Demonstration of Corrosion-Resistant Fire Hydrant Retrofits for Military Installations.

摘要

Most fire hydrants are operated rarely, but it is critical that they be fully functional when needed. Corrosion can severely damage hydrants internally without any visible indications. Inoperable hydrants present an unacceptable risk to Department of Defense personnel and property. This project demonstrated a corrosion-resistant retrofit kit for fire hydrants that includes an anti-backflow valve to prevent accidental or intentional water-supply contamination. The technology was installed on 90 fire hydrants of various makes, models, and ages at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. To evaluate hydrant performance before and after the retrofits, the researchers measured the torque needed to operate each hydrant, volumetric flow, and static pressure. After 12 months in service with the retrofits, a subset of the hydrants was opened for visual inspection of the corrosion-resistant replacement parts. In addition, water chemistry at the demonstration site was tested three times within a year for corrosivity and scaling tendencies, and microscopic studies were performed on a previously failed hydrant component to determine the cause of its shape deformation. Visual evaluation of DATV components after approximately 12 months of service indicated that they provide excellent corrosion resistance. An economic analysis of the demonstration indicated a return on investment of 5.73.