How Fire Hydrant Training Saves Lives
Although many urban residents consider the ubiquitous upright plugs standing on nearly every corner to be expensive parking hazards, hydrants do far more than provide a source of revenue for the city. When blazes break out due to accident, earthquake or storm, they can make the difference between life and death. Fire hydrant training keeps users up-to-date on new technological developments, maintenance, and safety procedures.
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 helped solve that problem, and soon appeared as regular features in city street plans and construction. Today, they exist in two primary forms. Wet barrel varieties are commonly installed in regions of the country that rarely experience freezing weather, and can remain water-filled. Dry barrel models can survive low temperatures because they can be shut down and drained.
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.
Included are the necessary techniques required for properly flushing and testing, as well as ensuring that the source of water contains enough volume and pressure to do the work required. If inspections have been truncated or performed inconsistently by the associated authorities, there may be dangerous shortfalls during an emergency. Hydrants with measurably low flow need to be updated as populations grow.
Several common shortcomings may emerge if there is no emphasis on upkeep and maintenance. A hydrant that has been left open without permission for use places adjacent structures in danger due to low pressure levels. Nozzles and caps must both fit tightly or risk reducing flow below minimum levels. Using one for purposes other than firefighting causes damage that is expensive and time-consuming to repair.
Cold weather causes some outlets to leak, and repeated freezing and thawing causes deterioration. Easy emergency access is possible only when nearby vegetation is regularly trimmed, and excess storm or street debris must be cleared to allow rapid connection and use. Some older designs may still have threading that will not fit some current equipment, and in some locations vandalism sidelines many installations.
Without adequate instruction residents or bystanders should not attempt to connect a hydrant. Some urban water sources are pressurized and capable of inflicting severe damage with the stream. In some locations they can be legally opened up as cooling centers for local people, but this should only be done officially to prevent service gaps. Private hydrant systems should be inspected and maintained by companies most familiar with local 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 helped solve that problem, and soon appeared as regular features in city street plans and construction. Today, they exist in two primary forms. Wet barrel varieties are commonly installed in regions of the country that rarely experience freezing weather, and can remain water-filled. Dry barrel models can survive low temperatures because they can be shut down and drained.
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.
Included are the necessary techniques required for properly flushing and testing, as well as ensuring that the source of water contains enough volume and pressure to do the work required. If inspections have been truncated or performed inconsistently by the associated authorities, there may be dangerous shortfalls during an emergency. Hydrants with measurably low flow need to be updated as populations grow.
Several common shortcomings may emerge if there is no emphasis on upkeep and maintenance. A hydrant that has been left open without permission for use places adjacent structures in danger due to low pressure levels. Nozzles and caps must both fit tightly or risk reducing flow below minimum levels. Using one for purposes other than firefighting causes damage that is expensive and time-consuming to repair.
Cold weather causes some outlets to leak, and repeated freezing and thawing causes deterioration. Easy emergency access is possible only when nearby vegetation is regularly trimmed, and excess storm or street debris must be cleared to allow rapid connection and use. Some older designs may still have threading that will not fit some current equipment, and in some locations vandalism sidelines many installations.
Without adequate instruction residents or bystanders should not attempt to connect a hydrant. Some urban water sources are pressurized and capable of inflicting severe damage with the stream. In some locations they can be legally opened up as cooling centers for local people, but this should only be done officially to prevent service gaps. Private hydrant systems should be inspected and maintained by companies most familiar with local requirements.
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