A North Arlington firefighter was injured on Wednesday August 19, 2009 while charging a Fire Hydrant near a P.S.E & G substation. The Standpipe Coupling Ring that attaches the Fire Hydrant to the Vertical Pipe split in half with explosive force.   A five ( 5" ) hose had been attached to the hydrant steamer connection, with a shut off valve, to assist P.S.E. & G in a cooling operation at one of their primary electrical substations. One transformer at the station had been removed from service for emergency repairs and because of the summer heat and extra demand the remaining transformer was beginning to overheat resulting in local blackouts.

 
The firefighter was standing behind the hydrant and had just started to charge it when he heard a high pitch whistling sound. Sensing that something was not right he started to turn and run away from the hydrant. At this point the Standpipe Coupling Ring split into 2 pieces striking the firefighter in the shin.
The firefighter receiced a severe bruise to the the leg bone that required a half cast to help relieve the pain while standing. It is not sure yet how long the firefighter will be out of work.
 
The hydrant is a U. S. Pipe - Metropolitan M-94 model. Manufactured in 2006.
The hydrant was a private yard hydrant that had just been replaced 2 months ago. The hydrant is attached to vertical steel pipe with a cast iron or cast steel collar called a Standpipe Coupling Ring.
 
Initial review of the Standpipe Coupling Ring revealed a coating of rust at one of the break points that could have come from a crack that allowed water to seep into the Ring. At this point we cannot tell if the Standpipe Collar Ring was damaged during installation, subsequent to installation or was a defect from the factory.
 
We plan on instructing all of our firefighters to check the Standpipe Coupling Ring for any cracks or damage before charging a fire hydrant, but a small hairline crack may be difficult to spot when hooking to a hydrant at a fire. Routine annual inspections should also include the Standpipe Coupling Ring and any damage no matter how minor in appearance should be cause for removal and repair.