Yard Hydrants

[admin]

Are yard hydrants required on new SFR?

[Uncle Bob]

Yard hydrant,

I haven't heard that term used since I was a kid; when my grandma would send me out to the hydrant in the back yard, for a bucket of water for the kitchen (no plumbing in the house); and at first was confused. In those days it was a brass faucet about two feet out of the ground, attached to a galvanized water pipe. I don't know of any requirement for a yard hydrant.

Today they are more complicated and have several safety features;

www.simmonsmfg.com/specifications/sanitary_hydrants.html

I don't know of any requirement for a yard hydrant,

Uncle Bob

[admin]

okay, let me rephrase in modern vernacular.

is a "hose bibb" required for a new SFR?

[Uncle Bob]

Pack,

" is a "hose bibb" required for a new SFR? "

NO, hose bibbs are not required in the IRC; however, because there are ususally at least one in back and front; many make the assumption that they are.

But, if you do install a hose bibb it is SUPPOSE BE installed in accordance with P2903.10; and Figure P2903.10.

However, most jurisdictions (especially in Texas) do not enforce this because a stop-and-waste-type valve inside the building are not functional or practical; and the thin walled frostproof hose bibbs are guaranteed to freeze and break, within the wall and cause a real mess.

When I worked in the plumbing shop at Ft. Hood, Texas; the contractors were required to install the "freezeproof hose bibbs" according to the contract; in a new housing division; and we had to follow them and replace them with regular piping and hose bibbs, as soon as they finaled the homes and turned them over to to us.

I haven't looked it up in a long time; but I believe the Texas State Plumbing board prohibits the use of stop and waste valves on hose bibbs. I do remember that stop and waste valves were prohibited on house supply valves; from back in the early 1970s.

Hope this helps,

Uncle Bob