Necessary maintenance of fire hydrants
Fire hydrants are important infrastructure that must be operational at any moment. Water utilities are usually responsible for maintaining hydrants in good working order, therefore it is essential that utilities ensure proper hydrant function using a testing and maintenance program.
With any waterworks infrastructure that will be buried underground for long periods – regularly exceeding 50 years – proper maintenance is essential to ensure assets perform as needed and meet their expected lifespan. However, unlike many appliances, a fire hydrant that does not work when needed can have serious consequences.Fire Hydrant Maintenance
Key considerations when maintaining fire hydrants
The most effective way to maintain a fire hydrant in good condition is to conduct a semi-annual or annual testing and maintenance program. The frequency of testing and maintenance depends on the type of fire hydrants in the system (e.g., dry barrel vs. wet barrel) and the climate in which they are installed. For example, fire hydrants in cold or harsh climates may need frequent inspections and maintenance.
Best practices for testing and maintaining fire hydrants
Regular maintenance and inspection:
Inspecting and maintaining hydrants on a regular schedule is critical to the success of the program. For detailed procedures on inspection and maintenance.
Do the fire hydrant exercise:
This will ensure that the fire hydrant works as expected. It is important that when a fire hydrant is turned on, the auxiliary valve associated with the hydrant is also turned on.
Lubricate regularly:
Fire hydrants are usually painted or lubricated. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding lubrication. Without proper lubrication, corrosion can occur which makes it difficult — or in some cases, impossible — to operate the faucet.
Wash fire hydrants:
It is important to remove any foreign materials that may be inside the fire hydrant or lead line. While cleaning, we saw many mysterious objects, such as soda cans, tire inner tubes, bathroom rugs, and pieces of wood. These items can block the main valve of a fire hydrant, hindering the ability to open or close the hydrant.
Check for standing water:
Checking a fire hydrant for standing water is especially important in cold climates. A high water level or blocked drain holes can cause water to accumulate in a fire hydrant. This accumulated water causes the faucet to freeze and damage it. A post-rinse check can be done by placing your hand over the exposed nozzle to feel small amounts of suction. This indicates that the fire hydrant is draining properly. Some fire hydrants located in areas with high water levels may have blocked drains. These need to be pumped after use.
Check traffic features:
During the inspection, double-check that the breakaway devices are not damaged. Depending on the age and type of fire hydrant, this feature can be separate flanges or detachable bolts. Some models of fire hydrants do not have a separate design. It is also important to inspect the areas around the fire hydrant. Make sure there are no obstructions hiding the fire hydrant, such as bushes or debris. Homeowners sometimes landscape around faucets to hide them from view or to beautify the area. However, with a lack of maintenance, these hydrants can easily become difficult for firefighters to find.
Check the height of fire hydrants:
A fire hydrant that is incorrectly height above the ground line can have serious effects if it is struck by a vehicle. Burying the faucet too low may cause the faucet to not break as expected during an impact and make it difficult to remove the spout covers. A hydrant buried too high may allow the vehicle to impact the lower barrel. Improper fire hydrant height can also cause further damage to the vehicle during a collision and damage water piping systems.
Checking for leaks:
The faucet can be pressed to check for leaks. This is accomplished by removing the faucet cover and running the faucet a few cycles. Allow the faucet barrel to fill until a small amount comes out of the nozzle, allowing as much air as possible to escape. Replace the cap and open the faucet completely. With the tap pressed, check all visible connections for leaks. A leaky faucet can cause many problems, including soil erosion in areas with poor drainage, accelerated corrosion, and groundwater contamination.
Check the water tap outlet nozzle covers:
Over time, corrosion may make it difficult to remove the nozzle caps. Remove covers and clean them during each inspection. Adding food-grade lubricant or anti-stick materials to the spout and cap teeth can help make future operation easier.
Keep maintenance records:
It is important for the facility to know which taps have been repaired/inspected or need to be repaired/inspected. This is an important part of any maintenance and inspection program, and this step would benefit from more detail. It is also important that any problem discovered during the inspection is fixed in a timely manner. Any fire hydrant deemed inoperable should be black bagged or labeled to prevent accidental use, and the hydrant should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.
Additional considerations when maintaining fire hydrants
Water utilities also need to ensure that newly purchased faucets have the same threads and operating nut size as other faucets in the area. Firefighters must be able to quickly access fire hydrants
If the wrenches and hoses are not suitable, this can cause serious delays. Faucets with stainless steel components will last longer and be better protected against corrosive or hot soil. Proper blocking and drain field installation will also help improve the performance and longevity of the faucet.
There are no shortcuts when it comes to manufacturing fire hydrants because they have a critical function and need to perform at a moment’s notice. The most common cause of failure is the lack of a proactive and preventative maintenance program. Utility crews with robust maintenance programs will have fewer repairs and more reliable hydrants.
Most manufacturers have a step-by-step document that guides operators through the process of maintaining and inspecting fire hydrants. Also, as previously mentioned generally, the mechanics of fire hydrants don’t change much over the years, so once you have a good understanding of the basics, you should be set for a long time.
