Hydrant Maintenance
Fire hydrants are one of the main sources of protection against a fire in a building. They are a necessary part of a public safety system and need to be kept in good working order. In order to keep a well-maintained fire hydrant, a company like Specialty Pipeline Services (SPS) can help you keep everything in check. SPS's experienced trained technicians will make sure that the hydrant is fully functional and will remain so in case of a fire emergency.
How Often Do Fire Hydrants Need Maintenance?
Fire hydrants need to be maintained at least once a year, preferably twice a year. Those who are in charge of public fire hydrants will need to adhere to local codes that will designate precisely how often maintenance needs to occur. Maintenance for a fire hydrant involves testing it to make sure that it works properly, checking the outer walls for any physical flaws, such as leaks or dents, and having each component checked individually. This service can be performed by professionals who will be able to quickly fix any problems. This will keep the fire hydrant in full working order and maintain the safety of the building. Again, generally, once a year, the hydrant will need to be flushed in order to ensure that there are no clogs.
Why should fire hydrants be flow tested?
Flow test data provides necessary field information so that water department planners and the fire department can accurately estimate the capabilities of water mains. Water main and hydrant flow capabilities impact decisions as to what fire protection and fire resistance features are required for new developments and where priorities should be placed with respect to upgrading older, smaller water mains. Another important reason for flow testing, flushing, and inspections is that having these functions performed on a regular basis can also help to lower your ISO rating. Testing and inspections will also help to lower your possible liability risk.
Regular hydrant flow testing is a significant component of a water supply program. Water systems are constantly being impacted by improvements, deterioration, changes in usage, and even water department maintenance activities which may affect hydrant maintenance. As a result it is important to annually test all fire hydrants to determine what their capabilities would be in an emergency.
THERE ARE 2 MAIN REASONS FOR FLOW TESTING HYDRANTS:
1. To determine how much water is available for fighting fires.2. To determine the general condition of the distribution system.
Keep in mind, that it is possible to have hydrants that can be more than 100 years old.
Just because a hydrant looks good doesn't mean that it will function good.