Hydrants

In a distribution system, fire hydrants and flushing or blow-off hydrants are the devices that access water directly from a Main.

Fire hydrants have the following characteristics:

• They are equipped with fire hose connections
• They are generally larger than flushing hydrants to allow for higher flow rates
• They are located throughout the system so that they are readily accessible in the event of a fire

Flushing or blow-off hydrants have the following characteristics:

• They are equipped with smaller nozzles unsuitable for fire hose connection
• They are generally smaller than fire protection hydrants
• They are strategically located throughout the system in low use areas
• They are installed on dead end lines