The primary means of ensuring hydrant reliability. Recommended by all hydrant manufacterers, and mandated by insurance companies, American Water Works Association, Uniform Fire Code, and National Fire Protection Association. In addition, annual maintenance of fire hydrants is required in the State of Indiana under 675 IAC 28-1-12 (scroll to page 11) in which NFPA 25 "Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection Systems" was adopted. Annual maintenance includes; cleaning, lubrication, checking caps/gaskets, pressure check, wire brushing, drainage check, and painting if needed. Flow testing and appropriate color coding per NFPA if required by local ordinance. Documentation of defects/deficiencies found during inspection as well as recommendations for mitigation.
****Update***** KMP now offers Latitude and Longitude GPS coordinate identification for all hydrants inspected to its clients. This service is offered at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE! Our customers may then use the coordinates in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) or other software such as Google Earth™
Fire Flow Testing provides valuable water supply information. Individual fire hydrant flow reading services are available as well as system flow capacity fire flow tests. KMP uses industry standard guidelines (NFPA and AWWA) and procedures to perform these tests. Pressure readings are taken including: static, residual, flow, and pressure drops. Data from each fire flow test is entered into a sophisticated, custom made spreadsheet that utilizes hydraulic equations and accounts for hydrant variables (ie. hydrant friction coefficients, etc.). This data provides the customer with an accurate appraisal of the maximum water flow available at the test location.
Flushing of hydrant laterals and water mains is a necessary task to aid in the removal of excessive iron buildup, as well as remove particulate matter within the system. Sediment and iron within water mains is not only undesirable for consumption, but also increases the probability of damage and degradation to integral system components: water main valves, hydrant main valves, and other internal mechanisms.
A complete main operating valve overhaul will be required when a hydrant is leaking from the main valve below ground. There are several causes for such necessary repairs such as: debris lodged in main valve, iron buildup/corrosion, faulty/missing O-rings, over-torque of the stem, as well as lack of annual hydrant maintenance and excercise. Hydrants with this condition are sometimes referred to as "leaky hydrants" in which water may be seen dripping from the hydrant orifice(s). During freezing weather conditions, this can result in the hydrant being completely unusable by the fire department in an emergency as it is frozen solid.
* Main Operating Valve Repair fees are offered at a discount to clients who utilize our Annual Maintenance Program.
Raising Hydrants to Level Grade (extension installation):
Fire hydrants must be a sufficient height level from the ground and unobstructed in order to be useable by fire department personnel during an emergency. National standards mandate that fire hydrants should be 18 inches from the ground level to the center of the caps as illustrated below.
This is required when a hydrant is "tight" or difficult to operate. This can be caused by a lack of preventative maintenance, bent operating nut, or simply due to age of fire hydrant. Operating Nut Rehabilitation may also be necessary when a leak is discovered from the bonnet assembly. Replacement of O-rings, gaskets, and other parts is usually necessary during these procedures.
From time to time, vehicles collide with fire hydrants causing physical damage to the barrel and/or operating stem mechanism. Most modern fire hydrants are designed with an integral "break-a-way" flange and "breaking stem coupling". These devices are designed to snap when the hydrant is collided allowing for ease of repairs usually achieved by way of a traffic/collision kit. Occasionally, additional repairs may be necessary when extensive damage is done to the hydrant operating stem and/or barrel.
Hydrant nozzles are the orifice(s) that fire department personnel connect their hose to the hydrant. Nozzle threads can become damaged or cross-threaded requiring repairs or replacement if necessary. In addition, nozzles can become corroded with excessive oxidation causing the caps to seize against the threads and prevent hydrant usage. Annual maintenance helps to prevent this by lubrication and excercise of the caps.
Fire hydrants utilize various thread types for the large diameter outlets. Fire departments nationwide use large diameter hose (5" or 6") allowing for the most gallons per minute (gpm) available from a fire hydrant. This large diameter hose uses a specific fitting, called a Storz thread. During a fire, personnel must attach a thread adapter from their hose to the hydrant in order for the Storz fitting to attach to the hydrant. Hydrant manufacterers, recognizing the valuable time lost during application of these devices, began making Storz fitting adapters for fire hydrants. These fittings replace the standard fitting on the hydrant allowing fire department personnel to quickly attach fire hose with a quarter-turn.
