Hydrants Technical Data :: Smith Specification Hydrants Technical Information

Hydrants Technical Data

SPECIFYING WALL SIZE
The primary function of both the 5500 and 5600 Series 1/4 turn non-freeze wall hydrants is to supply water to the building exterior without danger of freezing, regardless of how low the outside temperature falls. For this reason, the hydrant must be specified with a casing long enough to locate the valve seat inside the heated building. The illustration below (Fig. 1) shows how to determine proper size required.

FIG. 1

Often, non-freeze wall hydrants must be concealed entirely within the wall. When so required, an overall dimension can be specified. This dimension is measured from face of hydrant box to extreme end of inlet connection. When the valve seat must be concealed within the wall, extra precautions must be taken to properly insulate the valve seat housing to protect against freezing.

NOTE:

All wall hydrant series are available in short as possible types for mild climate installation. Specify series number -SAP.
When ordering, specify Figure Number and “A” dimension. “A” should always be greater than wall thickness for non-freeze installations. When a wall clamp is specified, add 1-1/4” to the wall thickness to arrive at a minimum required “A.” For all wall hydrants except for the 5619 and 5519 the “A” specified should be the next larger, even number; such as 06”, 08”, 10”, etc. These wall hydrants are furnished in lengths of 2” increments. The 5619 and 5519 wall hydrants are supplied in 1” increments.

HOSE CONNECTIONS
Smith 1/4 turn non-freeze wall hydrants are regularly furnished with a 3/4” - 11 1/2 NH garden hose connection. This connection is regularly furnished for both 3/4” and 1” inlet sizes. A 1” 11 1/2 NPSH water hose connection can be furnished (-HC1) when specified.

1/4 TURN NON-FREEZE WALL HYDRANTS

Box-type 1/4 turn non-freeze wall hydrants are recommended for all finished exterior walls. Smith regularly furnishes this type wall hydrant with a stainless steel box. Figure 5560QT Series has a bronze box with a high polished chrome plated face. Stainless Steel and chrome plate finish will not “oxide stain” finished exterior walls. All Smith boxes are face-of-wall design. The box flange covers the rough opening and fits flush against exterior wall surface. The hinged locking cover conceals the hose nozzle and all operating parts. Advantages of flush recessed box type non-freeze hydrants are:

No protruding hose connection, operating mechanism or key.
Protected against vandalism and tampering.
Flush design offers the ultimate in appearance in any finished exterior wall.

Projecting hose connection type 1/4 turn non-freeze hydrants (5600 Series) are recommended in finished exterior walls where protruding parts will not present a problem and where vandalism or tampering protection is not a necessity. This type is recommended with a nickel plated face to prevent staining of finished walls. Usually, the exposed type hydrant is installed where shrubs or other plantings conceal the hydrant and where property is protected by fencing or other security measures.

1/4 TURN NON-FREEZE SERIES
With exception of short as possible (-SAP) types, series 5500 and 5600 should always be used where outside temperatures drop below freezing. In mild climates or at indoor locations where freezing temperatures are not encountered, the 5509QT-SAP and 5519-SAP type mild climate box hydrants may be installed. These series are regularly furnished with a stainless steel box to protect the finished wall from staining.

The 5509QT and 5609QT series non-freeze wall hydrants are regularly furnished with an integral atmospheric vacuum breaker. The 5519 and 5619 series non-freeze wall hydrants are regularly furnished with an integral vacuum breaker dual check valve. The 5560QT and 5561QT series are regularly furnished without a vacuum breaker. These are available with an add-on type vacuum breaker as variation (-H) when specified.

NON-FREEZE GROUND and POST HYDRANTS are supplied with a special valve housing which prevents freezing of hydrant during non-use periods. The valve housing must be installed below the frost line (minimum depth of bury) which prevails for the area of installation. The valve housing has a drain hole which drains the casing of hydrant when hydrant is shut off. In effect, there is no water in the casing during non-use periods. Normally, water from the drain hole is allowed to drain into the ground. The valve housing should be set in a bed of gravel so that water drained from casing can leach into ground.

Some locations which require Non-Freeze Ground Hydrants cannot tolerate water draining from the drain hole. Examples are parking garages, plazas, and roof decks used for recreational purposes. Often in this type of application the valve housing will protrude into a finished area which is not subject to freezing temperatures. To eliminate the problem of water drainage in this type of installation, Smith can supply a tapped drain hole in the hydrant box and a tapped drain hole in the valve housing. By using the tapped drain hole, water accumulation in the box, and the normal drain down water from the valve housing drain hole can be piped to a suitable drain. (This option is not available on the 5909 Post Hydrant).