Fire hydrants - what are the different types and markings?

Types of hydrants and their use

Hydrants can be classified according to their installation method and design. Some of them are used for quick intervention before the arrival of fire brigades, others can only be used by trained firefighters.

• Brass key for overhead hydrant
•  Key for overhead hydrant made of tempered cast iron

ABOVE GROUND hydrants

Above ground hydrants should be used in locations where the location of an underground hydrant is inappropriate, for example due to poor visibility in the terrain. Above-ground hydrants are most often in the form of a pipe with a stop valve and connection sockets. The neck of the above-ground hydrant is fitted with a hose coupling. This makes it possible to directly connect a fire hose for water extraction. The neck can only be opened with a key, which is available to fire brigades. Modern overhead hydrants are manufactured as frangible. This means that if the hydrant is hit by, for example, a vehicle, the overhead part of the hydrant will break, but the connection to the water main itself will not be damaged by the impact.

• Underground hydrant wrench
•  Hydrant attachment with ball cap
•  Hydrant spindle attachment

Underground hydrant

As the name suggests, underground hydrants are installed below ground level. If the hydrant needs to be accessed, the cover must be removed. These hydrants are operated with a hydrant wrench and a hydrant attachment must be used to draw water. Hydrant attachments are available with spindle valves or ball valves.

Underground hydrants are primarily used for firefighting units to respond to fires. The disadvantage of this type of hydrant is that access to the facility is prevented by parked cars, especially in urban areas.

Underground hydrants are marked on the walls of buildings or on columns, according to ČSN 75 5025, with orientation plates. These shall provide information on the exact location.

Wall hydrants

Wall-mounted hydrants are found mainly in residential and commercial buildings, most often in wall cabinets along with fire hoses. For wall-mounted hydrants, the hoses are flattenable or dimensionally stable. Flattenable hoses are only in older types of systems.

Modern systems are equipped with dimensionally stable hoses that are ready for immediate water supply. Depending on the requirements of the site, hoses in lengths of 20 and 30 metres are used.

Quick action against fire

Wall-mounted hydrant systems are essential equipment for fire protection in buildings. This type of wall-mounted hydrants is used for quick action against fire before the fire brigade arrives at the fire scene. Hydrant cabinets can be locked, but the key to the lock must be located in close proximity to the hydrant.

Attention to duties in companies and homes

Hydrant systems are a requirement in residential homes and businesses. It is important to procure the right type of hydrant, as well as to have it regularly checked by a specialist and to ensure that it is operational according to the relevant standards. Once every 5 years it is necessary to ensure that the fire hose is pressurised to the highest working pressure according to EN 671-1.

• READ MORE ABOUT COMPANIES' OBLIGATIONS

 

What the law and ordinances say

According to Act No.133/1985 Coll. on Fire Protection, legal entities and natural persons are obliged to procure and provide fire safety equipment in the necessary quantity and types with regard to the fire hazard of the activity and to maintain them in working order.

 

Decree 246/2001 Coll., on fire prevention, provides that the operational check of fire safety equipment is carried out to the extent specified by legal regulations, normative requirements and the accompanying documentation of the manufacturer at least once a year, unless the manufacturer, certified design documentation or implementation documentation or fire hazard assessment specifies shorter periods.