Portland Oregon Fire Hydrant Specifications, 1933
Source:   City of Portland, Stanley Parr Archives and Records Center, Auditor, Council Documents, Series 2001-09, 2/18   "Proposals 857-1219", 1933


SPECIFICATIONS FOR 6-INCH HYDRANTS

    The work to be done under these specifications consists in manufacturing and delivering to The City of Portland, Oregon, six-inch (6") post Fire Hydrants in accordance with the following specifications.
    The hydrants are to be similar in design and equal to the "Corey" hydrant as manufactured by the Rensselaer Valve Co., Troy, N.Y., with one four inch (4") steamer butt, and two two and one-half inch (2-1/2") hose butts. Diameter of valve opening shall be five inches (5") and hydrant shall have bell connection to main for six-inch (6") cast iron pipe.

    Plans.   The bidder shall submit with his proposal detailed plans of the hydrant he proposes to furnish.
    Thread Dimensions.   Threads for hose and steamer butts shall conform to template, or be of the following "National Standard" dimensions:

Inside diameter of hose coupling 2.5"
Outside diameter of finished thread 3-1/16"
Diameter root of thread 2.8716
Total length of male thread 1"
Clearance between male and female threads 0.030"
Number of threads per inch 7-1/2
Pattern of thread 60° V
Cut off at top of thread 0.01"
Left in bottom of thread 0.01"

Steamer Thread Details.
Inside diameter of hose coupling 4"
Blank end of male part 0.250"
Outside diameter of finished thread 4.890"
Diameter root of thread 4.609"
Clearance between male and female thread 0.050"
Total length of thread, male end 1.375"
Number of threads per inch 6
Pattern of thread 60° V
Cut off at top of thread 0.01"
Left in bottom of valley 0.01"
Female end to be cut 0.125" shorter than male end for clearance

    Materials.   The metals for all cast iron parts of the hydrants shall be of good quality, strong, tough and of even grain and soft enough to admit of satisfactory drilling and machining. The castings must be smooth, clean and perfect without blow holes or defects of any kind. No plugging or refilling will be allowed. Specimen bars of each heat of metal used, each bar being 26 inches long by two inches wide and one inch thick, shall be made without charge. Such bars when placed flatwise upon supports 24 inches apart and loaded in the center must support a load of 2,200 lbs. and show a deflection of not less than .35" before breaking; or if preferred, tensile bars may be made which must show a breaking point of not less than 22,000 lbs. per square inch.
    All composition metal used must be of the best quality, to have a tensile strength of not less than 32,000 pounds per square inch, with 18% elongation in a test bar of 2 inches and 5% reduction of area at the breaking point. Composition for the main operating spindle must be hot rolled Tobin bronze, having a tensile strength of not less than 55,000 lbs. per sq. in. and an elastic limit of not less than 25,000 lbs. per sq. inch, or of cast bronze of equal strength and of a composition to be approved by the Engineer.
    All wrought iron must be of the best quality double refined iron of a tensile strength of at least 50,000 lbs. per sq. inch. All other materials must be of the best quality.
    Direction of Operation.   All hydrants shall open by turning to the left, or counter-clockwise, and there must be cast on the top of the hydrant an arrow at least 2-1/2" long and raised 1/8" and the word "OPEN" in letters 1/2" high and 1/8" in relief indicating the direction of turning to open the hydrant. Each hydrant shall bear the name or trade mark of the manufacturer.
    Hydrant Bottom.   Hydrant bottom shall be of cast iron with finished flange for connection with standpipe by suitable bolts.
    Spindle.   Spindle shall be hot rolled Tobin bronze, threaded right and left, with threads for drip valve operation on the bottom.
    Operating Arms.   Operating arms shall be drop forged steel with bronze bushings, connected to hydrant valve with Tobin bronze, gate pins having bronze cotter pins.
    Valve Seat Ring.   The valve seat ring shall be of bronze and shall be leaded to valve seat.
    Main Hydrant Gate.   Main hydrant gate shall be cast iron with rubber valve, and cast iron valve washer held by a suitable bronze stud with bronze nut.
    Drip Barrel.   Drip barrel shall be of bronze and shall be leaded to hydrant bottom.
    Drip Valve.   Drip valve shall consist of a bronze drip valve holder, with rubber cup-shaped drip valve held by a bronze washer with suitable bronze tap bolt.
    Top and Bottom Stem Nuts.   Top and bottom stem nuts shall be of bronze.
    Couplings.   Couplings between stem and spindle shall be of bronze, riveted with suitable bronze pins.
    Hydrant Standpipes.   Hydrant standpipes shall be of cast iron, flanged and finished at bottom for connection with hydrant bottom by suitable bolts, and with acceptable gasket.
    Operating Rod.   Operating rod shall be of first quality steel, riveted at the bottom to the coupling and connected at the top to a sleeve collar of cast iron with four suitable screws.
    Operating Sleeve.   Operating sleeve shall be of cast iron and shall be provided with an operating nut of pentagonal shape, finished with a slight taper and 0.8" on each side at the bottom.
    Main Stuffing Box.   Main stem stuffing box shall be of bronze, provided with a bronze follower.
    Head.   A cast iron head shall be attached to the hydrant standpipe with suitable bolts.
    Dome.   The hydrant dome shall be of cast iron and shall be attached to head with suitable bolts.
    Caps.   Hose caps must be provided for all outlets, and must be securely chained to the barrel with swivel ring and chain not less than 1/8" in diameter.
    Hose Nipples.   Hose nipples must be of bronze, threaded into the hydrant and pinned in place.
    Tests.   Hydrants shall withstand, without leaks, a hydraulic pressure of 300 lbs. per sq. inch.



Portland Oregon Fire Hydrants