American Flow Control AMERICAN-DARLING B-84-B-5 Testing

1. Following the pressure test, close the hydrant
main valve.
2. Carefully remove one outlet nozzle cap and place the
palm of one hand over the outlet nozzle opening.
3. Drainage should be sufficiently rapid to create a
noticeable suction.
1. After testing and backfilling, the hydrant should
be safely flushed and tested to be sure that it is
bacteriologically safe before it is put into service.
2. Tighten the outlet nozzle caps so they will not be
excessively tight, but tight enough to prevent their
removal by hand.
5-1/4" AMERICAN-DARLING
AMERICAN Flow Control recommends you follow the general Inspection and Installation guidelines outlined in
AWWA Manual M17 for Installation, Field Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Hydrants and/or as recommended below.
The thrust bearing hydrant requires a minimum of torque to operate. WARNING: Special care should be taken in the
installation, inspection and repair of pressure containing devices such as valves and hydrants. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW PROPER PRACTICE AND GUIDELINES CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. High pressure and
water hammer, due to rapid opening or closing of a hydrant or valve, can also cause major damage to the hydrant,
valve, water main, fire hose, or other attached equipment. It is possible to damage the hydrant by forcing it beyond its
limits of travel with excess torque; therefore:
1. Check direction of opening as marked on the hydrant
cover.
2. To open, turn the operating nut until the main valve
is fully open and the travel stop nut limits further
opening. Do not force the hydrant in the open-
ing direction beyond fully-open as indicated by
sudden resistance to turning. If water does not
flow when the hydrant is open, it is probably due to
a closed valve upstream from the hydrant. Always
open the hydrant completely, never only partially. A
hydrant that is partially open will allow pressurized
flow through the drain valve, which may wash away
the soil from the area surrounding the base, or the
partially open main valve may trap small stones
or other debris between the valve seal and seat.
3. To close, turn the operating nut until the valve
stops the flow. It is not necessary to close this
style of hydrant with great force. Once the flow
has stopped, turn the operating nut in the opening
AMERICAN Flow Control
5-1/4" AMERICAN-DARLING

Drainage Test for Dry Barrel Hydrants (Draining Type)

WARNING: FAILURE TO RELIEVE PRESSURE CAN RESULT IN
THE CAP BLOWING OFF, CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Placing a Hydrant Into Service

B-84-B-5 OPERATION, INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE
®
B-84-B-5 TESTING
®
4. If the hydrant fails the drainage test, replace and
tighten the nozzle cap, partially open the hydrant (1
or 2-turns) with the outlet nozzle caps on to create a
pressure that will flush and clear the drain assembly.
If this fails to restore proper drainage, then the drain
assembly should be removed and inspected. If the
drain assembly is clear, then the problem may be that
the drain outlets are plugged from outside the hydrant.
Repair will require digging down around the outside of
the hydrant and clearing the drain outlets.
3. Clean the hydrant exterior to remove dirt accumu-
lated during installation. Touch up any areas where
factory coating was damaged during handling or
installation. Use an appropriate top coating or contact
factory for touch-up coatings.

Operation

direction about 1/4 turn to take the strain off the operat-
ing parts of the hydrant. If the hydrant does not shut off
completely, do not attempt to force the hydrant to
close. Debris and small stones may be trapped in
the valve seat and may be preventing the hydrant
from closing. Partially open and close the hydrant
several times to help dislodge the debris. If this does
not work, safely remove the hydrant operating rod
assembly, remove the debris and repair as detailed in
subsequent sections of this manual.
WARNING: FAILURE TO RELIEVE PRESSURE
4.
CAN RESULT IN THE CAP BLOWING OFF,
CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Make sure the
auxiliary gate valve in the lateral between the main
and the hydrant is closed and that the hydrant is not
charged with pressure when removing caps.
Page 1B-12
5-1/4" American-Darling B-84-B-5 Hydrant