Method and apparatus for water surge protection and protection of fire hydrant systems

A method for protecting an underground liquid supply system from liquid surge damage using a pressurizeable reservoir, said underground liquid supply having a supply pipe and an above ground outlet for dispensing liquid carried by said supply pipe, and a valve for closing or opening the flow of liquid through said outlet, said method comprising:

• A. excavating an area upstream of and proximate to said valve along the path of flow of said liquid through said supply pipe;
• B. tapping said supply pipe in the excavated area to provide a branch opening in said supply pipe;
• C. installing the pressurizeable reservoir for its communicating with said branch opening for receiving an increase in liquid during liquid surges in the liquid supply system;
• and
• D. burying with soil said excavated area.

Water surge protection system including apparatus adapted for installation below ground in an existing water supply system to protect the system from water surge damage, said system comprising:

• A. an underground supply pipe having an outlet;
• B. an underground shut-off valve assembly having an inlet connected to said supply pipe outlet and having an outlet;
• c. access means for providing access from above ground to said underground shut-off valve assembly for permitting said underground shut-off valve assembly to be turned off from above ground;
• D. a hydrant valve assembly having an inlet and an outlet located above ground, said underground shut-off valve assembly being operable independently of said hydrant valve to stop the flow of water through said hydrant valve;
• E. a tap providing a branch opening located between said shut off valve assembly and said hydrant valve assembly;
• and
• F. a fluid reservoir communicating with said branch opening without any restriction or valve controlling access to said branch opening, said reservoir providing an enclosed air tight chamber of a predetermined volume for receiving water from said branch opening during water surges, said reservoir being at least partially filled with a compressible gas, said gas compressing within said chamber during water surfaces in the system.

An underground water distribution system which is protected from water surge damage, said system comprising a network of distribution piping having an inlet and multiple outlets, wherein at least one of said outlets includes:

• A. an underground shut-off valve having an inlet and an outlet;
• B. access means for providing access from above ground to said underground shut-off valve for permitting said underground shut-off valve to be turned off from above ground;
• C. tap means having an inlet, an outlet, and a branch opening, said inlet of said tap means connected to said outlet of said shut-off valve;
• D. a fluid reservoir communicating with said branch opening without any restriction or valve controlling access to said branch opening;
• and
• E. a hydrant valve having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said hydrant valve connected to said outlet of said tap means, said underground shut-off valve assembly being operable independently of said hydrant valve to stop the flow of water through said hydrant valve;
• wherein said shut-off valve, said tap means, and said hydrant valve are connected in series in the stated order, and are buried below ground.