How Do Fire Hydrants Work?

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It should be noted that this video isn't meant to be a comprehensive guide to fire hydrants. There are tons of variations of hydrants, especially when you start looking outside the US. In this video, we look mainly at US hydrants and fire systems. Enjoy!

Other note: The colors of hydrants expressed in this video are in regards to the color of the body. The color of the cap can also be used to indicate flow rate per NFPA standards.

Fire hydrants are all around us. These above ground pipe fittings can supply flows upwards of 1500 gallons per minute to save lives and put out fires across the world. We all know what fire hydrants do but how exactly do they work?

Called fireplugs, fire pumps, johnny pumps, fire hydrants, these life-saving pipe fitting shave been around since 1801. Their designs vary by country of origin, but they usually have a connection point to hook up a fire hose and a nut or bolt to turn that will start the water flow.

Essentially every fire hydrant is just an attachment to a main potable water line. If you see one on the side of the road, there's likely a potable water line running underneath that connects to the hydrant valve through a pipe called a "riser." It's important to note that hydrants don't alter the pressure or flow of the water in any way, they simply function as valves so firefighters can utilize the already present pressure in the water pipes. While all of this may sound simple, the internal mechanics of a fire hydrant are a little more complex and can vary by region.

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