Hydrants

Question 1

What are the 3 types of mains?

Answer 1

1. Trunk Mains - supply water from large bodies of water or the original water source, such as dams, lakes and town reservoirs - Up to 3m
2. Distribution/ Secondary Mains - draws water from larger bodies of water to subdivided or residential areas - up to 450mm in diameter
3. Service Mains - Feed of distribution mains to supply individual streets and structures - 75 - 150mm in diameter

Question 2

What are the two factors that must be considered when using mains water?

Answer 2

Pressure & Flow

Question 3

What are the two uses of hydrants?

Answer 3

1. To supply water to an appliance
2. To supply water to a firefighting line

Question 4

What are the 4 main types of above ground hydrants?

Answer 4

1. ‘L’ Type
2. Pillar
3. Millcock
4. Rural Standpipe

Question 5

What are the three primary water supplies?

Answer 5

1. Fire Appliance/Pump
2. Reticulated Water Supply
3. Static Water Supply

Question 6

What are the hydrant intervals?

Answer 6

• Business and industrial districts 50 to 100m
• Residential/Suburban 150 to 200m
• Rural 200m

Question 7

What are the 2 types of hydrant indicators?

Answer 7

1. Metal - nailed to poles
2. Vinyl - glued to poles/concrete walls

Question 8

Outline the twelve (12) step process for shipping a standpipe to a ground ball hydrant

Answer 8

1. Wear PPE/PPC
2. Lift the cover plate and check for any dangers
3. Check hydrant for obstructions
4. Use cleaning tool to remove any obstructions
5. Put one hand on the spindle handle and one hand on the bottom boss
6. Place the standpipe over one knee while kneeling on the other and check washers
7. Place standpipe in the ground ball
8. Turn clockwise to engage wing nuts
9. Lift standpipe up to make sure it’s locked in place
10. Use one hand to hold the standpipe spindle and rotate shipping handle clockwise until engaged
11. Kneel and harden joint with both hands
12. Flush Hydrant, turn off valve and connect the hose

Question 9

What is the procedure for testing a hydrant?

Answer 9

• Ensure the hydrant marking is readily visible
• With below ground hydrants, ensure the lid of the hydrant box is accessible
• Check the hydrant box and clear debris if necessary
• Slowly open and flush hydrant. On completion, slowly close hydrant

Question 10

List every component of a Div A standpipe. (14 parts in total)

Answer 10

• Operating handle
• Spindle
• Head piece
• 65mm Storz coupling
• 65mm Storz blank cap
• Top boss
• Shipping handles
• 65mm diameter alloy barrel
• Male thread
• Bottom boss
• Wing nuts
• Collar
• Washer
• Cup valve

Question 11

List every component of a Div B standpipe (13 parts in total)

Answer 11

• Spindle handle
• Stuffing box
• Head
• Blank Cap
• Collar
• Shipping handles
• Barrel
• Spindle
• Spindle Thread
• Lugs
• Foot
• Bell
• Washer

Question 12

Explain why black top ‘L’ type hydrants should not be used for firefighting.

Answer 12

They may be very high pressure or dry.