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TYPES
OF DRY FIRE HYDRANTS |
Conventional
The conventional dry hydrant consists of 6” PVC Schedule-40 Pipe with
a head assembly that has International Fireman’s Threads (IFT). It is placed
into the ground at various depths, normally from 4 to 6 feet. The strainer is
placed at the end at a depth, not to exceed, 2 feet from the bottom of the reservoir.
The horizontal pipe should be placed at a maximum of 15ft. into the deepest
part, from the edge of the reservoir. The vertical pipe, which is attached to
the horizontal pipe by a 90-degree or 45-degree elbow, is at a height, which
allows 2 ft. above the ground level. These hydrants are used in ponds, lakes,
and streams. The costs range from $900- $1200.
Floating Dry Hydrant
The floating mooring buoy keeps the strainer at a certain depth that is gauged
by the plastic chain that attaches it to the strainer. This apparatus is used
in reservoirs, ponds, lakes, and streams, which have fluctuating water levels
and also is recommended on newly constructed reservoirs that have high siltation
possibilities. The ball is made out of polyurethane, which is normally 18” in
diameter and is non-destructive.
Over The Top
The conventional dry fire hydrant, which can be used in
the Eastern part of Texas, is well adapted to surface water such as ponds, lakes
and streams. The Trans-Pecos areas of Texas, which has very little surface water
areas and a rainfall that is less than 12” per year, is not suited to the conventional
hydrant. Therefore, the Post Oak RC&D asked Water-Way Company to help provide
a device that would allow volunteer fire departments to readily access water
from above ground storage tanks. These tanks are abundant on the large ranches
in the Western part of Texas. The Over-the-Top dry hydrant is made up of Schedule
40 PVC pipe with elbows, ball valve, and a strainer. A hand pump is used to
pull a prime on the 4” PVC pipe to make water quickly accessible in an emergency
situation.
Storage
Tanks
This particular hydrant is pressurized and is used in rechargeable tanks
such as shown in this picture. These tanks have an 8 to 10,000 gallon capacity.
They are abundant especially in the oil production area of Texas where drilling
companies use them to aid in the drilling operation.
Irrigation
Well
These hydrants are pressurized due to water being
pumped from underground wells and used to irrigate crops in the panhandle of
Texas. Landowners have allowed us to place a valve at the wellhead. The firefighters
can actually screw the hose directly into the valve and have pressured water
at their disposal to fill up tanker trucks to shuttle water to the fire scene.
These type of hydrants were adapted to the arid parts of the state such as the
panhandle because of the lack of surface water.
For costs of hydrant components,
adapter, or any other supplies used in the dry hydrant or other fire prevention
apparatuses, contact the Post Oak RC&D.
The U.S. Department
of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
and marital or family status.
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The U.S. Department
of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, and marital or family status.
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