Which type of hydrants have the main valve controlling flow to all outlet nozzles and no drain mechanism?

• A. Warm climate hydrants
• B. Wet barrel hydrants
• C. Dry barrel hydrants
• D. Frost-proof hydrants

Answer: (A)

Warm climate hydrants, also called wet-barrel hydrants, keep water in the barrel at all times. The main valve at the base controls flow to all outlets, so when you close it, the barrel remains full and there’s no separate drain valve to empty water from the hydrant. Drains are typically required in dry-barrel or frost-proof designs to remove water after use and prevent freezing. So the absence of a drain mechanism is a hallmark of the wet-barrel design used in warm climates.