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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 5. Department of Health
Chapter 590. Waterworks Regulations
12/21/2024

12VAC5-590-1170. Hydrants.

A. Fire hydrants.

1. To avoid cross-connection and contamination, dry barrel fire hydrants:

a. Should be located in areas that are not subject to high groundwater, flooding, surface water ponding, and contaminant or pollutant spills. When this is not practical, consideration shall be given to:

(1) Piping the drain port to daylight with screening on the end of the pipe; or

(2) Plugging the drain port and marking the hydrant for seasonal dewatering.

b. Shall comply with the ANSI/AWWA C502-18 standard, to include drain ports that are physically isolated from the drinking water system by the hydrant stem valve; and

c. Shall be drained to the ground surface or to a dry well provided exclusively for this purpose. Fire hydrant drains shall not be connected to sanitary sewers or storm drains.

2. Fire hydrants shall be connected only to water mains adequately designed for fire flows in accordance with the requirements of 12VAC5-590-1120 B.

B. Yard hydrants.

1. Shall have a hose connection vacuum breaker, meeting ASSE 1011-2017 or ASSE 1052-2016, if the hydrant has hose threads and is not already protected with an integral vacuum breaker.

2. To avoid cross-connection and contamination, yard hydrants installed in areas subject to high groundwater, flooding, contaminant, or pollutant spills or in areas where surface water ponds shall:

a. Meet ASSE 1057-2012, Performance Requirements for Freeze Resistant Sanitary Yard Hydrants with Backflow Protection; or

b. Have hydrant drain ports that are piped to daylight with screening on the end of the pipe; or

c. Be contained from the rest of the distribution system by a backflow prevention assembly suitable for a high hazard.

3. Frost-proof yard hydrants with weep holes draining below grade are allowed provided they are not installed in areas subject to high groundwater, to flooding, or to contaminant or pollutant spills or in areas where surface water ponds.

C. Hydrants and flushing devices not designed for fire protection may be connected to pipe of less than six inches in diameter, consistent with 12VAC5-590-1120 A.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR355-18-012.07 § 3.54, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.

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