Private hydrant service
Fire hydrants spend most of their time unused and ignored, yet they are called upon in a moment’s notice to provide water flow for the protection of a business or home. Fire hydrants are classified as either public or private hydrants. Public hydrants are found on public property and are tested and maintained by either the City or County fire department. Private hydrants are located on private property. Their testing and maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. These hydrants are an indispensable facet of the overall fire protection features of a building. They are required for the fire protection of a building, but they are useless unless regularly maintained, and clearly marked so that firefighters can count on the hydrant to be operational, should the need arise.
Characteristics of Hydrants
Most if not all hydrants in south Mississippi are dry barrel hydrants. Dry barrel hydrants have the main valve located below ground and the section that extends above ground is void of water except during operation. These hydrants are equipped with drain valves to allow the portion of the hydrant above the main valve to automatically drain.
Hydrant Repairs and Maintenance
Property owners are solely responsible for testing, maintenance and marking of privately-owned hydrants and assumes all liability for the proper operation, maintenance, and marking of their hydrants. Maintenance, testing and inspection of private hydrants should only be performed by properly trained individuals.
Routine Inspection
NFPA 25 states that hydrants should be inspected annually and after each use. Routine inspection of common fire hydrants by experienced operators should take approximately thirty (30) minutes per hydrant.
THERE ARE 5 MAIN REASONS TO INSPECT A FIRE HYDRANT
1. TO VERIFY THE SAFETY OF THE HYDRANT
We begin by performing a check to ensure safe operation of the fire hydrant while inspecting the orientation of the hydrant. Safety issues prevent the fire hydrant from pressurizing and/or proper operation. Common safety issues include: hydrants with severe leaks as well as hydrants with missing parts or parts in need of repair/replacement, severely rusted flange bolts, broken stem and flange couplings from vehicle impacts.
2. TO ASSURE FIRE FIGHTING CAPABILITY
We perform a pressure and flow test of each fire hydrant in your system. Upon flow testing each fire hydrant we determine issues which may interfere with the firefighting capabilities. Such issues include: seized operating nuts, seized hose and pumper caps, low flow due to partially closed valves, hydrants in severe need of grease and/or oil and fire hydrant accessibility.
3. TO TEST THE DISTRIBUTION OF A SYSTEM
All fire hydrants must be flow tested. This will provide pressures and flow data in all areas of your system. Areas with significantly lower flow may hint at partially closed valves. The only way to verify that your system is functioning at its full potential is to flow test each fire hydrant!
4. FLUSHING THE MAINS
Removes sediment, rust, and debris from your lines while restoring disinfectant residuals.
5. AVOID LIABILITY ISSUES
Annually inspecting each fire hydrant in your system can help avoid liability issues. If a hydrant is in severe need of repairs or replacement, you can be notified immediately in order to prevent liability issues which may happen when fire hydrants are ignored or looked over. Avoid liability by putting forth the effort to ensure the safety of your residents and their property.