Hydrant System
Powerful Firefighting Across the Site.
Hydrant systems are the fire water infrastructure that allows the fire brigade or authorised teams to fight a fire from outside around factories, warehouses, campuses, logistics sites, hotel complexes and large buildings.
Request a Quote for Your Project →What is a hydrant system and why is it important?
A hydrant system is a fixed external fire protection installation that provides high-flow access to water for firefighting outside the building.
Hydrants are dedicated external connection points to which fire brigade hoses or on-site fire teams can connect to draw water in the event of a fire. The system consists of a fire water tank, fire pumps, underground or above-ground pipework, valves and hydrant bodies.
In large buildings, internal fire hose cabinets or a sprinkler system alone may not be sufficient. A hydrant main is a critical safety element for façades, storage yards, access roads, loading areas and open production sites.
The right hydrant system must be assessed together with adequate flow, adequate pressure, correct spacing, frost protection, vehicle access and regular testing.
What does a hydrant main consist of?
A hydrant system is more than the red hydrant body outside. The pump, water tank, site main, valve sets and test points must all be designed correctly together.
Above-Ground Hydrants
Above-ground hydrants stand visibly above ground level and are easy for fire crews to reach. They are one of the most widely used solutions at factories, warehouses, campuses and large outdoor sites.
Their visibility allows a quick connection in an emergency. They are positioned at appropriate distances along access roads, around buildings and near areas with a high fire risk.
Technical specifications
| Suitable applications | Factories, warehouses, logistics sites, campuses, hotels, large commercial sites |
|---|---|
| Advantage | Clearly visible, quickly accessible and provides a powerful water outlet for external firefighting. |
| Points to note | The hydrant must not be obstructed, must be protected against vehicle impact and must be suitable for winter conditions. |
Hydrant Site Main
The hydrant site main is the main pipework that carries water from the fire pump or fire water tank to the external hydrant points.
This main is usually laid underground. It must be sized according to the pipe diameter, number of hydrants, number of hydrants operating simultaneously, pressure losses and distances on site.
Technical information
| Suitable applications | Large-site facilities, factory sites, storage areas, industrial zones |
|---|---|
| Advantage | Ensures safe water distribution to several hydrant points. |
| Points to note | Incorrect pipe sizing can result in insufficient flow and pressure at the hydrant. |
Flow Rate and Pressure Calculation
For a hydrant system to do its job, the presence of a hydrant body is not enough. The system must be able to deliver the required water flow and pressure in the event of a fire.
The flow rate determines the amount of water available for firefighting, while the pressure ensures that the water reaches the fire effectively through the hose and nozzle. Both values play a critical role in fire pump selection.
Technical assessment
| Values checked | Pump flow rate, outlet pressure, pressure at the most remote hydrant, pipe diameter, difference in elevation, hose loss |
|---|---|
| Advantage | A correctly calculated system ensures effective external firefighting in the event of a fire. |
| Points to note | An undersized pump or pipework will cause the system to underperform in the event of a fire. |
Hydrant Testing and Maintenance
Once installed, a hydrant system must be inspected regularly. If a valve has been left closed, the main pressure has dropped, a coupling is damaged or the hydrant has frozen, the system cannot do its job in the event of a fire.
Testing and maintenance include visual inspection, valve checks, flow testing, pressure measurement, leak checks and frost protection.
Items checked during maintenance
| Purpose of maintenance | To ensure that the hydrant operates reliably, quickly and at adequate pressure in an emergency |
|---|---|
| Inspection frequency | Inspections must be carried out periodically in accordance with local regulations, the building’s risk class and operating procedures. |
| Points to note | Vehicles must not be parked in front of the hydrant, and it must not be covered by snow or materials. |
What should you consider when choosing a hydrant system?
1. Hydrants must be positioned correctly.
Locations that can be reached by fire appliances, cover the surroundings of the building and are close to high-risk areas should be chosen.
2. Flow and pressure must be calculated.
Simply having a hydrant is not enough. If sufficient water volume and pressure cannot be delivered in the event of a fire, firefighting may be ineffective.
3. The system must be tested regularly.
If the hydrant main, pumps, valves and couplings are not inspected periodically, the system may fail in an emergency.
Let’s plan the right hydrant system for external fire safety.
We will prepare a safe hydrant infrastructure based on the site layout, the building’s risk class, the fire water tank, pump capacity, pipework and fire brigade access.