Do You Have Any Fire Hydrant Testing/Maintenance Recommendations?

This month's question asks about proper fire hydrant testing or maintenance practices. The article provides basic information on two types of fire hydrants, wet‐barrel hydrants and dry‐barrel hydrants. Common concerns that occur when incorrectly operating a hydrant are discussed, along with color coding of hydrants for flow capacity, timely repair/replacement of hydrants, keeping hydrants clear of vegetation and other obstructions, using a stethoscope as a listening device, using a weighted cord to check for water standing in the barrel of the hydrant, and checking for leaks around seals and threads.