FIRE HYDRANTS

OBJECTIVE Learning Outcome 7 Assessment Criteria 7 Operate Fire Hydrants. 7.1 7.2 State types of fire hydrant. Describe fire hydrant constructions and marking

REFERENCES a. Manual Of Firemanship Book 7. b. Manual Of Firemanship Part 3: Hydraulics and Water Supplies.

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FIRE HYDRANTS
INTRODUCTION Couplings are used to connect individual lengths of fire hose together. Couplings are also used to connect a hose line to a hydrant; to an intake or discharge valve on a engine; or to a variety of nozzles, fittings, and appliances. A coupling is permanently attached to each end of a section of fire hose. TYPES OF HYDRANT The principal features of the types of hydrant at present in use in this country are as follows: (a) Sluice-valve Hydrant. This type of hydrant (Fig. 3) is not placed above the main, but alongside it on a short branch, the water flowing horizontally past the valve, and not vertically as in the screw-down type. It consists of three main castings, the inlet piece which is connected to the pipe, the sluice valve itself, and the duck foot bend leading to the outlet. The opening and closing of the waterway is effected by means of a gate or wedge, having gunmetal faces, which seats on corresponding faces in the body of the valve. Rotation of the spindle raises the wedge until it is clear of the waterway. The spindle passes through the valve cover by means of the usual gland and stuffing box. This hydrant is hydraulically very efficient, and, when the valve is open, gives a full waterway with a negligible loss of pressure.

(b) Screw-down Hydrant. This is probably the commonest type, being found in one or other of its forms in most parts of the country. It is attached directlyto the which is provided at the chosen point with a vertical branch having_a flange to which that of the hydrant is bolted. A mushroom type valve (Fig. 4) closes on a seating in the base of the hydrant body just above the inlet flange. The valve may have a leather, rubber or gunmetal face, while the seating is of gunmetal. The valve is attached to the lower end of a screwed

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stem, and is lifted from its seating by the rotation of a hollow spindle into which the stem screws until it is clear of the waterway. A cover to the hydrant body carries the stuffing box and gland through which the spindle passes. The outlet is bolted to the upper end of a bend leading from the valve seating. The hydraulic efficiency of this type varies greatly with the design of valve and outlet bends.

(c). On the Land. Installed ready to be known as the 'Pillar' (columns).

Figure 5 :The Pillar of Fire Hydrant. CONSTRUCTION Underground hydrant types located in a room made of brick or etc., and its position above or adjacent channels at close to the water main cover made of steel designed to prevent damage when through heavy machinery.

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HYDRANT EQUIPMENTS Divided into three sections, namely: a. False Spindle b. Small Tools: (1) Key closing the opening tap. (2) Hydrant Key. (3) Hydrant Bar.

Figure 3: Small gearvusedcin connection with hydrants: (A) hydrant cover key, (B) water iron, (C) hydrant key, (D) hydrant bar . c. Hydrant Pit and Cover.

Cover

Hydrant Pit

Figure 4: Hydrant Pit and Cover

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SYMPTOMS OF FIRE HYDRANT There are three (3) mark hydrants, namely: a. Signage from the shelf board / Metal: (1) (2) (3) yellow colored background. The letter 'H' and the number of black color. Installed Near Fire Hydrant.

(4) The number of letters indicates the size of the H side of the pipe (size in inches). (5) Number in the letter H at the bottom shows the distance to the hydrant fire (size distance).

b.

Sign of the Stone: (1) (2) (3) yellow color. High stone 2 feet 6 inches from ground level. The letter 'H' colored black.

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c. Marking On the Road / Pedestrian Path. line a yellow measuring 8 feet (2.4 m) long and 4 inches (10.2 cm) wide with two bar at the end of the arrow measuring 1 foot (30.6 cm) long and 4 inches (10.2 cm) wide at the end of an arrow pointing to the tap.

INSPECTION AND TESTING OF HYDRANTS Where by agreement with the water undertakers local authority brigades carry out the inspection and testing of hydrants the latter should be inspected at least twice and where possible four times a year. Inspections should not be undertaken in frosty weather, which would allow water to freeze, and thus constitute a possible danger to pedestrians or traffic. The following points should be watched while the inspections are being made: (a) Care should be taken to see that the outlets of watertight pits are clear. If no outlet is fitted the pit should be emptied with a hydrant pit cleaner or baled out, and must be left dry and clean at the conclusion of the inspection. (b) The frost valve, if fitted, should be inspected to see that it is working properly. It is normally sufficient to check that when the hydrant valve is turned off the water level falls in the outlet limb. If' the frost valve does not open, the hydrant elbow should be tapped lightly, when the valve will probably loosen itself. If it still fails to function it should be removed and a spare valve substituted. (c) The valve spindle should be cleaned, and signs of excessive wear, including leakage from the gland, should be reported. If the hydrant is of the type that carries a false spindle, it should be checked this is in its place, and secured by means of the pin. Using a blank cap on the standpipe, the valve should be operated so that the hydrant is fully open.

To make sure that the hydrant is fully charged after operating the valve, the latter should be closed, the blank cap removed, and valve then partially operated to release a small quantity of water through the hydrant, care being taken to direct the water into the roadway to avoid damage to property. It is desirable to use a blank cap fitted with some form of air release so that any air trapped in the standpipe during testing can be released before the blank cap is removed. (d) The outlet should be tested by fitting the standpipe. The outlet cap, if one is fitted, should then be replaced. (e) If it be thought desirable to carry out flow tests of the main case of any doubt

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as to its capacity, the water authority should be consulted in order that they may be aware of the test and may make arrangements for the attendance of their officials if they so wish. It will normally only be necessary to test mains of 6-in. diameter or below, where the main is of considerable length. The water authority will give information as to the situation of mains with a poor water supply, and these should be borne in mind by officers in charge or fires in their neighbourhood. Discretion should be used in the times at which flow tests are carried out. (f) If a washer is used on the outlet it should be ascertained that this is neither perished nor misplaced.

(g) The brickwork of the pit, the cover and its frame, and the state of the roadway round the frame should all be examined with care, and a report made if any are damaged. It should be borne in mind that a defective hydrant cover or frame may cause injury to a member of the public and result in an action at law. (h) When a ball hydrant still passes water after it has been closed the leak may be due to damage to the covering of the ball. If the latter be pushed down with a broom handle or similar object it will re-seat itself in a different position and a watertight seating may result. The case of the sluice valve hydrant a piece of grit may prevent the complete closing of the gate; in such a case the valve should be reopened, when the flow of water may clear away the obstruction. (i) The paintwork of the indication markings on roadway and walls should be inspected and renewed if necessary, the hydrant tablet cleaned, and any obscuring vegetation cut away. OPERATION OF HYDRANTS Apart from the information contained in Part 2 of the Manual, Chapter 15, 'Practical Pump Operation', the following simple rules should not be forgotten when getting to work from a hydrant. (a) Open the hydrant valve slowly, especially if the hose is connected directly to a branch. (b) Close the valve slowly to prevent water hammer and a possible burst main.

(c) After use see that the hydrant valve is properly closed so that no water leaks out;that the frost valve works, and that the pit is left clean and in a condition in which frost will not damage it. (d) The valve of a hydrant should not be operated when the pit is flooded unless standpipe or hose is first connected. Should the main be empty, opening the valve might allow contaminated water from the pit to flow into the main and thus pollute the supply when it is restored. (f) The standpipe or hose should not be disconnected from a hydrant in which no water is available or from which the flow has failed until the valve has been shut. This will obviate the danger 'of the valve being left open with unfortunate consequences when the supply is restored.

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(g) To avoid the risk of contaminating the water supply every endeavour should bemade to avoid collecting water simultaneously into one pump from a street main and a dirty water, salt water or any other source of supply. Although collecting heads are fitted with non-return valves, grit or other causes of defective closing may allow dirty water to pass in the reverse direction and enter the street mains. CONCLUSION With a deep extension of the fire hydrant will be able to complete tasks properly and effectively.

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