Fact Sheet
- Dry Hydrants In Texas
What are dry hydrants?
Dry hydrants are non-pressurized
pipe systems that can be installed in permanent water bodies such as ponds,
lakes, and perennial streams. Pumpers from fire departments can draft water
directly from a dry hydrant. Tankers then shuttle the water to the scene of
the fire. Dry hydrants are also installed in above-ground livestock water-holding
facilities and irrigation wells in locations in Texas where above-ground water
is not available.
Where is a dry hydrant needed?
The dry hydrant system is needed in areas that lack conventional fire protection, systems that cannot handle the large volumes of water due to antiquated systems, or during low water pressure. Low water pressure results from high use times in the summer during the heavy watering season. Dry hydrants continually supply water during freezes when pipes are frozen or when pipes break due to soil heaving during extreme heat in Texas summers.
Why are dry hydrants needed?
Many areas lack adequate water for fire protection. Rural areas have historically been at risk with no conventional hydrants nearby. Now increasing numbers of people are moving into suburban areas around cities outside the reach of conventional fire protection. Open areas, surrounded by subdivisions, have existed for years without water sources to fight fires.
Fire departments must be
able to deliver large volumes of water to fire scenes by tankers. The travel
distance to fill-up points is critical to the fire fighting capability of firefighters.
Travel time to standard fireplugs, miles away, costs precious time and limits
water quantities. Maximum weight limits on county bridges prohibit tanker trucks
from using the shortest routes to fires.
