![]() The most common fire hydrant color is yellow. The chart below will describe the technical specifications of a fire hydrant from the inside and out. However, the figures above only describe the sections of a fire hydrant that we can see. They will both stand roughly 4 to 5-1/4 feet above the surface of the ground and measure roughly 19 inches in diameter around the barrel. In terms of appearance and dimensions, there is virtually no difference between the wet barrel and dry barrel fire hydrants. What Are the Dimensions of a Fire Hydrant? Pumper Nozzle-The exterior section of a fire hydrant where a hose is connected to redirect water. Operating Stem-The pipeline that directs water from the water supply line, when opened, to the pumper nozzle. When pressure is alleviated, the drain holes will automatically open, letting water flow into the surrounding soil. Pressurized water from the supply line will cause the drain hole to seal. It houses all of the internal components, including the main valve and the operating stem.ĭrain Hole-The underground port that allows water inside the barrel to drain. Main Valve-The underground valve that opens and shut to allow water from the supply line into the barrel.īarrel-The standpipe section is made of cast iron, brass, or another durable metal. Stem/Operating Nut-The main port that is used to open and shut the main valve and bring up through the operating stem and into the barrel. Parts of a Fire Hydrantīefore talking about the dimensions of a fire hydrant, it’s important that we first understand what a fire hydrant consists of.īonnet-The domed top of a fire hydrant where the stem or operating nut is located. If the water were to stay inside the cast-iron or brass barrel, it would not only prevent firefighters from fighting fires, but the water would also expand and cause damage to the operating stem. This sort of system is ideal in places where temperatures drop to below freezing. It’s only when a firefighter opens up the underground water supply line that water will begin pouring out of the fire hydrant. Unlike wet barrel fire hydrants, dry barrels are not filled with pressurized water 24/7. When the main valve is disengaged via the top-facing stem nut, water from the supply line, which is located underground and below the frost line, comes gushing upward and through the operating stem.Įssentially, a dry barrel remains dry whenever it’s not used. Water is flushed out of the fire hydrant via a drain valve whenever the main valve is shut. The barrel of a dry barrel fire hydrant remains dry when it’s not in use. Paul, Minnesota, where temperatures can drop to 12☏ in the winter, then the water inside the fire hydrant would freeze, rendering the hydrant system unusable for months at a time. If this type of fire hydrant was found in a place like, say, St. This type of fire hydrant, which can remain usable for upwards of a century with proper maintenance, is more common in places where freezing isn’t a possible risk. ![]() The moment a firefighter or maintenance worker opens the valve to alleviate built-up pressure, water from the supply line will immediately come out at a rate of at least 500 gallons per minute. Water from underwater supply lines is continually gushing upward through the fire hydrant, but the valves, which remain closed when the fire hydrant is unused, prevent the water from seeping out. Wet BarrelĪ wet barrel fire hydrant is the more common of the two main types. There are two main types of fire hydrants in this case: wet barrel and dry barrel. Types of Fire Hydrantsįire hydrants are categorized by the availability of water inside the barrel-i.e., the shaft-like section that juts out of the ground. ![]() ![]() In this guide, I’ll explain the various types of fire hydrants, their dimensions, and how a fire hydrant works. But have you ever wondered how large a fire hydrant is?Ī typical wet barrel fire hydrant stands between 4 and 5-1/4 feet tall, with the barrel measuring about 19 inches in diameter. Instead, firefighters connect their hoses to fire hydrants to put the flames out in hardly any time at all. When a building is ablaze, we don’t have to hand over buckets of water to the next person before pouring it on the flames. ![]()
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