| Step |
Description |
Expected Duration |
| 1 |
The following procedures are to be updated based on the local fire protection inspection requirements. |
1.0 minute |
| 2 |
Warning: Never use antifreeze to prevent a hydrant from freezing or to coat the thread of the caps! Under certain conditions antifreeze may be able to enter the water distribution system and cause contamination of the water. Any hydrant found to contain antifreeze must be isolated and steam cleaned to remove all traces of the antifreeze. |
1.0 minute |
| 3 |
In freezing climates, AWWA fire hydrant standards committee recommends that hydrants be inspected in the fall, in the spring and after each use. Lack of experience with the brands being inspected and time between inspections increase the length of time necessary to inspect a fire hydrant. To control these factors, the County specifies the types of hydrants that may be installed and endeavors to inspect public hydrants on an annual schedule. Routine inspection of common fire hydrants by experienced operators should take approximately 20 minutes per hydrant. |
15.0 minute |
| 4 |
Notify the Water and Sewerage Division of the area(s) you will be in prior to beginning. |
15.0 minute |
| 5 |
Check the appearance of the hydrant.
a. Remove obstructions around it. Hydrants are required to have a minimum of 3 feet of
clearance in all directions.
b. If paint is needed, either paint the hydrant or schedule it for painting.
c. Check to see whether the hydrant needs to be raised or lowered (pumper nozzle cap
should be no less than 18” and no more than 24” from grade) because of a change in the
ground-surface grade. If adjustments are needed, schedule work. |
15.0 minute |
| 6 |
On traffic model hydrants, check the breakaway device for damage. |
1.0 minute |
| 7 |
Remove one outlet nozzle cap and use a listening device to check main valve for leakage |
15.0 minute |
| 8 |
Check for the presence of water or ice in the hydrant barrel, by use of a plumb bob or other suitable means |
15.0 minute |
| 9 |
Attach a section of hose or other deflector to protect the street, traffic, and private property from water expelled at high velocity. |
5.0 minute |
| 10 |
Open the hydrant SLOWLY approximately 3 to 5 turns allowing time for air to escape from the hydrant barrel. Then SLOWLY open the hydrant to the full open position to check operation and to flush any foreign material from the interior and the water main. a. When the hydrant is flowing full, a flow test can be conducted. Some styles of deflectors offer an opening designed specifically to allow a Pitot Tube measurement to be taken. |
15.0 minute |
| 11 |
After approximately 3 to 5 minutes check the water condition using a solid white cup. a. Look for discoloration and debris. b. Continue to flush the hydrant until the water is clear.c. If needed, the flow may be reduced by closing down the hydrant SLOWLY |
15.0 minute |
| 12 |
Close the hydrant. Remove the deflector and check the operation of the drain valve by placing the palm of one hand over the outlet nozzle. Drainage should be sufficiently rapid to create noticeable suction. For non-draining hydrants, pump the water from the barrel. a. Be aware that some hydrants may not seem to slow down when you turn them. This usually means the hydrant may slam (it will have some slop in the stem and may make a thump sound when closing). This causes water hammer and could cause major damage to the water distribution system. This is why it is imperative that hydrants are closed VERY SLOWLY |
15.0 minute |
| 13 |
Using a listening device, check the main valve for leakage. |
5.0 minute |
| 14 |
Replace the outlet nozzle cap. Leave it loose enough to allow air to escape |
5.0 minute |
| 15 |
Open the hydrant only a few turns. Allow air to vent from the outlet nozzle cap |
5.0 minute |
| 16 |
Tighten the outlet nozzle cap. |
5.0 minute |
| 17 |
Open the hydrant fully. Check for ease of operation. Certain water conditions may cause hard water buildup on the stem threads of toggle and slide-gate hydrants and on the threads of wet-top hydrants. Opening and closing the hydrant repeatedly usually removes this buildup. If the hydrant has no threads in water, but operates with difficulty, check the lubrication before proceeding with the inspection. Other problems that may make operation difficult are stuck packing and bent stems. |
15.0 minute |
| 18 |
With the hydrant fully open, check for leakage at flanges, around outlet nozzles, at packing or seals, and around the operating stem. Repair as needed. |
15.0 minute |
| 19 |
Partially close the hydrant so the drains open and water flows through under pressure for about 10 seconds, flushing the drain outlets. |
15.0 minute |
| 20 |
Close the hydrant completely. Back off the operating nut enough to take pressure of the thrust bearing and packing (about ¼ turn). |
15.0 minute |
| 21 |
Remove all outlet-nozzle caps, clean the threads, check the condition of the gaskets, and lubricate the threads with food grade grease. Check the ease of operation of the cap. |
15.0 minute |
| 22 |
Check outlet-nozzle-cap chains or cables for free action on each cap. If the chains or cables bind, open the loop around the cap until they move freely. This will keep the chains or cables from kinking when the cap is removed during an emergency |
15.0 minute |
| 23 |
Replace the caps. Tighten them, and then back off slightly so they will not be excessively tight. Leave them tight enough to prevent their removal by hand. |
15.0 minute |
| 24 |
Check the lubrication of operating-nut threads. Lubricate per the manufacturer’s recommendations |
15.0 minute |
| 25 |
Locate and exercise the auxiliary valve. Leave it in the open position. |
15.0 minute |
| 26 |
Repair any damage from running water |
15.0 minute |
| 27 |
If the hydrant is inoperable, tag it with a clearly visible marker and notify the office. This may save fire fighters valuable time in an emergency. Schedule the hydrant for repair. |
5.0 minute |
| 28 |
Notify the Water and Sewerage Division when you are done for the day. |
15.0 minute |