Just read an article about the San Francisco Fire Dept and SF's use of non-standard-sized hydrant fittings in this article . SF uses 3-inch fittings instead of the typical 2 1/2 inch ones so fire companies responding from outside the city, for example, after a major earthquake, would need adapters.

It's an informative article. Although I was born and raised in SF, I never knew that SF had a special, one-of-a-kind high-pressure hydrant system in parts of the city. Cool! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Or that "our" hydrant fittings don't match anyone else. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

OK, ETSers, who would buy an adapter and keep it in their garage to make sure that any fire engine responding near your home would be able to hook up to the nearest hydrant in the event of a fire at your home? I mean this question mostly in jest, but then again, it does make you think. My parents still live in SF.