Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Heli-Hydrant™ ?
It is a permanently installed open top dip site or water source for firefighting helicopters. Placed in strategic locations, the patented Heli-Hydrant™ allows firefighting helicopters to rapidly respond and refill quickly. In other words, our tanks are fire hydrants for helicopters.
What is a Heli-Hydrant™ tank made of?
Our tanks are constructed with the same grade steel as municipal water reservoir tanks.
What are the dimensions of the Heli-Hydrant™ ?
A Heli-Hydrant™ is 15 feet in diameter and 8 feet tall.
How many gallons can the Heli-Hydrant™ hold?
The Heli-Hydrant™ can hold 8,500 gallons when completely filled. The largest permanent dip site available.
How does the Heli-Hydrant™ get it’s water?
Heli-Hydrants™ are supplied with water from a municipal water system, just like a regular street hydrant, and are ready 24/7 to fill on command.
Does the Heli-Hydrant™ need personnel on site?
No. Every Heli-Hydrant™ is completely automated and will function on its own for hours, days, weeks until deactivated and returned to standby mode. No ground personnel are required for Heli-Hydrants™ to function.
How does Heli-Hydrant™ technology work?
When not in use the Heli-Hydrant™ stands empty and remains dry until activated. Heli-Hydrants™ are remotely activated by pilots in firefighting helicopters via radio signal when needed. The Heli-Hydrant™ may also be activated by the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition system, also known as (SCADA), which is commonly used by water departments. The Heli-Hydrant™ continually fills and refills as long as Helicopters are on scene. Either the pilot or the SCADA system can return the Heli-Hydrants™ to standby mode when they are no longer needed.
How fast does the Heli-Hydrant™ fill with water?
A Heli-Hydrant™ can fill at an approximate rate of 1,200 gallons per minute. Within about two to five minutes the water is deep enough for a helicopter to start snorkeling. Typically, the tank is completely full at seven minutes on average. Fill speed is site pressure dependent.
How fast does a Heli-Hydrant™ refill after snorkeling?
While a firefighting helicopter is snorkeling water out, the Heli-Hydrant™ is refilling on its own and requires no ground personnel. The refill rate is the same as the fill rate, between 400 to 1,500 gallons per minute, site pressure dependent.
What color is a Heli-Hydrant™ ?
Heli-Hydrants™ come in a variety of colors. Tan is typically the most chosen color for most locations.
What are the installation options?
Heli-Hydrant Inc. uses a simple three-tier price system.
Tier One: Includes consultation with the Heli-Hydrant Inc. team for optimal placement to support your community’s strategy. You will receive all the components of the Heli-Hydrant™ unit as well as the Heli-Hydrant Inc. team to supervise your construction crew to ensure proper installation and placement.
Tier Two: Includes the consultation and unit components the same as Tier One. Additionally, the Heli-Hydrant Inc. team will complete the entire installation of the Heli-Hydrant™ unit to power, water supply and drainage connections that you provide.
Tier Three: Offers all of Tier Two with the addition of completing the entire project from water supply to drainage. Other needs or options, like an additional storage tanks or emergency helipads, can also be included. These additional construction costs are calculated based on the unique topography of the location, access to water or drainage and the additional site features desired. The Heli-Hydrant Inc. team can help you consider what is practical in your location and situation.
Contact us HERE for a quote.
How long does it take to install a Heli-Hydrant™ ?
Timelines are contingent upon logistics, approvals and cooperations of all parties involved. After consultation and contract terms are accepted custom fabrication is completed in six weeks and installation is completed at the site in two weeks.
Who installs Heli-Hydrants™ ?
Heli-Hydrant Inc. conducts the site surveys, negotiations and installation of the Heli-Hydrant™. Heli-Hydrant Inc. is able to fully complete your project or can also coordinate with other agencies and sub-contractors to do so. Contact us HERE to learn more.
What should the location footprint look like for a Heli-Hydrant™ ?
The ideal location for a Heli-Hydrant™ is somewhere near and below a water source such as a storage tank or water line and away from homes, power lines, trees and other tall obstructions. Helicopters need a minimum of 200 feet of complete 360 degree clearance around the Heli-Hydrant. Simply put, a potential site should be clear of all on ground and overhead obstructions for 200 feet in all directions.
Who usually purchases a Heli-Hydrant™ ?
Heli-Hydrants™ are typically purchased by water departments, however, any person or organization that is interested in supporting aerial firefighting in their area, can purchase or help support the purchase of a Heli-Hydrant™
As a citizen, how can I bring Heli-Hydrant™ sites to my community ?
Citizens can contact their communities water department or fire department and share their thoughts for improving the firefights capabilities in their community. The best place to start would be to contact the general manager of the water department in your community.
As a developer, can we incorporate Heli-Hydrant™ sites into our new communities?
Yes. New construction provides the benefit of flexibility when choosing sites. In the early planning phases, developers can strategize the best placement for a Heli-Hydrants™. At any time in the development process the Heli-Hydrant Inc. team is able to assist developers with identification of potential sites or assist with coordination between water departments, fire departments, aerial firefighting units and/or local governments.
What happens if humans or wildlife get stuck in a Heli-Hydrant™ ?
Heli-Hydrant™ is safe for humans and wildlife. It is dry when not in use and a safety ramp is installed on the interior of the tank to allow an animal or human to exit the tank easily and safely.
Are mosquitos a problem with Heli-Hydrants™ ?
No. Because Heli-Hydrant™ is dry when not in use and only activated when needed there is not opportunity for standing water to occur. Even if the tank is in operation for days at a time, the frequent snorkel dips would disturb the water making mosquito gestation unlikely.
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