Summary: The triple tap hydrant configuration allows fire departments to maximize water flow from a single hydrant using minimal equipment. By combining a four-way hydrant valve (Oasis) and a gate valve on the side port, crews can establish three simultaneous supply lines to a pumper—delivering superior fireground flow without overwhelming available gear. This setup boosts intake volume, distributes pressure more evenly, and adapts well even when hydrant gate valves are limited.
How to Maximize Hydrant Flow with a Triple Tap Configuration
Getting the most out of a hydrant doesn’t always mean bringing in a trailer full of gear. Sometimes, it just means setting up smart. That’s the core of the triple tap tactic—a maneuver that gets three large-diameter supply lines off a single hydrant using just a four-way hydrant valve and a single gate valve.
Why the Triple Tap Tactic Matters
For departments facing big water demands or limited equipment, this approach punches above its weight. By using all three hydrant ports—two via the four-way valve and one with a side gate valve—you’re giving your pumper the best shot at peak performance. That means better flow, less friction loss, and fewer bottlenecks.
The Core Setup: Four-Way Valve Plus Gate Valve
The key players here are:
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Four-Way Oasis Hydrant Assist Valve – Connects to the steamer port and manages two supply lines.
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Hydrant Gate Valve – Goes on one of the 2.5” side ports to support a third line.
This setup assumes the pumper has at least three large intakes—side, front, rear, wherever. If the rig’s got more intakes, you could even push into quadruple tap territory, but this video focuses on getting the job done with minimal extras.
Step-by-Step: Building the Triple Tap
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Four-Way on the Steamer: This gets you two working connections right off the bat—your primary LDH and a second line from the relay pumper inlet.
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Gate Valve on the Side Port: A proactive pump operator slaps a gate valve on one of the side 2.5" ports. That opens the door for a third LDH to connect and feed a different intake.
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Connect All Three Lines to the Pumper: Whether it's a side, rear, or front intake, the key is routing each line cleanly and avoiding hose kinks.
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Adjust for Flow: Once all lines are live, monitor intake pressures and fine-tune for balanced flow.
Common Mistakes to Dodge
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Skipping the Gate Valve: That third port’s no good without it.
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Hooking Everything Up at Once: Build it step-by-step to avoid pressure issues.
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Ignoring Hose Layouts: Minimize friction by keeping lines straight and smooth.
When Less Gear Does More
This isn’t just a workaround—it’s a strategy. The triple tap lets you make the most of the hydrant in front of you, especially if your department doesn’t have extra valves lying around. With just two core components, you’re getting close to max hydrant output and setting the stage for better suppression flow right from the start.
For a deeper dive or to watch the full setup in action, check out Episode 5 of the Hydrant Water Supply series with Andy Soccodato and The Water Thieves.
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