Flowing a dry barrel hydrant requires the hydrant to be opened FULLY and not just 8-10 turns. A partially opened hydrant can cause water to be forced out through the underground drain system and cause erosion around the base of the hydrant.
After watching the Mueller maintenance videos, I learned that the lubrication well forces oil through the threads when it's fully opened and those screw threads don't get lubed if it's partially opened. Also, the drain blocking mechanism is designed to flush the below grade drains when it's first opened, block them when it's fully opened, then allow the barrel to drain when the valve is fully closed. And it's essential to make sure you feel suction on the nozzles as it drains and don't replace the caps until it's fully drained or it will hold water and either fail to open in cold weather or bust the barrel with freeze thaw. That makes me wonder how many hydrants have their oil well filled. But at least someone is out in their district checking them. That color scheme (NFPA 291) would suggest that hydrant provides less than 500gpm flowing with a 20psi residual but it sure looks like a hell of a lot more than that.
There are some hydrants that have fine thread upper stems and/or spring loaded and no water will run out until about 6 or 7 turns so don't go by the 3 turn rule;)
Flowing a dry barrel hydrant requires the hydrant to be opened FULLY and not just 8-10 turns. A partially opened hydrant can cause water to be forced out through the underground drain system and cause erosion around the base of the hydrant.
Came here to complain about this as well NEVER partally open a valve. All the way open all the way close nothing inbetween
After watching the Mueller maintenance videos, I learned that the lubrication well forces oil through the threads when it's fully opened and those screw threads don't get lubed if it's partially opened. Also, the drain blocking mechanism is designed to flush the below grade drains when it's first opened, block them when it's fully opened, then allow the barrel to drain when the valve is fully closed. And it's essential to make sure you feel suction on the nozzles as it drains and don't replace the caps until it's fully drained or it will hold water and either fail to open in cold weather or bust the barrel with freeze thaw. That makes me wonder how many hydrants have their oil well filled. But at least someone is out in their district checking them. That color scheme (NFPA 291) would suggest that hydrant provides less than 500gpm flowing with a 20psi residual but it sure looks like a hell of a lot more than that.
That's a heck of a lawn sprinkler system that guy's got there
Thanks, you learn something new everyday :)
There are some hydrants that have fine thread upper stems and/or spring loaded and no water will run out until about 6 or 7 turns so don't go by the 3 turn rule;)
I've personally watched this type of device break off at the thumbscrew and go flying down the street. Try not to use it in high volume situations
Who has to pay for this service?
You
Whoever owns the main water supply, thats where the water comes from, the maintenance is probably the fire department or a maintenance service
Totatlly wrong...hydrant should flow at least 15 min at full head