DRY HYDRANT MANUAL
A Guide for Developing Alternative
Water Sources for Rural Fire Protection
From code originally developed for Summit County, Colorado
ALTERNATE WATER SUPPLY POLICY
SCOPE:
This policy is intended to offer guidance and assistance to the property owner,
contractor and developer in meeting the requirements of the Uniform Fire Code
and Chapter 14 (as amended) of the Uniform Building Code for the provision of
adequate water supplies for rural firefighting. This policy does not necessarily
meet ISO requirements for installation of a draft fire hydrant.
GOALS:
1. To reduce ISO ratings
2. To design each installation with the capability of flowing 1,000 gpm
3. To obtain points for fire mitigation
4. To function to protect life and property
DEFINITION:
A draft fire hydrant is a specially designed and constructed fire hydrant, which
has been approved by the Fire Department having jurisdiction. This draft fire
hydrant shall be connected to a year-round draft water source of sufficient
capacity to meet the fire fighting needs of the property(s) involved. Fire hydrants
which are connected to a pressurized municipal watercourse are not covered by
this policy.
PERMITS
A. A review of the draft fire hydrant plans shall be completed by the Fire
Department having jurisdiction prior to issuing a grading permit to allow
construction of a draft hydrant. A site plan review shall be used to
determine site-specific requirements including, but not limited to depth
of pipe, required insulation materials, backfill requirements, and draft
site requirement. Additionally, information containing drought
conditions for the past 50 years may be required to be submitted.
B. A statement signed by the owner of the property on which the draft
hydrant will be located, shall authorize access to and use of the draft
fire hydrant by the Fire Department and its agents. The Fire
Department having jurisdiction will be using water under the
presumption of non-injury/non-consumption for fire emergency use.
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ACCEPTANCE TESTING
A. All draft hydrants shall be subject to acceptance testing approved by
the Fire Department having jurisdiction prior to being accepted as a
water source. Acceptance testing shall include GPM verification of the
water source. Maintenance and testing will return water within 200 feet
of its drainage.
MAINTENANCE
A. Draft fire hydrants require bi-annual testing and maintenance. The
hydrants should be tested with a pumper. Back flushing followed by a
pumper test at a maximum designed flow rate, with records kept of
each test, is required. Tests of this kind will not only verify proper
condition, but also keep the line and strainer clear of silt and the water
supply available for any fire emergency.
B. Any homeowner using the draft hydrant who has obtained points for
mitigation or an ISO classification shall be responsible at all times for
keeping the draft hydrant and its protective barriers free from
obstruction by vehicles, materials, structures, snow, or other
obstructions, and shall maintain the draft hydrant in a serviceable
condition at all times.
C. It shall be the responsibility of the property owners using the hydrant
for mitigation of ISO classification purposes to immediately notify the
Fire Department having jurisdiction of any draft hydrant which is
obstructed, damaged, or our of service for any reason.
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
A. All draft hydrants shall be located within eight (8) feet of a road
maintained year-round. Access to the system shall conform to the road
and bridge standards in Appendix D "Access and Water Supply".
B. All draft hydrants shall have a single draft connection located a
maximum of 30” measured from the grade level of the roadway where
the fire apparatus will be parked to the top of the draft hydrant’s
threaded connection. Additionally, life shall be determined by
measuring from year-round low level of the water surface to the truck
intake.
C. All draft hydrants shall have a draft tube running horizontally from the
water source to the base of the riser consisting of a minimum of six (6)
inch PVC. PVC pipe meeting AWWA specification C9000 with a SDR
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of 18 or less may be required through or under foundations and under
driveways (Schedule 80 pipe or its equivalent may be deemed
necessary in some instances). All joints must be sealed watertight,
airtight and rootproof.
D. The piping shall be placed in bedding material of ¾” washed or screen
rock or in native soils, providing that the native soils contain no sharp
materials or stone larger than two and one-half (2.5) inches that may
damage the piping.
E. The bedding material shall be placed to a depth of four (4) inches
below the pipe and six (6) inches above the top of the pipe.
F. The draft fire hydrant pipe extending from the water source to the rise
pipe connection shall have a grade of minimum .5% to a maximum 2%
toward the water source. (This excludes the riser section immediately
preceding the fire department connection).
G. All draft fire hydrants shall have a single draft connection consisting of
an approved fitting and cap having a 6” male NST threads. (Size of
connection shall be determined by the Fire Department having
jurisdiction.)
H. No more than two elbows are recommended. Elbows may be 90 or 45
degree bends (See Figure 1).
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
A. All draft fire hydrants shall be painted red in color (oil base paint) with
reflective tape, to protect PVC pipe from the adverse effects of sunlight
and to assist in the rapid location and identification by the Fire
Department.
B. All draft fire hydrants shall be protected from damage by snowplows,
motor vehicles, etc., by the installation of three (3) steel pipes buried
three (3) feet into the ground with four (4) feet extending above the
grade level of the roadway. The entire pipe shall be filled with concrete.
The protective pipes shall be located in a triangle configuration
approximately three (3) feet away from the draft hydrant. Steel pipes
shall be painted with red oil base paint and reflective tape.
C. All draft hydrants shall be required to have a sign stating "draft hydrant”
in a location acceptable to the Fire Department having jurisdiction.
The above policy is subject to change or modification by the Fire Department
having jurisdiction.
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MAXIMUM LIFT CONSIDERATIONS
Definition: Lift shall be determined by measuring from the lowest level of the
water surface to the truck intake, which is 36” above grade.
Maximum vertical lift recommendations:
Elevation Do Not Exceed
4,000 ft 13 ft
5,000 ft. 12 ft.
6,000 ft. 11 ft.
7,000 ft. 10 ft.
8,000 ft. 9 ft.
9,000 ft. 8 ft.
10,000 ft. 7 ft.
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