A hydrant is an outlet from a
fluid
In physics, a fluid is a liquid, gas, or other material that continuously deforms (''flows'') under an applied shear stress, or external force. They have zero shear modulus, or, in simpler terms, are substances which cannot resist any shear ...
main often consisting of an upright
pipe with a
valve
A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically fittings ...
attached, from which fluid (e.g.
water
Water (chemical formula ) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a ...
or
fuel
A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but ...
) can be tapped.
Depending on the fluid involved, the term may refer to:
*
Fire hydrant for firefighting water supply
*
Flushing hydrant for cleaning water mains
* Hydrant network systems used to transport aviation fuel from an
oil depot
An oil terminal (also called a tank farm, tankfarm, oil installation or oil depot) is an industrial facility for the storage of oil, petroleum and petrochemical products, and from which these products are transported to end users or other stora ...
to an airport, to fuel aircraft
*
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun", also known as a "snow cannon". Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliabilit ...
hydrants, which use water and air
*
Standpipe (street), a type of domestic or neighbourhood hydrant for dispensing water when supply is interrupted or absent
{{disambig
Fluid dynamics