yard hydrant on roof

[John Dirks Jr]

At the Post Office building where I also work I sometimes have to go up on the roof and reset the HVAC unit.   Next to the unit is a yard hydrant.  Is there a code compliance that insists this gets installed and what is the intended purpose?  

 

[Bill Kibbel]

I see them occasionally.  They're made specifically for commercial roof installation.  Idon't think there's a requirement, unless maybe something local. 

It's handy to be able to clean the economizer screens and coils without having to leave the roof (and for techs to cool off fixing the AC in 100°).

[Marc]

Never seen one before but boy, ohh boy, I'd sure love to have one on commercial roofs to help clean the coils on roof top units. What Bill said.

[adair]

all i can add is should be protected from freezing and signage is code required for nonpotable

[Bill Kibbel]

30 minutes ago, adair said:

all i can add is should be protected from freezing

Roof hydrants, just like yard hydrants are specifically designed to be frost proof as they provide for year round water use. 

"and signage is code required for nonpotable"

I really can't think of a reason that I would assume non-potable water would be conveyed to this hydrant.

[Fern31]

If I’m not mistaken that’s a Woodford rooftop hydrant, I actually work at the Woodford Manufacturing plant and build these and many other of our hydrants! So cool to see people use things that I made or helped make! To answer your question at woodford we specialize is “freezeless hydrants” there’s a special plunger that allows water to drain so it doesn’t get caught in the pipe and freeze. Also many lengths of pipe that typically are buried or built below the surface (frost line) to avoid freezing so you always have running water even in the dead of winter!

Edited April 23 by Fern31