EAST BAY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT

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OAKLAND, CA
Part 2

The original EBMUD design served the district well for over 20 years. In the mid 1960s EBMUD was modernizing its image and there was interest in producing a more modern, streamlined looking hydrant that was easier to maintain, had improved hydraulic efficiency and even greater traffic impact resistance. In 1964 EBMUD engineers produced a somewhat wedge shaped design where the gussets were an integral part of both the structural and aesthetic design. This concept produced a hydrant that was significantly stronger and moved water more efficiently. The design also allowed valve stem guides to be recessed into the body without compromising hydraulic efficiency. Recessing the guides further improved the hydrant's looks and reduced valve stem intrusion into sidewalks. Rope valve stem packings were replaced by maintenance free o-rings and the lubrication port was relocated to the end of the valve stem. A new cap was introduced which not only complimented the hydrant's streamlined design, but also improved impact deflection when the hydrant was struck, protecting the brass nozzles. The new hydrant was named the Model 64 after the year in which it was designed. It is considered by many to be the best engineered hydrant in the world and one is on display in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. The original Model 64 was a 2½" x 4½" hydrant and a 3" x 4½" model was produced for Oakland. Shortly afterward a Model 65 double 2½" (or double 3") hydrant was produced for applications where a large diameter pumper outlet was not desired. During the 1990s EBMUD experimented with less expensive "off the shelf" hydrants, however none were as reliable as their own design to which they have since gone back by way of the Rich Model 5, which is a generically produced version of the Model 64. For information on hydrants that predate the EBMUD specs Click Here

(Click pictures for closeups) 0517 Model 64 MOFD Hydrant Shop 0705 Model 65 0706 The EB "Bug"

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