Wall hydrants are used both for fighting incipient fires by laypersons and for providing a safe supply of extinguishing water for the fire department.
The maintenance of wall hydrants is described in DIN 14462 (planning, installation, operation and maintenance of wall hydrant systems, above-ground and underground hydrant systems and "dry" extinguishing water systems).
We will give you an overview of how a wall hydrant test is carried out and what needs to be observed.
What types of wall hydrants are there?
- Type S wall hydrant: S stands for self-help. This type is used exclusively for fighting incipient fires by non-professionals. Operation is child's play and is similar to using a garden hose.
- Type F wall hydrant: F stands for fire department. This type is designed so that it can be used both by trained personnel to extinguish incipient fires and by the fire department as a safe and rapid supply of extinguishing water in the building.
Maintenance intervals of wall hydrants
Wall hydrants whose pipes are constantly filled with water are serviced at least once a year.
This is based on DIN EN 671-3 and DIN 14462. In addition, the manufacturer's specifications and the state of the art must be observed. Among other things, the following is inspected:
- Accessibility
- Labeling
- Operating instructions
- Damage
- Fastening of the wall hydrant cabinet and the reel support arms
- Flawless opening of the doors
- Smooth operation of the extraction valves
- Other accessories
Important: A separate test of wall hydrants is not sufficient. The entire extinguishing water system must always be tested.
The essential steps in maintenance
As part of wall hydrant maintenance, all components are checked for function, ease of movement and general condition. The detailed steps of the wall hydrant inspection are regulated in the aforementioned DIN 14462. It also contains references to other applicable standards and specifications.
In addition to the points mentioned above, the pressure and volume flow at the valves of the wall hydrants are also measured. This involves checking whether the values required by building regulations are complied with. The so-called extinguishing water transfer points (e.g. tank/pump, filling and emptying station), if present, must also be checked in connection with the maintenance of wall hydrants. It is not possible to test wall hydrants separately from this. In this context, the correct connection of the extinguishing water system to the drinking water installation is also checked and documented.
Visual inspection by operator every 6 months
A visual inspection by the operator is required at regular intervals, but at least every six months. The operator is responsible for determining the inspection intervals based on a risk assessment and findings from previous inspections. Operator inspections are also described in DIN 14462.
Documentation of wall hydrant maintenance
At the end of maintenance, our service technicians seal the connection devices and affix the maintenance certificates in a clearly visible place. These labels show the inspection date and the service technician's expert number. We naturally ensure that the wall hydrants and risers are correctly labeled.
DIN 14462 also requires a maintenance report for wall hydrants. This documentation is required, for example, for submission to property insurers and expert inspections.
The maintenance report should include the following:
- Month and year of maintenance
- Test result
- Scope and date of installation of spare parts
- Information on whether further maintenance or repair measures are required
- Month and year of the next maintenance measure and inspection
- Identification of each hose reel and wall hydrant.
In almost all federal states, the state building regulations require a periodic inspection by a building authority-approved expert in addition to maintenance.
We prepare the appointment for CWS Fire Safety customers; our local and expert service technicians accompany the expert. In connection with the wall hydrants, we also service additional components, such as pressure boosting systems and filling and emptying stations. This one-stop service reduces effort and costs.
Reliable maintenance is a question of competence
The quality of the maintenance of wall hydrants is largely determined by the qualifications of the personnel carrying out the work: We are happy to share this statement by the VdS. Maintenance, repair and testing of wall hydrants belong in the hands of qualified experts!
According to the Industrial Safety Regulation and the Technical Rules for Industrial Safety, only experts or qualified persons may carry out this task. Qualified persons must be appropriately trained and experienced. Our service technicians meet all the requirements.
Either way - with regular maintenance of the complete wall hydrants by our service technicians, you are on the safe side. CWS Fire Safety is your reliable partner for all fire protection issues.