Water Supply Cistern - Not Your Normal Fire Hydrant
 
By President Mark Davis
January 14, 2016
 

At first look, this fire hydrant at South Carroll High School in Carroll County, Maryland looks to be an ordinary fire hydrant outfitted with an adaptor on the steamer outlet. However, upon closer inspection, the hydrant actually is connected to a 20,000-gallon cistern that "somewhat" gravity feeds the hydrant. However, the better practice is for the engine company to take suction from the hydrant - this increases the flow and provides for a more reliable water supply. To reduce set up time, the local FD retrofitted the hydrant with a 6" NST fitting so that a 4-1/2" x 6" adaptor is not needed.
 
A normal fire hydrant?
A normal fire hydrant?
The sign tells mutual aid pump operators about the set up at this fire hydrant.
The sign tells mutual aid pump operators about the set up at this fire hydrant.
 
The 20,000-gallon cistern sits under the grassy knoll near the stairs in this photo.
The 20,000-gallon cistern sits under the grassy knoll near the stairs in this photo.
The local FD received grant funding to improve water supplies. They retrofitted the 4-1/2" hydrant fitting so that the pumper driver would not need a special adaptor in order to use 6"suction hose..
The local FD received grant funding to improve water supplies. They retrofitted the 4-1/2" hydrant fitting so that the pumper driver would not need a special adaptor in order to use 6"suction hose..
 
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