Fire Hydrants Overview
A fire hydrant system comprises water supply pipework and valves to which brigades can connect their hose for fire fighting purposes.
In the U.K. the pressurised mains laid under public roads which distribute water to consumers are also used by fire brigades. Underground hydrant valves to BS 750 are permanently connected to the mains at intervals. Fire hose is connected to the valves via a standpipe.
Tall buildings should have a permanently installed rising main which consists of a vertical pipe with brigade connections to BS 5041 at different levels of the building. There are two types of rising main: