Fire hydrant wrenches are specialized tools used to access water valves in fire hydrants. They are larger and made of durable materials to handle the challenges presented by fire hydrants. Different models of hydrant wrenches are carried by firefighters to meet the needs of different applications. In the US, fire hydrants have a pentagon-shaped bolt that requires a special nut to remove. Other countries may use a different type of connector that requires a special key with a hooked or curved profile. Fire hydrant keys can also be used by maintenance personnel or crews outside the fire industry.
A fire hydrant wrench is a special tool used to access the water valves inside fire hydrants or fire outlets. These tools are much larger than standard wrenches and made of durable materials to handle the challenges presented by fire hydrants. Many firefighters carry different models of hydrant wrenches to meet the needs of different applications or to remove valve covers with a wide range of sizes. Some of these wrenches may even be adjustable to fit different sized plugs.
During a fire emergency, firefighters must open the hydrant and connect the hoses as quickly as possible to minimize damage and help save lives. Fire hydrants can make this process difficult. These fire hydrants are often made of metal, which can rust or corrode after years of exposure to the elements, causing valves and lids to stick. At the same time, hydrant designers must include special covers to protect the hydrant from tampering. A fire hydrant wrench is designed to address all of these potential problems and to quickly loosen even the oldest or strongest fasteners.
In the United States (USA), fire hydrants are often fitted with a large pentagon-shaped bolt. This special bolt is difficult or impossible to remove using conventional tools. A fire hydrant wrench in the US often incorporates a nut designed to fit this five sided bolt. It may include a metal rod that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the nut to fit different bolts of this design. Firefighters who rely on non-adjustable wrenches simply carry a selection of sizes to meet the needs of different applications.
Other countries and parts of the United States may rely on a different type of connector to join valve covers to a fire hydrant. These lids require a special key with a hooked or curved profile. Sometimes known as a Storz tool or tricoise wrench, this type of fire hydrant wrench is designed to wrap around the curved perimeter of the valve cover. A hook at one end of the wrench fits into a groove on the lid and helps firefighters unscrew the lid to gain access to the valves underneath. These curved wrenches can also be used to loosen stuck caps that have been removed using a pentagonal hydrant wrench, or even to tighten hose fittings once the hydrant is open.
A fire hydrant key can also be used by maintenance personnel or crews outside the fire industry. For example, gas or sewer workers may use these wrenches to adjust large bolts typically found in these types of applications. A fire hydrant key is also needed to turn on a main water service or to operate a water meter shut-off.
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