American FLow COntrol

AMERICAN Flow Control (AMERICAN) has learned of a safety issue affecting some of its American-Darling brand fire hydrants manufactured from 2005 through 2011. Certain hose nozzles in these hydrants may develop cracks that, when the hydrant is pressurized, may cause the nozzle to separate from the hydrant body upper barrel.

The separation of a hose nozzle under pressure causes a loss of water pressure and renders the hydrant inoperable. Further, if nozzle separation occurs while the hydrant is under pressure, parts, hoses or high pressure water may be projected from the hydrant, posing a serious safety risk. DO NOT STAND IN FRONT OF A HYDRANT NOZZLE WHEN OPERATING A HYDRANT

All American-Darling fire hydrants manufactured from 2005 through 2011 must be inspected and repaired if necessary.

No. Only hose nozzles on American-Darling hydrants with a cast date of 2005-2011 on the upper barrel need to be inspected. Pumper nozzles are not affected and do not need to be inspected. The hose nozzles on 2005-2011 hydrants bear a foundry mark of either the letter “L” or “S” located on the interior surface of the nozzle, nearest the nozzle threads. Hose nozzles with the foundry mark “S” must be replaced. Pumper nozzles, and hose nozzles with the foundry mark "L", or L followed by a number, such as “L5”, are not subject to this notice and do not need to be replaced. Also excluded from this notice are American-Darling hydrants produced in 2006 with Amlok nozzles. Amlok nozzles do not need to be replaced.

No. But in keeping with the high quality standards for which our company is known and to retain your valued trust, we are replacing all hose nozzles marked with an “S” on American-Darling hydrants manufactured from 2005 through 2011.

Even if the hose nozzles are not currently cracked, they must still be replaced. In some cases the cracks are difficult to identify. Out of an abundance of caution, AMERICAN is replacing all affected nozzles.

AMERICAN has implemented a hydrant hose nozzle replacement program to replace affected hose nozzles. If you believe that you have an American-Darling fire hydrant affected by this service bulletin, please contact AMERICAN Customer Service at 800-326-7082, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, or email us at afcquestions@american-usa.com. Customer Service will direct you to an instructional video and instructions for identifying and replacing the hose nozzles; and provide information about reimbursable expenses, accompanying forms and directions for submitting a claim to AMERICAN for reimbursement.

You simply need to be prepared to tell AMERICAN the number of American-Darling fire hydrants you have in your system that were manufactured from 2005 through 2011, the thread specification, your contact information, and a shipping address. AMERICAN will supply a replacement kit for each nozzle needing replacement. To ensure an adequate supply of replacement nozzles are available, AMERICAN will initially ship one (1) nozzle per hydrant to account for those needing replacement and one (1) hose nozzle wrench per replacement crew. Of course, AMERICAN will ship additional nozzle kits if needed.

The cracking only occurs in hose nozzles made of a particular alloy. AMERICAN believes that this alloy is susceptible to cracking under certain circumstances. This alloy was only used by a single supplier during the 2005 through 2011 time period.

From 2005 through 2011, AMERICAN used more than one supplier for the hose nozzles in its American-Darling fire hydrants. Only one of the suppliers made hose nozzles with the alloy that may be susceptible to cracking. Our research shows that on average 50 percent of the nozzles that were supplied were made using this alloy.

The “L” and “S” referenced on the AMERICAN nozzles are used to identify a given supplier. Only nozzles with an “S” foundry mark are susceptible to cracking. The nozzles with an “L” mark were made from a different alloy and are not affected.

Until 2005, AMERICAN furnished an older set-screw style nozzle design known as the Amlok nozzle. There have been no reported cracks with the Amlok nozzle. Beginning in 2011, the supplier identified by the “S” foundry mark changed to a different alloy not susceptible to cracking. There have been no known cracks since that alloy change.

If you require the services of a contractor to inspect hydrants and replace affected nozzles, AMERICAN has retained contractors who can perform these services for you. Customer Service can provide the information necessary to obtain contractor hydrant remediation services. You may also contact your local AMERICAN sales representative for further information.

Yes, AMERICAN will reimburse customers $15 per hydrant for the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of affected hose nozzles. AMERICAN’s nozzle replacement procedure includes the requirements for obtaining reimbursement. These requirements include the return of any replaced nozzles and completion of nozzle replacement log sheets. Once the replacement nozzles and log sheets are received and all records are reconciled, reimbursement can be made.

It is important that you complete the inspection and replacement program as soon as possible. Presently, however, there is no deadline for ordering hose nozzle replacement kits.

If you have any other questions, please contact AMERICAN Customer Service at 800-326-7082, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, or email us at afcquestions@americanusa.com.