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Dry Hydrant for Residential Pools with VGB in mind.

Posted by Tim Coleman on September 21, 2009 at 2:02pm in Advanced Pool Design
We have been asked to provide a bid on a rectangular 20 x 49 pool with depth from sun shelf (9 x 20) to 3'-6" to 8'-6". This is not an issue. One of the alternates is - the home is in a rural area and the insurance carrier has offered a substantial discount if a dry hydrant could be associated with the pool. I have done these on commercial projects in a pre VGB world. I would need a licenced professional engineer to design and stamp it although I think I have that part worked out. Anybody out there done one of these in compliance with VGB? Any thoughts on design? Refferals to an engineer who would be willing to tackle this?

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Replies

  • Jeffrey Kohlhas September 28, 2009 at 10:13am
    I have been using Ron Lacher with Pool Engineering for my prints recently. They are lisensed in many states and have useful input even on unusual projects such as this.
  • Tim Coleman September 24, 2009 at 9:10am
    As the pool will be winterized it does not appear that this system would be useful. I have not seen the mark urban site before and found it very interesting. I have typically been installing floor returns in my pools for the same reasons they describe, heat reversal. Take from the top and heat from below. I have actually been using the isotherm term with clients.

    James Kantorowicz said:
    I would check out the Mark Urban Fire Plug Valve. you can access his site at http://www.markurban.com and tell Mark that James from SolarAttic sent you.
  • Tim Coleman September 24, 2009 at 9:07am
    Thanks for the imput. The project manager is checking with the fire department. Your comments have been helpful.

    Scott Heusser said:
    In some areas of this state water cistern is mandatory for homes over 4000 sq ft (including garages & patio covers), not necessarily with a dry hydrant. I believe that if the fire department can get within 15 of the pool without a) collapsing the sides of the pool, or b) having to drive next to a burning building, the hydrant is not required. Last one I dealt with the local fire department required a flow of 2000 GPM for 10 minutes. At that time the opinions I gathered were that the suction fittings needed to be engineered to that flow, complete with a secondary layer. I doubt people would be swimming while their house is on fire, but you never know. As I recall we had 10 inch sched. 40 running into a field built sump w/ custom built grates and the hydrant at the other end. I also included waterstop fittings as a hedge against leaks. It wasn't a cheap date.

    Hope that helps.
  • James Kantorowicz September 24, 2009 at 8:22am
    I would check out the Mark Urban Fire Plug Valve. you can access his site at http://www.markurban.com and tell Mark that James from SolarAttic sent you.
  • Scott Heusser September 21, 2009 at 3:49pm
    In some areas of this state water cistern is mandatory for homes over 4000 sq ft (including garages & patio covers), not necessarily with a dry hydrant. I believe that if the fire department can get within 15 of the pool without a) collapsing the sides of the pool, or b) having to drive next to a burning building, the hydrant is not required. Last one I dealt with the local fire department required a flow of 2000 GPM for 10 minutes. At that time the opinions I gathered were that the suction fittings needed to be engineered to that flow, complete with a secondary layer. I doubt people would be swimming while their house is on fire, but you never know. As I recall we had 10 inch sched. 40 running into a field built sump w/ custom built grates and the hydrant at the other end. I also included waterstop fittings as a hedge against leaks. It wasn't a cheap date.

    Hope that helps.
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