A specific type of fire hydrant had started to show a corrosion issue on its locking pin and screw, which, in some cases, could cause the hydrant to uncouple during operation. This presented a serious health and safety risk, with incidents reported and formal investigations initiated by the Health and Safety Executive.

R2M worked closely with Anglian Water to develop a practical solution. The initial design addressed part of the problem, but through collaboration and iterative refinement, a subsequent design was produced that fully secured the at-risk components of the hydrant.

The Haldi Clamp prototypes were trialled internally on Anglian Water’s demonstration rig and subjected to destructive testing. The device met all operational requirements and proved to be quick and easy to install, without the need to excavate or shut down the pipe to remove and replace the hydrant.

Since its launch, the Haldi Clamp has been installed in over 12,000 hydrants across the UK over an eight-year period, preventing shutdowns and improving operational safety. Its success with Anglian Water has prompted many other water companies to adopt the solution, making it a trusted standard across the industry.

This project highlights R2M’s approach to innovation: identifying real-world operational risks, collaborating with customers, and delivering practical, field-ready solutions that improve safety and efficiency.