and help them control the fire.

Fire hydrants can usually be found in urban areas, near buildings and stores. Although they have been implemented in some rural areas as well, they mostly come in handy in urban locations. This is because most of the time in case of a fire, the fire spreads extremely quickly, and the firefighters need to spray water from more than just one direction. Tall buildings and wide shops may require more water, from different directions, and thus the installation of fire hydrants can come in handy. However, before buying and installing fire hydrants, ...
... contractors must understand the different types of hydrants available.

There are a lot of different types of fire hydrants, with different mechanisms and colors. Different hydrants have different requirements and can be only fitted in an environment that suits their needs. Thus, it is extremely important for contractors to make sure that they are choosing the right kind of hydrant for the right setting otherwise the hydrants may not be able to provide water at critical moments. There are basically two types of fire hydrants, the Wet Barrel Hydrant, and the Dry Barrel Hydrant. The different colours on the hydrants can also signify different things, so that is also something to keep an eye on. But first, let's take a look at the two major types of fire hydrants.

Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant

The Wet Barrel fire hydrants are the most commonly used water hydrants in the world, as they are effective in supplying water, and they have a lot of advantages as well. These fire hydrants are typically used in warmer countries where freezing is not an issue. This is because all the mechanisms are located above the ground. This is one of the biggest advantages, as well as disadvantages of the wet barrel fire hydrant. Since their shut-off valves are located above the ground, they hold water supply in them even after pumping, they can easily supply water whenever required. However, if they are installed in particularly colder areas, the water inside the hydrant can freeze up and block the entire water supply. One of its advantages is that they can be easily repaired as their mechanism is above the ground, and this helps in maintaining the cost. However, since they carry water all the time there is also a chance of water loss if one of them gets vandalized or damaged by a vehicle. Each outlet has a valve that operates independently, and the mechanical parts are easy to access above ground and can be adjusted to the proper height without expensive modifications. Thus, these hydrants are durable, can survive years, can give easy access to water, and be maintained easily. On the other side, they can cause water loss if damaged, and they cannot survive in cold countries or places where water tends to freeze up.

Dry Barrel Fire Hydrant

Unlike the wet barrel system, the Dry Barrel Fire Hydrants have no water in them when the pump is turned off. This is because the barrel of the hydrant is drained or pumped dry when the hydrant is not in use and the shut-off valve is located underground. The dry barrel fire hydrants are mostly used in places or countries where the temperature can easily go below freezing point. As mentioned before, in a wet barrel hydrant, the water would freeze and destroy the hydrant, however, in a dry system, there is no water present within the hydrant thus the problem is solved. On the other hand, maintenance becomes a bit of a hassle since all the mechanisms are below the ground. These hydrants need to be checked regularly using a plumb line. If there is moisture in the hydrant's base, then it means that the drain valve is not functioning properly. These valves are more complex than the wet barrels and could be more costly; however, they have the advantage of working in both conditions, and also if they are damaged, there will be no water loss.

Different colours indicate different things

Although most fire hydrants are painted red, and it is the most popular variant of a fire hydrant, there are a few other colors available as well. The color of the fire hydrant usually depends upon preference however, red is most commonly used since the color red signifies fire protection systems. The neon green colour is also used since it is very bright and can be easily spotted. Non-functional or damaged fire hydrants should be coloured black in order to let firefighters know beforehand. The barrel of the fire hydrants should be yellow if they are public hydrants and red if they are private hydrants. The nozzle of the hydrants also signifies different things. Red nozzles indicate that these hydrants are only for firefighters. The yellow nozzle indicates that the pressure of the water will be high, and a violet nozzle indicates that the water is being supplied from untreated sources like lakes or rivers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the fire hydrant is a life-saving invention and it should be installed in every urban area. Rural areas should also start implementing these systems however, they do require a constant supply of water to work. The wet barrel hydrants are perfect for warm countries whereas the dry ones are more useful in cold locations. The colors also indicate different things so they should be kept in mind as well.

Dutco Tennant LLC offered solution and products for Pipes valves, potable water, waste water, water treatment sector, surveying equipment & services to the civil engineering market.