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.
When the United States was very young, most municipal water systems did not provide universal service. When a blaze did break out, nearby residents fought the flames using bucket brigades, and horse-drawn engines as they developed over time. As local firefighting methods improved, departments were usually able to reach the scene rapidly, but still often lacked enough water pressure to adequately smother the flames.
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.
Some neglected outlets leak during cold months, causing freezing and thawing that gradually decreases function. Nearby vegetation needs to be trimmed to allow easy access, and debris needs to be regularly cleaned away to allow rapid connection and immediate use. Older installations may still contain threads that do not readily fit modern hoses, and random vandalism in urban neighborhoods is responsible for putting many installations out of service.
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.
When the United States was very young, most municipal water systems did not provide universal service. When a blaze did break out, nearby residents fought the flames using bucket brigades, and horse-drawn engines as they developed over time. As local firefighting methods improved, departments were usually able to reach the scene rapidly, but still often lacked enough water pressure to adequately smother the flames.
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.
Some neglected outlets leak during cold months, causing freezing and thawing that gradually decreases function. Nearby vegetation needs to be trimmed to allow easy access, and debris needs to be regularly cleaned away to allow rapid connection and immediate use. Older installations may still contain threads that do not readily fit modern hoses, and random vandalism in urban neighborhoods is responsible for putting many installations out of service.
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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