Safety Notice - August 2006 (pdf)

Safety Notice - October 2007 (pdf)

Hydrant Upper Stem Replacement page

Clow Valve Company is informing all clients that Medallion and F2500 fire hydrants with cast years of 2002, 2003, and 2004 may require replacement of the upper stem. To facilitate the repairs, Clow Valve Company will provide a replacement kit free of charge and a labor allowance for each upper stem returned.

Clow has confirmed that from mid 2002 to mid 2004 a manufacturer-approved grease was used to lubricate the upper stem threads that causes corrosion of the thread material. There are many variables that determine when corrosion begins, but it is known that the corrosion will accelerate over time. If left unimpeded the corrosion could eventually result in a hard or, in extreme cases, impossible-to-operate hydrant. This potential threat to public safety is unacceptable for a Clow Valve Company product.

Clow is committed to replacing the upper stem of every hydrant that is affected by this issue. The Medallion hydrant can be identified by the presence of a starburst AWWA pattern. The F2500 model is easily recognizable by its shape. Cast years are located near the base of the nozzle section.

Medallion Fire Hydrant

F2500 Fire Hydrant

It should be noted that there is no imminent danger. Clow Valve Company expedited the examination of a nationwide sample of its hydrant stems with the assistance of a company that specializes in corrosion research and testing. Every hydrant included in the study was operable. Clow recommends replacing upper stems in conjunction with scheduled inspection and maintenance procedures as outlined in the American Water Works Association standards and Clow fire hydrant product catalogs.

Clow will provide, free of charge, an Upper Stem Replacement Kit that contains all necessary replacement parts as well as a Replacement Procedure Manual and utensils to remove the existing grease. In addition, Clow will offer a $40 labor allowance and cover shipping costs for every stem that is returned.

Clow Valve Company urges clients to discontinue using any grease that contains calcium acetate in all Clow Valve Company fire hydrants or any brand of fire hydrant, including grease formerly supplied by Clow Valve Company.  The grease came in white squeeze tubes with blue lettering printed directly on the tube. The label could say DIAMOND FM GREASE 2EP or CLOW MEDALLION LUBRICANT. Clow’s new grease is supplied in a squeeze tube with a label that says Petro Blend FG #2. Old tubes can be exchanged for new tubes free of charge, contact Clow Sales Department for details.

Clow Valve Company asks their employees to consider safety the #1 priority when assembling hydrants, we ask you to do the same during these repairs. Verify that the control valve is fully shut before replacing a stem. It is our goal to provide public safety the same commitment we do employee safety. With that goal in mind we move forward in this project to ensure that the dependability and performance of our product is not jeopardized.