While urban dwellers may view the plugs installed on nearly every sidewalk as permanent occupiers of scarce parking spaces, hydrants provide far more than a source of ticket revenue for cities. When disaster or accident results in a conflagration, they often make the difference between destruction and survival. Fire hydrant training helps keep users current on new technology, maintenance practices, and safety requirements.
Compared to modern water supplies, municipal systems two centuries ago provided rudimentary delivery. When a fire broke out, local residents did their best to fight it using horse-drawn engines and bucket brigades, both ineffective in large blazes. As towns grew and established infrastructure, permanent fire departments emerged that were able to get to a hot spot quickly, but they still required enough water pressure to complete the job.
Hydrants soon began to appear as a regular part of city planning, and exist today in different configurations. There are two main types, commonly called wet barrel and dry barrel. The wet barrel variety is useful in regions that do not experience freezing weather, because they are always filled with water. Dry barrel outlets can be turned off after use and then drained to prevent freezing and pipe damage.
Many communities today support volunteer firefighters who are given the same instructions for hydrant upkeep and use that are provided to full-time departments. Videos and other instruction material build a level of understanding of how to keep the vital water flowing during an emergency. This information also includes specific instructions detailing how to connect hoses safely and quickly.
Also included are the latest techniques demonstrating how to flush and test an outlet, as well as ways to guarantee that the flow will have enough pressure and volume to complete the job. Inspections that are delayed due to common budget considerations can result in problems that only become visible during emergencies. As populations increase, hydrants with chronically low flow must be updated.
Without training specifically emphasizing maintenance and other forms of upkeep, several common issues emerge. Hydrants opened without permission place nearby structures in jeopardy if water pressure falls below critical levels. Attached caps and nozzles become difficult or impossible to use when damaged, and using these outlets for reasons other than firefighting can also result in damage.
During the coldest months leaking outlets repeatedly freeze and thaw, gradually causing deterioration. To ensure easy access, nearby overgrowth should be trimmed back, and street debris from storms or other sources must be cleaned up to allow rapid setup during a fire. Some older equipment still in place may have threading that does not readily fit modern equipment, and random vandalism is responsible putting many out of commission.
Local residents should avoid making hydrant connections without previous instruction. Urban water sources may be under immense pressure capable of causing severe injury if proper connection procedures are not followed. Some can be opened for recreation during summer hot spells, but most should not be used without permission. In areas where private hydrants are commonly allowed, training and inspection is often handled by private companies familiar with local regulations.
Compared to modern water supplies, municipal systems two centuries ago provided rudimentary delivery. When a fire broke out, local residents did their best to fight it using horse-drawn engines and bucket brigades, both ineffective in large blazes. As towns grew and established infrastructure, permanent fire departments emerged that were able to get to a hot spot quickly, but they still required enough water pressure to complete the job.
Hydrants soon began to appear as a regular part of city planning, and exist today in different configurations. There are two main types, commonly called wet barrel and dry barrel. The wet barrel variety is useful in regions that do not experience freezing weather, because they are always filled with water. Dry barrel outlets can be turned off after use and then drained to prevent freezing and pipe damage.
Many communities today support volunteer firefighters who are given the same instructions for hydrant upkeep and use that are provided to full-time departments. Videos and other instruction material build a level of understanding of how to keep the vital water flowing during an emergency. This information also includes specific instructions detailing how to connect hoses safely and quickly.
Also included are the latest techniques demonstrating how to flush and test an outlet, as well as ways to guarantee that the flow will have enough pressure and volume to complete the job. Inspections that are delayed due to common budget considerations can result in problems that only become visible during emergencies. As populations increase, hydrants with chronically low flow must be updated.
Without training specifically emphasizing maintenance and other forms of upkeep, several common issues emerge. Hydrants opened without permission place nearby structures in jeopardy if water pressure falls below critical levels. Attached caps and nozzles become difficult or impossible to use when damaged, and using these outlets for reasons other than firefighting can also result in damage.
During the coldest months leaking outlets repeatedly freeze and thaw, gradually causing deterioration. To ensure easy access, nearby overgrowth should be trimmed back, and street debris from storms or other sources must be cleaned up to allow rapid setup during a fire. Some older equipment still in place may have threading that does not readily fit modern equipment, and random vandalism is responsible putting many out of commission.
Local residents should avoid making hydrant connections without previous instruction. Urban water sources may be under immense pressure capable of causing severe injury if proper connection procedures are not followed. Some can be opened for recreation during summer hot spells, but most should not be used without permission. In areas where private hydrants are commonly allowed, training and inspection is often handled by private companies familiar with local regulations.
No comments:
Post a Comment