Properly operating fire hydrants are essential to public safety, yet they are perhaps the part of the water distribution system most vulnerable to damage from traffic impact and vandalism. Years of being idle especially if neglected can be detrimental to reliability. A likely result of any hydrant maintenance and assessment program is the discovery of malfunctioning or broken fire hydrants, or isolation valves.
If a fire hydrant was installed in accordance with industry standards, with an isolation valve, blocking or restraint, and provisions for drainage, a malfunctioning hydrant might be “massaged” back into operation through relubrication and proper cycling during maintenance. Also in most cases, internal upper and lower barrel repairs can be done without excavation. When this cannot be safely accomplished, or if a compromised or missing isolation valve is involved, the situation will require partial distribution system isolation by way of shut down or line stopping.
Line stops can drastically reduce the amount of water main that has to be isolated. As a “Full Service” underground point specific service provider, Mueller Service Company technicians are fully equipped and trained to safely install double or single line stops according to need (up through 24”). They excavate (including ‘call for locates’ and maintenance of road traffic), make the necessary repairs, then restore areas to pre-excavation condition.
If the Utility wants to “cut in” a new fire hydrant to expand fire protection coverage, Mueller Service Company can install a new one without shut-down by doing a “wet tap.” Also, in many cases our trained technicians can tie back an un-restrained isolation valve to the distribution system tee without isolating the distribution system.
Mueller Service Company can provide a total “turn-key” opportunity for the Utility that is short of sufficient staff or time. Optionally, Mueller Service Company can work in “partnership” with the Utility that opts to assist in the excavation, maintenance of traffic, or restoration of property/pavement.
Mueller Service Company works to develop a comprehensive plan for fire hydrant repair, replacement or installation that meets the needs of the Utility, which may include:
- Fire hydrant restoration using exercising or “massaging” techniques.
- Hydrant main valve replacement, or upper/lower barrel internal repair on any make/manufacture of hydrant (providing repair parts are available).
- Full fire hydrant or isolation valve replacement.
- Fire hydrant and valve isolation using line stops, single or double up to 24”.
- New fire hydrant with isolation valve installation using “wet tap.”
- Site excavation and post-excavation restoration.
- Turn-key or cooperative service programs.
- GPS services, and asset data management.
- Miscellaneous point repairs, such as tee replacement or abandonment of old fire hydrant.