Fire hydrant snorkel

TiltonBB · 12-29-2016, 07:48 PM

I understand that the actual water shutoff is located below ground level.

However, all it takes is a really slow leak to fill up the hydrant and as long as the caps are tight no one knows until it is needed. The additional height and distance from the ground will only make freezing more likely in the event of a slow leak or a very, very cold spell.

The water departments typically flush the hydrants once a year. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends that every hydrant be inspected at least once a year, and flow tested every 5 years.

Frozen hydrant? Been there, done that, and encountered a frozen hydrant when we really needed it. Generally the hydrants are located 500 feet apart so when that happens it is off to the next hydrant. When the fire is out there is a lot more hose to pick up and repack the truck.

ishoot308 · 12-29-2016, 08:30 PM

Those things would last about 10 minutes in Laconia! The crackheads would have them down and cut up for scrap in no time. Heck, their ripping out the copper pipes in people's houses when they are gone to work!

Unfortunate but true...

Dan

Lt.Dan · 01-09-2017, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I understand that the actual water shutoff is located below ground level.

However, all it takes is a really slow leak to fill up the hydrant and as long as the caps are tight no one knows until it is needed. The additional height and distance from the ground will only make freezing more likely in the event of a slow leak or a very, very cold spell.

The water departments typically flush the hydrants once a year. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends that every hydrant be inspected at least once a year, and flow tested every 5 years.

Frozen hydrant? Been there, done that, and encountered a frozen hydrant when we really needed it. Generally the hydrants are located 500 feet apart so when that happens it is off to the next hydrant. When the fire is out there is a lot more hose to pick up and repack the truck.

Back in the day, due to Silver thaw..Ice/frozen hydrant, if you wrap hydrant in a gunny sack, pour slash fuel on it and light sack with flair, magic!

Kamper · 02-07-2018, 11:19 AM

I saw this joke and thought about this old thread...
--------------

A nursery school teacher was delivering a minivan full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children fell to discussing the dog's duties.

"They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster.

"No," said another, "he's just for good luck."

A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrant."

camp guy · 02-07-2018, 01:14 PM

Good one, kamper, we can all use a bit humor in these times. Thanks!!

Descant · 02-07-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt.Dan

Back in the day, due to Silver thaw..Ice/frozen hydrant, if you wrap hydrant in a gunny sack, pour slash fuel on it and light sack with flair, magic!

We're losing our manners here. WELCOME to the Forum Lt.Dan. That's some great info.
"Back in the day" we had a "Thank you" button here, and I'm sure you would have received many thank yous. BTW, where do you get gunny sacks these days?

12-29-2016, 08:30 PM	#2
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,350 Thanks: 2,417 Thanked 5,339 Times in 2,088 Posts	Those things would last about 10 minutes in Laconia! The crackheads would have them down and cut up for scrap in no time. Heck, their ripping out the copper pipes in people's houses when they are gone to work! Unfortunate but true... Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

02-07-2018, 01:14 PM	#5
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,197 Thanks: 304 Thanked 530 Times in 297 Posts	Fire hydrant snorkel Good one, kamper, we can all use a bit humor in these times. Thanks!!

12-29-2016, 07:48 PM	#1
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,045 Thanks: 720 Thanked 2,222 Times in 948 Posts	I understand that the actual water shutoff is located below ground level. However, all it takes is a really slow leak to fill up the hydrant and as long as the caps are tight no one knows until it is needed. The additional height and distance from the ground will only make freezing more likely in the event of a slow leak or a very, very cold spell. The water departments typically flush the hydrants once a year. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends that every hydrant be inspected at least once a year, and flow tested every 5 years. Frozen hydrant? Been there, done that, and encountered a frozen hydrant when we really needed it. Generally the hydrants are located 500 feet apart so when that happens it is off to the next hydrant. When the fire is out there is a lot more hose to pick up and repack the truck.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
Jersey Ed (12-29-2016), Lt.Dan (01-09-2017)

02-07-2018, 11:19 AM	#4
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,309 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	I saw this joke and thought about this old thread... -------------- A nursery school teacher was delivering a minivan full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children fell to discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster. "No," said another, "he's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrant."