A fire hydrant is a device used mostly by firefighters to extract water from a pipeline or water distribution system. It is typically red and metallic, commonly found along the road or in the streets. This device is very important because it provides firefighters with a smooth and steady supply of water during incidents of a fire outbreak. Let’s know more about Fire Hydrant Cost.
Purchasing a new fire hydrant would cost about $1,000 to $3,000. If you want it installed by a professional, it would cost you between $3,000 to $7,000. You should know that the price depends on the location, the size, model, the contractor, and the location’s proximity to a water source.
A Brief Need-to-know About Fire Hydrants Before Making A Purchase
When installing a fire hydrant, it is very important and advised to purchase quality tools and materials. This is so that you won’t have to deal with replacing it again. The quality of the material is a major factor to consider when looking at the cost of installing a fire hydrant.
If you are replacing a hydrant, then you need to properly check the components of the system to know which part is faulty and needs replacing. There are four different components that make up a functional fire hydrant.
- The relief valve
- Cast iron dirt cap
- Breaking ring
- Drain valve
The components listed above each have specific functions. One part cannot work without the other and so, it is important that all of them are working well. The number of parts that need to be repaired or if you’re replacing the entire fire hydrant system determines how much you’ll spend.
Also, before installing a fire hydrant, check to see if the location is close to a steady source of water. The further away the hydrant is from the water source, the more expensive it would cost to connect it.
Additional Expenses are associated with installing a fire hydrant.
Every device that is purchased or installed needs to be maintained, and so does a fire hydrant. Lack of maintenance reduces the chance of your fire hydrant being useful to you, particularly in the case of an emergency.
Annual maintenance is necessary for a fire hydrant, although it is an additional recurring expense. This maintenance might cost you around $20 to $50 per year.
There are also cases where the water level would drop and so you’ll need to spend money to dig up deep. This would cost you somewhere around $2,500 to $4,000.
How To Save Money When Installing A Fire Hydrant
Here are a few ways to avoid spending so much on a fire hydrant:
- As earlier stated, ensure you purchase quality materials from the onset that would serve you longer so that you wouldn’t need to replace any part regularly. This would help save you from future expenses.
- If you want to personally set up a fire hydrant near your house, ensure you check your city and its codes when it comes to this kind of service. You might be lucky to find out that you are entitled to get one and so the government will cover the expenses.
- Do not situate a fire hydrant in places where it would obstruct pedestrians or moving vehicles. This would help you avoid accidents that would cause damage to the device, making you spend money on replacement or repair.
- Ensure that you provide adequate training to whoever would be handling the hydrant. Properly trained personnel will know how to use it well, therefore avoiding usage-related damages.
- When using a fire hydrant, try not to open or close it too quickly. This could cause a water hammer and lead to damage to the nearby pipes that connect it to the water source. An occurrence like this means more expenses because you would have to replace the damaged pipes.
Conclusion
A fire hydrant is mostly overlooked and not many people understand its usefulness. However, it is a necessity in every street in case of a fire outbreak, because nobody can predict when it will occur. Not being able to put out a fire easily and quickly can lead to loss of life and property.
When purchasing a fire hydrant, you should not focus only on its installation in the neighborhood, you should also make sure that they are always functional. This includes checking the parts, the underground water pipes, and the major water source.
There are varying kinds of fire hydrants but one of the things they have in common is that they are designed to serve for a very long time. The usual life expectancy of a typical fire hydrant is 20 years and above. Of course, this can only be possible if it is properly maintained and not destroyed by acts of violence or accidents.
