Fire Hydrant Annual Testing

IS IT IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR FIRE HYDRANT MAINTAINED?

The simple answer is YES. Fire hydrants are the points where the fire brigade draw water from. So if your building has some sort of fire protection. It is possible that the fire brigade would need to also use the fire hydrant to assist them further. Fire hydrants need to be regularly inspected and have full detailed pressure test every 12 month. After all if a fire hydrant closest to your building complex doesn’t work your fire protection could be rendered useless. Wether it be a Dry Riser or Wet Riser these systems are designed to be used in conjunction with fire hydrants.

 

WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH A HYDRANT TEST?

FLOW TEST

A flow test is a process of opening the fire hydrant fully and taking a reading using a ‘flow meter’. This gives you a reading of how many litres of water per minute pass through the fire hydrant. Whilst this test is carried out you are also looking for any leaks within the hydrant chamber.

STATIC PRESSURE TEST

This process involves fully opening the hydrant and using a gauge within your standpipe. Pressure tests are an important part of the fire hydrant test as this gives a reading of how much pressure is within the hydrant itself. Generally a good reading is anywhere between 2 and 4 bar.

DYNAMIC FLOW TEST

Using our latest flow meter we are able to offer a dynamic flow test. This is similar to a flow test. The difference is that a dynamic test gives you a pressure reading whilst the hydrant is fully operational. This test is arguably the most important as it is replicating the hydrants performance in t a true emergency.

Testing is an annual requirement for all private property owners though out the UK where fire hydrants are present. So if you have fire hydrants within your complex it is your duty to ensure that they are in good working order.

Feel free to get in touch with us @ sales@firetechdryrisers.co.uk and we will be happy to assist you.