11 Practical Applications of Portable Standpipes in Various Industries

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Standpipes are vertical pipes installed in structures to serve a purpose similar to that of a fire hydrant. Like fire hydrants, standpipes feature hose attachments and are usually connected to a pump or a ready source of water. However, they aren’t strictly just for firefighting. A standpipe can also be used in many situations where one needs to rapidly transfer water or other fluids from one place to another. Portable standpipes, in particular, are used in a remarkably wide variety of water management applications.

In Australia, portable standpipes have become essential for many key industries and applications, especially in remote work sites where conventional permanent emplacements are not feasible or practical. Let’s look at some of the places you’re most likely to see portable standpipes being used:

Mining Industry

Portable standpipes are a common feature of Australia’s many remote mining sites, where they are used for dust suppression, equipment cleaning, and a wide variety of other large-volume water management needs. The portability factor is particularly valuable for this industry given the remoteness of many work sites and the impracticality of permanent infrastructure in many mining contexts.

Construction Industry 

Portable standpipes find many uses in both urban and rural construction sites where they provide a convenient solution for dust suppression, concrete curing, and general site cleaning. Because of their portability, they can be positioned wherever they might be needed and may sometimes be the only practical option for water management in certain situations.

Agriculture

Australian farms are another major user of portable standpipes, using them primarily for irrigation. Compared to permanent standpipes, portable models tend to be more suited for agricultural applications, particularly for delivering water to crops in remote fields. A portable standpipe can also be used for specifically for washing, cooling systems (e.g., misters or sprinklers), and emergency water supply.

Emergency Services

Emergency service providers such as ambulance stations and disaster response teams rely on portable standpipes for critical emergencies that occur away from prepared water sources. When paired with pumps, portable standpipes provide crews with the capability to perform vital activities such as firefighting and site decontamination. Humanitarian and disaster response teams also use portable standpipes to provide a stable water supply during crises.

Oil and Gas Sector

Australia’s oil and gas industries make extensive use of portable standpipes for controlling fires and managing spills, as well as for moving petroleum and natural gas products. The mobility and flexibility of portable standpipes allow workers to quickly repurpose them for countless applications within oil and gas facilities.

Shipping and Maritime Industries

As one might expect, ships and dockyards feature permanent standpipes in strategic locations. However, fires do not always occur within easy distance of these emplacements. As such, well-prepared ship and dock crews will have access to portable standpipes as essential firefighting equipment. In addition, portable standpipes are also commonly used to transfer liquid bulk cargo from container ships to trucks and dockyard facilities.

Events and Festivals

Portable standpipes are often used by event organisers to ensure water access at distant festival sites and temporary gatherings. With portable standpipes, providing sufficient water for drinking, sanitation, and firefighting at these venues can be made significantly more feasible.

Local Governments

Local government authorities and community managers employ portable standpipes for various purposes outside of emergency response, including street cleaning and park maintenance. Installing permanent standpipes and hydrants isn’t always practical, so having suitable portable devices on hand provides a cost-effective solution for temporary water supply needs.

Forestry and Bushfire Management

Together with pumps, portable standpipes are essential tools in bushfire management. As firefighters operating in the bush seldom have ready access to water mains, the mobility of and ease of deployment of portable standpipes are critical for enabling firefighters to contain dangerous fires in the vast Australian bush.

Military Applications

Military units occasionally utilise portable standpipes for water supply during field operations and training exercises. These devices are used for everything from moving water on training courses to providing field troops with a reliable source of water for sanitation and emergency purposes.

Entertainment Industry

Lastly, portable standpipes are used throughout the entertainment industry, particularly in film and television production. Special effects involving water such as rain scenes or water-based stunts often make use of portable standpipes. They’re also commonly used for location shoots so that cast and crews have ready access to water.

Discover How Portable Standpipes Can Benefit Your Industry

Aside from the applications described above, portable standpipes can of course be used in any situation where you might need to safely move large volumes of liquid. Unlike permanent fixtures, portable standpipes provide much-needed flexibility for a host of operations wherever you might need them. So long as you select the model that’s rated for the level of performance you need, portable standpipes options should still last the whole life cycle of a given project, offering efficient resource management and emergency preparedness.

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