Fire hydrants are vital for firefighters to connect to a water supply in the case of an emergency. This important invention has probably saved thousands of lives and homes since they were first introduced. Now you see them all around the world, and they are an extremely important part of fire protection.
Fire Hydrant History
Before fire hydrants existed firefighters used buckets or brought horse-drawn fire-pumps. Eventually, after water main systems became commonplace, they transitioned into digging down into pipes for their water buckets or pumps. When they dug down into these pipes, they would need to be plugged afterward. American engineer Frederick Graff invented fire hydrant. He received the patent for his cast-iron fire hydrant in 1801.
How Do Fire Hydrants Work?
To use a fire hydrant, you have to attach a hose to the hydrant. Then you open a valve which releases the water flow. From here the hose can be attached to a fire truck that can then pump the water.
In the United States, you will find two common kinds of fire hydrants: wet barrel or dry barrel hydrants. Wet barrel hydrants are most common in places where the temperature is warm and freezing temperatures don’t happen very often. As the title “wet barrel” suggests, these kinds of hydrants have water filling the hydrant at all times
Dry barrel hydrants, on the other hand, are usually found in areas where freezing temperatures happen regularly. For this kind of hydrant the valve that opens the hydrant is located below the area’s frost line. These kinds of hydrants are used to prevent the hydrant from freezing
What Are Fire Hydrants Made of?
The barrel of hydrants is commonly made from cast iron or ductile iron. Sometimes for wet barrel hydrants, this part is made from bronze. Synthetic rubber is commonly used for the valve seals, gaskets and other parts. Fasteners for the hydrant are usually steel. There is often corrosion-resistant coating and other paints used for hydrants as well.