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In this part of the full Fire Fighting and Fire Protection Series, We are going to see about Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant Components.
Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant Components
Wet barrel fire hydrants are commonly seen in cities throughout North America and Europe. Most of these sprinkler heads have a two-pronged nozzle at the top which releases water in a circular pattern over its surface area. These types of nozzles are known as wet barrel fire hydrants because they are filled with water prior to release. In order to prevent damage to the system, the water level should never dip below the bottom edge of the nozzle.
Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant Parts
The Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant was invented by John D. Rockefeller back in 1872 to help fight fires in his oil refinery and chemical plants. Since then, the fire hydrants have been used not only for fighting fires in oil refineries and chemical plants, but also at homes, schools, universities, hotels, factories, and other locations where fires might occur. Today, wet barrel fire hydrants are commonly used throughout residential neighborhoods, commercial buildings, industrial complexes, and many other places around the world. The best thing about the wet barrel fire hyrdrant is that it works even in sub-freezing temperatures. These fire hydrants are very durable and can last for decades without any problems. Below are some important features of these fire hydrants.
Safety Features
Safety is the first priority when using fire hydrants. This includes making sure that you use the correct type of hose connection. All standard hose connections should be used. Other safety measures include being careful of the water pressure. If pressure is high, make sure that you are wearing thick gloves before turning on the valve. It is also recommended to wear rubber rain boots. After turning on the valve, wait until the stream of water stops. If pressure does not stop, turn off the valve and wait for it to cease completely before proceeding. Make sure that no children are nearby while you are using the hose. Children tend to play near fire hydrants and may get hurt if they accidentally step in the water. Another safety precaution is ensuring that any electrical components do not touch the water. If they do, they could get damaged. You should always check the manufacturer’s instructions and operating manual before using these kinds of devices.
Durability
Durability is another great feature of the wet barrel fire hydrant. There are various reasons why it is considered to be durable. One reason it is durable is because it uses stainless steel pipes. Stainless steel is a strong metal that resists corrosion. Stainless steel also lasts longer than non-stainless steel. If you look at the picture below, you can clearly see how durable this fire hydrant is. As you can see, the pipe still looks good after many years of usage. This is thanks to its sturdy construction.
Low Cost
Another benefit of using this kind of fire hydrant is that it is extremely affordable. In fact, you don’t need much money to purchase one. Many online stores sell them for less than $20. That’s pretty cheap!
Wet barrel fire hose ends
The wet barrel fire hose end is designed for outdoor use. It has a threaded connection on top where the nozzle attaches, and a threaded bottom for attaching connectors. Hose ends have nozzles built right into them. To attach the wet barrel fire hose, insert the thread of the wet barrel fire hose into the threads of the water hose connector, and tighten both connections down.
Wet barrel fire hose couplings
Couplings are universal fittings that connect two different pipes together. Most commonly, they are used for connecting fire hoses to sprinkler systems. Wet barrel fire hose comes with couplers already attached at the base of the hose. Two types of couplers exist, male and female. Male couplers have a larger ring inside them than female couplers. A male coupling connects to a female coupling by sliding it over the smaller inner diameter. The opposite is true for female couplers. When connecting two pieces of wet barrel fire hose, slide the coupling of the first piece onto the second piece until the small inner diameter meets the outer diameter. Then press the two together firmly until they lock.
Wet barrel fire hose adapters
Adapters are used to make connections between two different sized fire hoses. These allow you to easily switch out fire hoses without needing to buy whole new sets. There are three different sizes of adapters, including standard, low-profile, and high-profile. Standard adapters fit between any two fire hoses, including those of the same size. Low-profile adapters fit only between fire hoses of the same size, while high-profile adapters fit between fire hoses of different sizes.
Wet barrel fire hose risers
Risers are short sections of hose that add height to fire hoses. They help keep fire hydrants free of debris, and prevent damage to the fire hydrant's brass fitting. Riserless fire hydrants are cheaper, but may become damaged if exposed to heavy debris or corrosion. Adding riser tubes keeps your fire hydrant safe, clean, and functional. You need to purchase these separately.
Wet barrel fire hose connectors
Connectors are used to connect wet barrel fire hose to other types of fire hoses. Connectors are sold separately. Use them with wet barrel fire hose ends or couplings.
Wet barrel fire hose clamps
Fire hose clamps are used to secure fire hoses to pipe. Clamp type fire hose clamps consist of aluminum bands around the circumference of the pipe. They squeeze the metal bands together, preventing fluid from escaping. Pipe clamp type fire hose clamps fit around either circular or square shaped pipes.
Wet barrel fire hose valves
Valves are used to control flow rate of liquids. Valves are typically round, disk-shaped objects that open and close as needed. Water valves are used to regulate the flow of water from a source. Dry fire hose valves work similarly, except that they don't release water. Many valves are spring loaded, meaning once closed, they remain shut until opened again. Wet barrel fire hose valve features a threaded collar on top that screws into the throat of the valve. On some valves, there is a flange that sits over the top of the valve hole. Simply put, the flange prevents water from entering the pipe.
Wet barrel fire hydrants have been around since the 19th century and were originally built to control fires in brick buildings (such as shops) using pressurized water stored in metal barrels mounted on poles driven into concrete footings. The barrels would be filled with water and pressure applied to the system to force the water out through nozzles attached to overhead pipes.
Over time, these early wet barrel systems became obsolete in larger cities where street sprinkler systems were installed, replacing them with underground pipe. Most municipal fire departments had old dry barrel fire hydrants installed at the same time, including those in commercial districts. These systems were often upgraded to use compressed air instead of pressurized air tanks. Eventually, after the installation of sprinklers, many of the remaining wet barrel systems were converted to dry barrel by removing the storage tank and connecting the nozzle directly to the building's supply plumbing.
Modern wet barrel fire hydrants are still manufactured today. In addition, they may be retrofitted to existing dry barrel hydrants. Manufacturers typically offer two types of units: either a standard model unit (where the barrel is located above-ground), or a low profile unit (located below-ground). Both models provide good coverage over a large area.
Typical features of a modern wet barrel fire hydrant include:
A. A sealed 2"-diameter cast iron barrel placed about 5' high on a pole.
B. A stainless steel body containing a rubber diaphragm that seals the barrel opening.
C. A brass valve stem that fits inside the barrel and is secured by a nut.
D. A brass check valve fitted into the barrel fitting to prevent backflow of water.
E. An aluminum collar that bolts onto the barrel top.
F. An adjustable nozzle assembly is screwed into place.
G. A flexible hose that runs from the nozzle to a standpipe.
H. A handwheel connected to the valve stem to turn the barrel to open and close.
I. A gasket between the bottom of the valve stem and the standpipe to prevent leakage.
J. An exterior cover with a handhold and step to assist operators in cleaning the outside of the barrel.
1. Pipe Cylinder (PVC)
The pipe cylinder is a component that makes up the entire barrel fire hydrant system. It is where the water enters the barrel and then travels through the hose. The PVC pipe is made up of two pieces, a male half and a female half. The female half goes inside the male half to attach the two together. There are many different sizes of pipes that go inside the cylinders. When choosing a pipe size, consider how much water pressure and volume you need. If you want to use a smaller pipe, make sure to increase the flow capacity of the pump. One way to do this is by using a larger diameter PVC pipe. Another way to increase flow capacity is by increasing the length of the pipe. However, if you choose a longer pipe, make sure to have a valve on both ends.
2. Male Valve (MV):
The male valve is another component to the barrel fire hydrant system that connects the pump to the pipe. A male valve is attached to the pipe and attaches to a female valve at the end of the pump. To install the male valve onto the pipe, first start by sliding the valve off of its container. Then, place the male valve over the tip of the pipe. Once the male valve is completely placed on top of the pipe, tighten down the valve nut until it’s tight.
3. Female Valve (FV):
A female valve attaches to the pump and is intended to connect to the male valve that was installed on the pipe. To install the female valve, begin by removing the cap from the end of the pump and unscrewing the female connector. Slide the female valve into the female connector and screw down the female connector until it's secure.
4. Hose Connector (HC):
The hose connector is a component that takes care of keeping the water flowing from the pump to the pipe and back out again. When installing the hose connector, insert the male piece into the female piece. Tighten down the connection until the male piece fits securely inside the female piece.
5. P-trap Adapter:
The p-trap adapter is a component that keeps any water inside the hose. Once the piping system is complete, the last thing to do is add a p-trap adapter to keep any standing water from entering the hose. An example of a p-trap would be the rubber adapter on the bottom of the hose. Place this under the hose and tighten down the clamp until it's secured.
The Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant components are:-Valve Body-Dome-Hose Connector-Outlet Pipe
These were the first type of fire hydrant used. Wet barrels worked well until they became outdated. A wet barrel was composed of a steel drum that held water. When the pressure inside the barrel was high enough, it would burst open, sending water out onto the lawn below. There were several problems with these devices: the water did not flow at a constant rate, and the device could get clogged easily. As a result, dry barrel hydrants were created. Dry barrel fire hydrants work the same way as a wet barrel hydrant. However, instead of using a steel drum, a rubber hose is attached to a valve that opens and closes based on pressure.
One of the main advantages to using a wet barrel compared to a dry barrel hydrant is that the amount of water delivered is always consistent. Water pressure fluctuates throughout a day, meaning that if a dry barrel hydrant uses a spring-loaded trigger mechanism, the amount of water sent out will vary depending on how long the trigger is pressed down. In contrast, a wet barrel delivers a steady stream, regardless of how hard the user presses the trigger.
The first fire hydrants were only designed to deliver approximately 2 gallons per minute (gpm). To increase their capacity, manufacturers began adding copper coils to the hydrant bodies. Copper coils allow for greater amounts of water to be delivered, but often become clogged. Over time, copper coils tend to wear out, causing them to lose efficiency. Manufacturers eventually replaced the copper coil with brass coils, which increased the longevity of the hydrant. Brass coils do not wear out nearly as fast as copper coils, but over time, they still need to be cleaned regularly.
A problem with water pressure in a home is that it varies drastically between the coldest winter months and the hottest summer months. If a homeowner does not plan ahead and invest in a reliable backup system, then water pressure may drop to zero during the middle of the summer, leaving him or her without running water. One solution to this problem is to have an additional storage tank in the basement, which is then pumped directly to the main line. Another solution is to install a submersible pump, which pumps water from a lower level of the house to a higher elevation. An example of a submersible pump is one that comes in a garden pond kit.
There are many different types of valves available for use with fire hydrants. Most commonly, there are two types, pressure relief valves and shut off valves. Pressure relief valves are set up to release water in the event of a loss of pressure. Shut off valves prevent water from flowing if the pressure reaches a certain point. The most popular type of shut off valve is the float operated valve. With a float operated valve, a small float moves with the rise and fall of water pressure. If the pressure goes above a certain limit, the float moves upward, opening the valve and stopping the flow of water.
Fire departments prefer to use automatic shut off valves to control the flow of water from a hydrant. Automatic shut off valves are much safer than manual ones. Manually operated valves can be turned off by accident when someone trips or slips, making the person responsible for paying for the damage. With an automatic shut off valve, there is no chance of human error, as it is impossible to turn the valve off accidentally. There are three basic designs for automatic shut off valves. The first design uses a mechanical float connected to a lever arm that moves downward when the water pressure rises. At the bottom of the lever arm is a contact plate. When the weight of the water drops below a specific point, the contact plate touches a switch that shuts off the flow of water. The second design is similar to the first, except that the switch is activated mechanically rather than electrically. The third design uses an electronic sensor that detects the change in water pressure and activates the flow of water accordingly.
Water pressure in a home may vary greatly between the coldest winter days and the hottest summer months, so homeowners should consider installing a backup system for times of low water pressure. Having a backup system means that even if some parts of the house experience a lack of water, others will continue to receive water. Many people use a secondary supply of water stored in a tank in the attic. Others choose to purchase a submersible pump that pumps water from a lower location to a higher elevation. Either option is adequate, but having a primary source of water, as well as a reserve, ensures that you will never run out of water.
Access all the previous parts of this full fire fighting series by clicking the links provided below:
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