Dry Hydrant #5 Traditional Cache

Having water available in area streams, ponds and cisterns helps a fire department only if the water is readily accessible.
The needed water may be located so far away from where it is needed that a fire department's ability to control the fire is impaired.

Mobile water supply vehicles can move water from distant sources,but the critical factor is whether or not the fire department can
maintain an uninterrupted supply of a predictable rate of water at the fire scene.

Installation of dry hydrants into nearby and developed water supplies eliminates the inefficiency and complexity of long-distance water shuttle operations. This arrangement also allows access to water sources from a roadway instead of having to work on soft ground immediately adjacent to the pond orstream.

In any area without water mains and domestic fire hydrants,the dry hydrant concept can provide a simple, cost-effective solution to the need for rapid access to water sources. A dry hydrant consists of an arrangement of piping with one end in the water and the other end extending to dry land and available for connection to a pumper.

Dry hydrants have the following features:

•Use a non-pressurized pipe system.

•Use relatively inexpensive piping materials and other supplies.

•Are permanently installed in existing lakes, ponds, streams and cisterns.
& Provide a means of access whenever needed, regardless of weather.
& Allow years of simple operation with a minimum of maintenance.