An advantage of ________ hydrants is that there is no flow of water from a broken hydrant.

• A. Dry barrel hydrants
• B. Wet barrel hydrants
• C. Combination hydrants
• D. Above-ground hydrants

Answer: (A)

Dry barrel hydrants keep the water supply shut off in the underground main, with the above-ground part kept dry when not in use. The valve and most of the water are below ground, and the hydrant drains automatically when closed, so there isn’t water in the exposed portion. If the hydrant is damaged or broken, there’s no sustained flow from the hydrant because the water pressure is isolated underground. This minimizes water loss and reduces flood risk at the scene.

Wet barrel hydrants, by contrast, contain water in the vertical barrel at all times, so a broken hydrant would leak or spray water. Combination or above-ground designs can still present water flow if compromised, since they don’t isolate the underground supply in the same way.