FSRS Overview

The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) is a manual containing the criteria ISO uses in reviewing the firefighting capabilities of individual communities. The schedule measures the major elements of a community's fire-suppression system and develops a numerical grading called a Public Protection Classification (PPCTM).

The FSRS incorporates nationally accepted standards developed by such organizations as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). When those organizations update their standards, the ISO evaluation changes as well. So, the PPC program always provides a useful benchmark that helps fire departments and other public officials measure the effectiveness of their efforts — and plan for improvements.

How the FSRS works
The FSRS lists a large number of items (facilities and practices) a community should have to fight fires effectively. The Schedule assigns credit points for each item. Using those credit points and various formulas, ISO calculates a total score on a scale of 0 to 100.

To receive certain PPC ratings, a community must meet minimum criteria. After a community meets those criteria, the PPC rating depends on the community's score on the 100-point scale. For more information, see:

• Minimum facilities and practices to get a PPC rating
• Minimum criteria for Class 9
• Minimum criteria for Class 8B
• Minimum criteria for Class 8 or better
• Scores and PPC ratings
• Relative-value tables

The FSRS considers three main areas of a community's fire-protection program:

Fire alarms
Ten percent of a community's overall score is based on how well the fire department receives and dispatches fire alarms. Our field representatives evaluate:

• the communications center, including the number of operators at the center
• the telephone service, including the number of telephone lines coming into the center
• the listing of emergency numbers in the telephone book
• the dispatch circuits and how the center notifies firefighters about the location of the emergency

Fire department
Fifty percent of the overall score is based on the fire department. ISO reviews the distribution of fire companies throughout the area and checks that the fire department tests its pumps regularly and inventories each engine company's nozzles, hoses, breathing apparatus, and other equipment. ISO also reviews the fire-company records to determine things such as:

• type and extent of training provided to fire company personnel
• number of people who participate in training
• firefighter response to emergencies
• maintenance and testing of the fire department's equipment

Water supply
Forty percent of the overall score is based on the community's water supply. This part of the survey focuses on whether the community has sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond daily maximum consumption. ISO surveys all components of the water-supply system, including pumps, storage, and filtration. We observe fire-flow tests at representative locations in the community to determine the rate of flow the water mains provide. We also review the condition and maintenance of fire hydrants. Last, we count the distribution of fire hydrants no more than 1,000 feet from the representative locations.

For more details, see Items Considered in the FSRS.

For more information . . .
. . . on any topic related to the PPC program or the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, click Talk to ISO Mitigation, or call the ISO mitigation specialists at 1-800-444-4554.