From the 16th century, as wooden mains water systems were installed, firefighters would dig down the pipes and drill a hole for water to fill a “wet well” for the buckets or pumps. This had to be filled and plugged afterwards, hence the common US term for a hydrant, ‘fireplug’.

England

Yellow indicates that the water comes from a public supply system. Violet means the water comes from a lake or pond. While most areas follow this color scheme, some choose to make up their own system. Either way, fire hydrants may stick out like a sore thumb but those bright colors are chosen with your safety in mind.

As of 2014, a fire hydrant weighs a minimum of 500 pounds. Older hydrants used by firemen in the city of New York between 1904 and the 1930s weighed up to 800 lbs. Digging up a fire hydrant may cost between $2,000 and $4,000.

As to the value of your hydrant, that is hard to say. Many municipalities sell their old hydrants at scrap value, currently around $0.03 per pound, making the above ground section worth very little. Typical prices paid to water departments for an old hydrant range from $5 to $35 in scrap fees.

Fire hydrants are to be located within five (5′) feet from the curb. A four (4”) inch discharge shall be placed at a 90 degree angle to the curb. Hydrants are to be set plumb, with the four (4”) inch outlet centered at eighteen (18”) inches above the grade or ground, whichever is higher.

Weight: 149 lbs (68 Kg). Meets or exceeds ANSI/AWWA C503. Individual Stem Operation.

Cast iron remains the most common material for fire hydrants, but ductile iron is also used. Water works brass, also referred to as bronze, is used in many of the parts associated with the main valve and drain valve areas, and for the nozzles.

Generally, fire hydrant valves need to be turned counter clockwise to open. It is crucial that you open the valve slowly and fully. Opening the valve partially can cause serious damage to the fire hydrant and carries a risk of injury to you and to bystanders.

When in the ‘open’ position, the valve at the bottom of a dry barrel hydrant rises to plug drain holes and simultaneously permit water to fill the barrel of the hydrant. These drain holes act as weeps which slowly drain the hydrant barrel and help prevent freezing.