State of Connecticut's Forestry Division Hosts GBW Bridge-Mounted Dry Fire Hydrant Workshops
 
By President Mark Davis
July 13, 2013
 

During the second week of July 2013, the State of Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Forestry Division hosted two, one-day workshops on the design, installation, and use of bridge-mounted dry fire hydrants. GBW Associates, LLC was contracted to deliver the workshops which included classroom work in the morning and an actual bridge-mounted dry fire hydrant installation in the afternoon.

The first workshop was hosted on July 9th by the Colcherster VFD and was attended by many folks from the Colchester area as well as southern Connecticut. On July 10th, the second workshop was hosted by the Somers FD and was attended by folks from northern Connecticut as well as Massachusetts and Vermont.

The focus of the one-day workshops was to provide information on the use of bridge-mounted dry fire hydrants as well as information on permitting and environmental concerns. The programs were 50% funded by the Forestry Division and Kochek donated the all of the suction fittings!

We at GBW Associates, LLC wish to thank the CT Forestry Division as well as the Colchester and Somers Fire Departments for having us develop and deliver the program.
 
Workshop participants get ready to lower the pipe over the bridge into the GBW swivel bracket on the Somers bridge.
Workshop participants get ready to lower the pipe over the bridge into the GBW swivel bracket on the Somers bridge.
Mark Davis was the lead instructor for the program. Here he is shown discussing the finer points of site selection.
Mark Davis was the lead instructor for the program. Here he is shown discussing the finer points of site selection.
 
The Forestry Division's tent made a nice work area - given the heat and humidty - and the rain.
The Forestry Division's tent made a nice work area - given the heat and humidty - and the rain.
Gluing the pipe in preparation for attaching the suction strainer. 6-inch, schedule 40 PVC pipe was used.
Gluing the pipe in preparation for attaching the suction strainer. 6-inch, schedule 40 PVC pipe was used.
 
With all gluing done, the finished dry hydrant was moved into position on the Somers bridge for final attachment to the swivel brackets.
With all gluing done, the finished dry hydrant was moved into position on the Somers bridge for final attachment to the swivel brackets.
The final product! (Somers)
The final product! (Somers)
 
Flow testing the final product. (Somers)
Flow testing the final product. (Somers)
Gluing pipe at the Colchester bridge.
Gluing pipe at the Colchester bridge.
 
Both installations used Kochek's 6-inch teardrop strainer.
Both installations used Kochek's 6-inch teardrop strainer.
Flow testing the Colchester installation.
Flow testing the Colchester installation.
 
The final product. (Colchester)
The final product. (Colchester)
The final product - Colchester.
The final product - Colchester.