An orifice shield for distributing water flowing from an orifice in a pipe
and preventing blockage of the orifice. The orifice shield includes a
housing including a cage, the cage being defined by a first plate joined
to a second plate via fins, the fins being joined via a plurality of
lateral members, the cage including a plurality of openings or slots
defined between the fins and the lateral members, the first plate
including a central shaft extending downwardly toward the second plate. A
freely rotating fan is mounted on the shaft. The fan is adapted to evenly
distribute the water flowing from the orifice via the openings or slots.
The housing may also be a box housing including a plurality of openings
or slots defined therein. The housing includes a first clamp and a second
clamp that are adapted to be removably secured to the pipe.