Installation and Maintenance

Modern hydrants are intended to sit idle for many years, yet must be ready to deliver a large volume of water in an emergency. To maintain this readiness calls for proper installation and periodic maintenance. AWWA’s M-17 Manual for Field Testing, Installation, Operation & Maintenance of Fire Hydrants is used by utilities and manufacturers alike as the guide for installing and maintaining hydrants. In general, hydrants should be inspected at least annually for missing or broken parts, water infiltration through the drains, and signs of main valve leakage. If the hydrant is relubricatable, the oil or grease level should be checked and refilled if necessary. Hydrants should also be operated periodically to assure the mechanism is working without binding.

When installing a hydrant one of the keys to proper operation is to assure the pipes leading to the hydrant are clear of any construction debris, such as rocks that could damage the main valve. Also, because the hydrant is attached to the end of a pipe, it must be set firmly in place on a firm footing and with sufficient blocking or use of joint restraints to prevent movement in use or leakage at its connection to the main. A shutoff valve in the line just ahead of the hydrant is also recommended to allow water pressure to be shut off during maintenance.

The Changing View of Hydrant Security

Fire hydrants must be in open locations and accessible 24/7. This makes water theft and vandalism involving fire hydrants difficult to prevent. Early in the hydrant’s history, theft of water was the chief concern, and they were often covered by lockable wooden enclosures. Later, a pentagon-shaped operating nut replaced the handle as a deterrent.

In recent years as theft of parts to sell for scrap has become more prevalent, hydrant protection devices have become more sophisticated. There are many third-party accessories available to shield the operating nut and nozzles from unauthorized operation or removal of parts. These are “active” devices, meaning they are added to standard hydrants and do not allow access by anyone including emergency crews unless they have the tool that deactivates the shield. Usually, the tool is a special wrench using magnets or uniquely shaped engagement features to access a hidden locking mechanism and allow the operating nut or nozzle caps to be turned.

With the tragic events of 9/11, national and local governments and water utilities are aware vandalism may have more sinister intentions than merely stealing hydrant parts or water. Now there is concern that hydrants represent perhaps the most accessible point for purposeful contamination of the potable water supply, and the commonly used shields may not stop a determined individual.

One of the first devices specifically to address this threat uses an assemblage of heavy stainless-steel bands to wrap the hydrant and prevent turning the operating nut or removing the nozzle caps. It can be locked in place using a hardened stainless-steel barrel lock that the supplier keys and sells only to registered customers.

The active aspect of existing devices and the uncertainty of keeping special tools out of circulation have led to new developments in hydrant security. These new “passive” devices protect the hydrant 24/7 without visible shielding devices. They use a check valve inside the hydrant to block any material from being introduced into the public water supply through the hydrant, on purpose or by accident. Located inside the hydrant, the check valve is invisible and inaccessible, and virtually impossible to overcome. An important benefit of this new approach is emergency and maintenance crews can access protected hydrants as they would an unprotected one.

Another of the devices is offered by a major hydrant manufacturer as an option on its hydrants and incorporates the check valve as an integral part of the hydrant inlet connect. This manufacturer also offers a stand-alone version of the check valve that can be installed on any brand of hydrant that uses a mechanical joint type inlet connection. Because these check valves are located in the hydrant inlet, they do not interfere with normal hydrant operation or maintenance and do not have to be removed. There are also check valves built into hydrant nozzles that can be installed on new or existing hydrants. These, too, do not interfere with hydrant maintenance.

The ubiquitous fire hydrant is recognized by everyone. You can ask anyone what it does and they can give you a reasonable explanation. But ask them how it works and you are likely to get a blank look in return. Perhaps it’s that mysterious aspect of the fire hydrant that makes this protector of life and property so intriguing. Or maybe it’s just its form, not its function, that draws us to it.

Robert Abbott is director of corporate marketing communication for Mueller Co. (www.muellercompany.com). He is a member of the VMA Communications Committee and can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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REFERENCES

1. “Papers on Hydraulic Engineering,” by Samuel McElroy, C.E., April 1865 (Vol. XLIX-Third Series-No.4-April, 1865-Page 236) issue of the Journal of The Franklin Institute.
2. “Development of the Fire Hydrant Parallels Growth of Water Works,” the May/June 1948 issue of Mueller Record.
3. “Historic Development of the Fire Hydrant,” by L.A. Jackson, September 1944 issue of Journal AWWA.
4. “The importance of fire hydrant inspection,” by Dick Seevers, Mueller Co. form 11735.