When Isaac Ketteman, a Core & Main Supply account manager, worked as a treatment plant operator in North Carolina, he got used to dispatch calls alerting him that someone had hit a hydrant. “It’s always on a Friday,” Ketteman says. 

Securing the scene

Once on the scene, Ketteman surveys to ensure that the working area is free of power lines, immobile vehicles and other concerns for the health and safety of residents or people impacted by the incident.

“You have to plan for the worst-case scenario,”  says Ketteman. “Having the fire department on standby allows us to notify the department of down hydrants.”

An impacted hydrant usually needs replacement, but an undamaged hydrant and stem can be reused. In some slower-speed collisions, the safety flange and coupling will bear the brunt of the impact, allowing for the hydrant to be salvaged.

In higher-speed collisions, a hydrant might tear away from the flange too quickly and rip away some of the underlying infrastructure, exposing and breaking the water main. In all scenarios involving hydrant repair and installation, flushing and retesting are essential to ensure drinking water continues to meet regulatory standards.

Safety considerations

Working with a broken hydrant introduces various safety situations that should be approached cautiously and with proper PPE. 

“It’s common for work areas to have broken metal or glass after a vehicle collision,” says Ketteman.

Equip your team with cut-resistant gloves to handle points of impact that might have exposed sharp edges in the metal around the flange or hydrant. Safety glasses and hard hats should also be worn, along with waterproof and warm waders and boots, depending on the season.

Hydrant safety flange

The hydrant safety flange will separate during a vehicular collision or other forceful impact, often preserving the hydrant and pipes below.

“In our instance, the safety flange was a lifesaver,” Ketteman says. “In the past, a vehicle would hit the hydrant and either rip the pipe apart or (the impact would) severely harm the occupants inside.”

Nowadays, safety flanges are installed with new infrastructure, ensuring an extra degree of safety in newer developments and neighborhoods. A safety flange will be installed as a retrofit if an older hydrant is repaired or replaced.

Testing and preparation

Before turning the water back on to the residents, it’s crucial to flush the hydrant, test water flow, and take a water sample for lab testing. Flushing and flow testing can be achieved with a simple diffuse, meanwhile a lab sample can take 24 to 48 hours to get results.

Repairing or replacing a fire hydrant after a vehicular collision is a complex process that requires careful attention to safety, communication and proper equipment. Fire hydrant maintenance is an ongoing process, and municipalities should be prepared with the right tools, including safety flanges and breakaway valves, to minimize damage to infrastructure and ensure quick restoration of service.

Core & Main is a leading specialized distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products, and related services. Core & Main Supply is your one-stop shop for water and wastewater treatment products in the plant, lab and field. We’re dedicated to providing convenient and fast access to thousands of items from brands you trust, with in-stock items shipped directly to your facility. 

For more information, visit supply.coreandmain.com.