Hydrant Diffuser

[rebal1oo]

Does anyone know of a lightweight diffuser? The one we use weighs about 25lbs. Any help would be nice. You can email me at rebal1oo@gmail.com. thanks.

Steve

[Emberxx]

Try this:

http://www.edarley.com/darley/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=20907&secid=94&linkon=subsection&linkid=275

[Res343cue]

What exactly does a diffuser do?


Edit: Nevermind, answered my own question.

Next question: Why not just use a fog nozzle, or some other type of appliance instead of purchasing one of these devices?

[Emberxx]

My understanding - for when you're flushing a hydrant. They're used to redirect the flow of water. It helps to avoid soil erosion around the hydrant itself. Also, from the few I've seen, they are equipped with a trap for any debris.

[Res343cue]

My understanding - for when you're flushing a hydrant. They're used to redirect the flow of water. It helps to avoid soil erosion around the hydrant itself. Also, from the few I've seen, they are equipped with a trap for any debris.

But why would you want to trap debris in the hydrant? Isn't that why we flush them out to begin with?

[rebal1oo]

We have a lot of places we do not want to erode and the chief wants us to use one.

[rebal1oo]

you do not want debris flying and risk hurting people or property. Normally the trash flows into a screen so the hydrant does get cleaned.

[Emberxx]

You're not trapping debris in the hydrant (that would be kind of hard to do given the gpm and velocity that it exits at) it's trapped in the diffuser.

[rebal1oo]

Does your dept. use this diffuser? if so does it work well and can you put a pitot guage on it for pressure readings?

[Emberxx]

No, we don't use one, although I have seen some that you can use a pitot gauge with. I'll ask around - I think the neighboring department uses them.


Take a look at this - just found it online.

http://www.hosemonster.com/products.html

[ftfdverbenec770]

343- you use a diffuser to lessen the force of the water comming out of the hydrant by deflecting it after it passes the pitot tube. you use one when you dont want to erode soil like others have said before. another reason is when you are in a neighborhood where the houses are close togeather and you have no real good spot to aim your stream of water. we use a 45' angle from the engine and then attach the pitot tube, then if needed a short section of hose and then the diffuser.

[JackTee09]

Emberxx

Great description!

[slackjawedyokel]

We have a 4-1/2 " diffused that has a pitot built in --- it also swivels 360 -- very handy