At Hedrick Fire Protection, fire hydrant testing is one of the essential services we offer to keep communities safe and make sure water systems work properly. Regular testing, scheduled annually or every five years, assesses the hydrant’s condition and performance so that it’s always ready to supply water during emergencies. This process confirms proper water flow, pressure, and overall reliability to protect lives and property. Our fire hydrant maintenance company uses professional techniques to make sure hydrants meet industry standards.
Annual Testing
During annual inspections, we check key elements of the fire hydrant to ensure its functionality. Here are the processes we complete during annual fire hydrant testing:
Visual inspection: We check for any noticeable damage like dents, rust, or anything blocking the hydrant.
Cap and thread check: Make sure caps and threads are in good shape and easy to use.
Lubrication: Moving parts are lubricated so that they don’t stick or stop working.
Valve operation: Test opening and closing valves to make sure they work smoothly.
Pressure and flow testing: Measure the water pressure and flow to confirm there’s enough supply for emergencies.
Drain check: Verify the hydrant drains properly to avoid freezing or clogs.
Five-Year Testing
Every five years, hydrants go through a more detailed check to evaluate their long-term reliability. While the yearly inspections catch surface-level issues, the five-year test digs deeper to spot potential problems like wear or corrosion in the hydrant’s inner workings. Disassembling the parts for inspection and testing prevents surprise failures, maximizes the hydrant’s lifespan, and keeps the hydrant in line with safety regulations.
Flow Testing
Fire hydrant flow tests measure how much water comes out of a hydrant and at what speed. Our licensed technicians select one hydrant as the residual (also called static) hydrant and one or more hydrants as the flow hydrants. By gauging pressure at the residual hydrant with the flow hydrants closed, we determine the system’s normal static pressure. Then, we take another reading with the flow hydrants open to determine the system’s residual pressure.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), public fire hydrants require flow tests every five years. The test detects problems like blockages or low pressure that could prevent enough water from getting to a fire. The results of the test help ensure there’s always enough water supply available and guide future system maintenance.
Schedule Hydrant Testing With Hedrick
Fire hydrants give firefighters quick and easy access to water to stop fires from spreading, limit damage, and protect lives and property. The NFPA mandates annual and five-year fire hydrant testing to keep these systems ready and reliable. Keep your hydrants in top condition with Hedrick Fire Protection’s testing services. Call us today at (877) 570-3473 to schedule your hydrant testing and protect your community.
