Author Topic: Hydrants (Read 16402 times)

Footy · « **on:** February 20, 2007, 04:46:12 PM »

Whose responsibility is it for maintenance of Hydrants/Fire Plugs on roadways. On Sunday during some brigade training, we spent about ten minutes, clearing bitumen off of a hydrant cover on a road that had been resealed. Once into the Hydrant, it took another few minutes to sink the standpipe, after clearing all the build up of stuff in the hole...

This time be could be the difference between a house and a parking lot. I know that i would prefer that these be maintained, especially in my street...

Any suggestions?

SA Firey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2007, 05:46:37 PM »

United Water is responsible however because we are so good at finding hydrants/fireplugs for them to fix, they cracked it and said we are not allowed to do that unless it is in firefighting operations.

They also recommended only using hydrants at the last point in a dead end street,so we dont upset the water quality for residents by flushing them(you know from putrid black to nice and clear)before we fill our appliances.

It disturbs the sediment in our ageing waterpipes so not allowed.

5271rescue · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2007, 06:43:38 AM »

SA water is the go,and we should not be flushing hydrants while we have water restrictions that came out with the new level 3 from CFS restrictions last month.

Darius · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2007, 08:41:56 AM »

yep it's SA Water. Had similar problems in areas like Aldgate a while ago. The group hassled SA Water for ages about it but nothing was done, they wanted CFS people to go around and check them all and report individual ones that needed work! A story appeared in the local paper (the courier) about it, you can imagine how it went: your house is on fire but CFS can't find a hydrant or get water out of it etc etc. SA Water went around and fixed them all up after that, and did a good job of it (pity they didn't do that in the first place but anyway).

Evac · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2007, 01:02:11 PM »

There is an appropriate form to fill out to send to sa water for repairs of hydrants and replacement of blue reflective markers. See your regional hq.

Camo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2007, 01:24:22 PM »

Quote from: 5271rescue on February 21, 2007, 06:43:38 AM

SA water is the go,and we should not be flushing hydrants while we have water restrictions that came out with the new level 3 from CFS restrictions last month.

Drought or no drought, i dont wanna be filling up our truck without flushing the hydrant first. All it takes is for a stone to get into the pump and all hell can break loose.

5271rescue · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:42:05 PM »

sorry i ment to say we should not be testing plugs/hydrants other than for use on refilling the appliances or at a working job....

Alan (Big Al) · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:47:15 PM »

Did anyone else get the tap fitting that goes on the standpipe?? we did, but you still use a few litres of water to fill the standpipe

5271rescue · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2007, 04:00:33 PM »

we did

bittenyakka · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2007, 04:07:29 PM »

I I think we got the tap.

I was trained to when sinking a stand pipe
a) try and pull up the closest cover if that doesn't work call for the sledge hammer while you run down to the next location and try that plate cover don't be afraid to get out 64mms
b) if you re having great difficulty tell the next arriving appliance to stop and sink a standpipe whilst sending their BA operators to the incident (assuming they are required)

Firefrog · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2007, 05:51:07 PM »

Get a SAMFS style plate cover lifter

bittenyakka · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2007, 05:51:52 PM »

Could you please explain these or show a pic?

Scania_1 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2007, 06:53:27 PM »

The device next to the standpipe on the left hand side.

bittenyakka · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2007, 07:04:29 PM »

Thanks that's what i assumed it would be like or similar to a stake remover. If it would fit on the truck it would be great.

Scania_1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2007, 07:49:10 PM »

That is the older one. There is a newer one that fits on the water trolleys we carry but I dont have a photo of it. It is more compact and lighter than the big one.

SA Firey · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2007, 06:32:25 PM »

We have the plate cover lifters on all our appliances

Scania_1 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2007, 04:38:46 PM »

Another drama with hydrants is the lack of pressure you get from them in certain places. Makes it a bit hard to get a decent supply of water when you get a decent job. Thats after you have dug up someones front lawn to find the plate..lol.

5271rescue · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2007, 07:03:13 PM »

well athol,stop watering your garden when theres a fire....

.. but yoyr right time SAWATER upgraded some mains in country towns..Did you know that there is a AUST STANDARD for hydrants and ground plug's??? But SA does not follow it.....

loopylou · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2007, 07:51:17 PM »

First time i saw an SA standpipe i thought 'what the?' I'd much rather use the standard standpipe, easier to use.

Footy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 04, 2007, 10:00:10 PM »

Any ideas on where to get an "Appropriate Form" to tell them to do their job ??
Maybe I will set up a company and get government/local council/concerned individuals, to come out and clear their hydrants and make sure their house can be put out if its on fire

Hey, that ideas copywrite, hands off...

LOL

Blue · « **Reply #20 on:** March 04, 2007, 10:17:28 PM »

I know at least one street that had to be checked every year, after a Neighbourhood Watch meeting rallied together, I think maybe the local Member was involved too.

Moral as always Footy "squeaky wheel gets the oil".

I suggest you put your squeak in writing, and have several others in your street sign it too....

Footy · « **Reply #21 on:** March 04, 2007, 10:23:17 PM »

well, its lucky that I live on a long street, that just happens to be near a primary school
always good place to get things moving.
Teachers are just fantastic at appropriating change...

(and i'm not just saying that cos I'm a chalky...)

SA Firey · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2007, 03:03:23 PM »

We checked a hydrant outside a well known pub in the hills years ago, and guess what....it was a foot and a half to the left of the hole.

I really hope a brigade never has to use that one

Blue · « **Reply #23 on:** March 08, 2007, 04:36:57 PM »

Surely that will be a priority for fixing - can't let the pub burn down!!

SA Firey · « **Reply #24 on:** March 10, 2007, 06:27:50 AM »

Then it would be a pub with no beer