Dry fire Hydrants
The Ashtabula Soil and Water Conservation District
in partnership with the Ashtabula Co. Chief's and Firefighter's
Associations promote the establishment of Dry Fire Hydrants
within the county. Our staff is available to provide a site
visit to determine the technical feasibility of your site if you are
considering installation of a dry hydrant. It is highly
recommended to coordinate the site visit with a representative of
your local fire department for their ability to access the site.
Our office has dry hydrant kits available.
Dry Hydrant Advantages
Knowing about a quantity of available water in area
streams, ponds and
cisterns gives an advantage to a fire
department only if the water is
readily accessible. Soft or obstructed
ground certainly limits access. Or,
the needed water may be located so far
away from where it is needed that
a fire department's ability to do its job
of fire control is impaired.
Mobile water supply vehicles can move water from distant sources,
but the critical factor is whether or not the fire department can
maintain an uninterrupted supply of a predictable rate of water at
the fire scene.
Installation of dry hydrants into numerous nearby and developed
water supplies eliminates the inefficiency and complexity of
long-distance water shuttle operations. This arrangement also allows
access to water sources from a roadway instead of having to work on
soft ground immediately adjacent to the pond or stream.
Dry Fire Hydrant Construction Tips
Schedule 40 PVC plastic pipe is frequently used because of its low
cost, accessibility and low friction loss. Construction details at
specific sites may vary in many ways according to local preferences
and conditions.
In any area without water mains and domestic fire hydrants, the dry
hydrant concept can provide a simple, cost-effective solution to the
need for access to water sources without delay. A dry hydrant
consists of an arrangement of piping with one end in the water and
the other end extending to dry land and available for connection to
a pumper. Dry hydrants have the following features:
Non-pressurized pipe system
Use relatively inexpensive piping
materials and other supplies. Are
permanently installed in existing lakes,
ponds, streams and cisterns. Provide a
means of access whenever needed,
regardless of the weather. Allows years
of simple operation with a minimum of
maintenance. The time savings are
many. Multiple lengths of hard suction
hose extending to the water are not
needed; usually one section to the dry
hydrant is enough. The strainer is also
permanently attached, saving more
time. Fewer people are needed to make
a hookup compared to make a
conventional direct drafting hookup.
When a strategically placed dry hydrant with all-weather road access
allows more water to be distributed in less time, and the water can
be applied effectively on the fire, fire fighter safety is improved.
Savings can be financial, as well. For example, homeowners may be
eligible for a reduction in their insurance premium. Fire
departments also save money by reducing fuel and equipment costs
through shorter transportation distances and lower operational
demands. Communities can preserve more of their treated water
supplies , since dry hydrants use untreated water.