Kansas City, Missouri Spec
Early hydrants, the "KCM Spec", were made to a water department design. Current practice is to buy off the shelf hydrant models configured to their specific needs; the "KC-1 Spec". The steamer nozzles are all 4". By specification, the operating stem must open to the right.

Within the City limits of Kansas City, MO hydrants are color coded.
  • An orange barrel hydrant with black cap(s) indicates a normal, working fire hydrant.
  • A silver barrel fire hydrant indicates that the hydrant, when opened, will flood a nearby building or basement.
  • A red bonnet indicates that the hydrant is attached to a 4 inch water main.
  • A black bonnet indicates that the hydrant is attached to a 6 or 8 inch water main.
  • A green bonnet indicates that the hydrant is attached to a 12 inch or greater water main.
  • White paint indicates that the hydrant is inoperable.

    If you have any additional information about these please Contact us.


    All photos © Mark Dieckman.

      "KCM Spec"
    "KCM Spec" hydrants were made to a Kansas City, MO water department design by Mueller Co. However, the upper barrels lack any embossing which would indicate who the manufacturer was. They have a 5" valve opening size and a tamper-proof operating nut.
  • This earliest known version has a one piece barrel design with a double ground line O.D. rib. And although this hydrant has no embossing on the barrel or bonnet it bears a very close resemblance to the 1 piece barrel hydrants made by Columbian Iron Works, the predecessor of Mueller Co.
  • 1929
    Nozzles: 2x 2.5", 1x 4"
  • These later hydrants have are of a two piece barrel design. At some point in the 1980's the city changed their requirements from 3-nozzle hydrants to single steamer nozzle hydrants.
  • 0789
    Nozzles: 2x 2.5", 1x 4"
    0062
    Nozzles: 2x 2.5", 1x 4"
    0010
    Nozzle: 1x 4"
    Dated: 1986
    Close-up of bonnet.

      "KC-1 Spec"
    At some point in the 1990's Kansas City abandoned their own hydrant design in favor of off the shelf hydrant models supplied with the same tamper proof operating nut and a single steamer nozzle. Shown below are manufacturers / models that they have bought.
    0790 M&H Valve
    Model: 129I "Regent"
    Date: 19??
    0063 Clow
    Model: Medallion
    Date: 19??
    0791 Mueller
    Model: Super Centurion
    Date: 19??
    2378 US. Pipe
    Model: ?
    Date: 2005


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