Hydrant & Hose Reel Systems

Hydrant systems give fire-fighters water at the building: external hydrants in the grounds, internal hydrant landing valves in stairs and on floors, rising mains (wet or dry) that carry water up tall buildings, and a booster or fire brigade inlet where fire appliances can pump into the system. Hose reels are fixed hoses for occupants to tackle small fires. In the United States the equivalent internal system is the standpipe, in Classes I to III.

In tall buildings the system is divided into pressure zones, with pumps, intermediate tanks or pressure-reducing valves keeping outlet pressures within the range fire-fighters' hoses and nozzles can handle. Booster assemblies carry a block plan showing the system, zones and pressures for the brigade. The system must suit the local brigade's couplings and procedures, which differ between jurisdictions and sometimes between brigades.

What shortens life:

• Vandalism and theft: caps, couplings and brass fittings.
• Seldom operated valves that seize.
• Landscaping, parking and construction that obstruct access.
• Freezing of exposed wet pipework.
• Internal corrosion.

Hydrant systems are rarely used in earnest, so their condition is established only by testing; a valve that has not been operated for years is likely to stick when the brigade needs it.

Obstructed access

Hydrants and boosters must be reachable by fire appliances and visible on arrival. Planting, parking bays, bins, fences and construction hoardings block them; signage fades or is removed; booster cabinets are locked with the wrong key.

Valve failures

Hydrant and landing valves seize, leak or are vandalised; caps and blank flanges go missing, letting debris in; dry riser inlets are damaged; non-return valves stick.

Inadequate flow and pressure

Hydrant systems must deliver a set flow at a set pressure at the most remote outlets. Falling town main pressures, corroded or partly blocked pipes, failed pumps and closed valves leave outlets short. Only a flow test shows it.

Dry riser failures

Dry risers leak when charged because joints, valves and drain valves have deteriorated unseen; inlets and landing valves are vandalised; air release valves stick.

Hose reel failures

Hoses crack and leak from UV and age; nozzles go missing; reels jam; isolating valves are closed; reels are obstructed by storage.

Backflow prevention

Backflow prevention devices protect drinking water from fire system water; they need annual testing and can restrict flow if poorly selected or failing.

Pressure-reducing valve failures

Pressure-reducing valves at landing valves or zone boundaries in tall buildings drift, stick or are adjusted wrongly. Outlets then deliver pressure too high for fire-fighters to control a hose safely, or too low to fight a fire. Their settings are only proven by flow testing at each zone.

Internal corrosion and blockage

Galvanised and black steel hydrant mains corrode internally; microbiologically influenced corrosion causes pinhole leaks; corrosion products and debris block valves and reduce flow at remote outlets.

Freezing

Wet pipework in unheated car parks, external areas and roof spaces freezes and splits in cold climates; dry systems are used in these locations for that reason.

Coverage after extensions

Building extensions, new mezzanines and subdivided tenancies put parts of the building beyond hose reach from existing outlets; the original design no longer covers the building.

On site

• Booster and hydrants visible and accessible from the street; signage; caps present.
• Landing valves in stairs: caps, wheels, leaks, signage.
• Dry riser inlets: doors, caps, damage.
• Hose reels: hose condition, nozzle, isolating valve open, obstruction.
• Corrosion and leaks on pipework.

In the records

• Routine service records.
• Flow and pressure test results.
• Dry riser pressure test records.
• Backflow device test records.
• Block plan at the booster.

• Pressure-reducing valve settings and tags at landing valves in tall buildings.
• Booster block plan present, legible and matching the building.
• Areas of extensions without hydrant or hose reel coverage.

Two patterns are often confused. Low pressure at every outlet points to the supply or pumps; low pressure only at remote outlets or one zone points to pipework, valves or a pressure-reducing valve in that part of the system.

Findings are graded by what they demand: safety (can hurt someone now), failure (failed and damaging the building), condition (distress present and progressing), lifecycle (renewal due on age and exposure), deadline (a regulator or ordinance sets the date), check (investigate before sizing works) and nil (cosmetic or stable).

A fire services engineer or the hydrant maintenance contractor, coordinated with the brigade where its equipment is used for testing.

• Access and signage inspection from the brigade's arrival point: booster and hydrant visibility, clear hardstand, signage, lighting, block plan, cabinet keys.
• Coverage check of every part of the building against hose reach from the outlets, especially after extensions and fit-outs.
• Valve inspection and operation: hydrant valves, landing valves, isolating valves (open and secured), non-return valves, caps and couplings.
• Flow and pressure test at the most hydraulically remote outlets, and at each pressure zone in tall buildings, against the design requirement; pressure-reducing valve settings confirmed under flow.
• Dry riser pressure test and inlet, valve and drain inspection.
• Hose reel test: flow, hose condition, nozzle, reel operation.
• Backflow device test.
• Pipework inspection for corrosion, leaks, supports and frost protection.

The report should state whether the system delivers required flow and pressure at every outlet and zone, whether the brigade can find and connect to it, coverage gaps, and failed components.

• Clear and protect access: relocate parking, bins and planting; bollards against vehicle damage; signage and lighting; updated block plans.
• Replace valves, caps and couplings, with anti-theft and anti-vandal fittings where theft is common.
• Recalibrate or replace pressure-reducing valves and confirm by flow test.
• Restore performance: clear blockages, replace corroded pipe, add or upgrade pumps, increase supply connections.
• Dry riser repairs: inlet boxes, valves, drains, joints, air release valves.
• Extend coverage with additional outlets after extensions.
• Hose replacement and reel servicing.
• Frost protection of exposed wet pipework.
• Booster relocation where it cannot be made accessible.

• Cabinet keys standardised to brigade keys and cabinets left unlocked where permitted.

Routine servicing and flow testing recur; dry riser pressure tests recur annually where required. Valve, coupling and hose replacement are priced per item. Pipework replacement is by length, with access and making good. Pressure-reducing valve replacement is per valve. Additional outlets are priced per outlet with pipework. Booster relocation is a lump sum with civil works.

Testing, access and safety rectification are code compliance; pipework and valve replacement at end of life is lifecycle; repairs are repairs and maintenance.

• Australia. AS 2419.1 governs hydrant installations and AS 2441 hose reels; AS 1851 sets routine service and flow testing; AS 2845 covers backflow prevention; essential safety measures with annual certification.
• United Kingdom. BS 9990 covers rising mains, including six-monthly inspection and annual pressure testing of dry risers; Approved Document B sets requirements for fire-fighting access and water.
• United States. NFPA 14 governs standpipes and NFPA 25 their inspection and testing, including periodic flow tests and hydrostatic tests of dry standpipes; NFPA 24 covers private hydrants and mains.

Brigade requirements also apply in all three jurisdictions: couplings, booster locations and block plans must suit the local fire service, which may inspect and comment on hydrant arrangements during approvals and after changes.

• Routine service records and annual certification.
• Flow and pressure test reports for remote outlets and each pressure zone.
• Dry riser pressure test records.
• Pressure-reducing valve settings and test records.
• Backflow prevention device test records.
• Booster block plan and hydrant system drawings.
• Records of extensions and fit-outs since the system was designed.