What is the minimum connection size from the hydrant to the main?

The minimum connection size from the hydrant to the main is typically established to ensure that the hydrant can provide sufficient water flow for firefighting purposes. According to NFPA 24, the standard sets a requirement for the size of the connection to accommodate the expected fire flow rates while maintaining adequate pressure and volume.

A 6-inch connection is generally considered sufficient to allow emergency services to connect their equipment and achieve an effective water supply for combating fires. This size is a common standard, as it balances the need for sufficient flow without unnecessarily increasing costs or complexity in the installation.

In contrast, smaller connection sizes, such as 4 inches, would not provide adequate flow rates for many situations, while larger sizes such as 8 inches or 10 inches may be more than necessary for typical installations, potentially leading to higher initial costs and more extensive installation requirements.