Water-Supply Survey

During the water-supply survey, an ISO field representative will interview the official responsible for the water department, water utility, or private water companies that supply the community. The representative will also:
  • review various documents and records
  • visit all pump facilities
  • determine needed fire flows
  • usually witness hydrant flow tests
  • examine representative hydrants

Here's what you can expect:

Interview
The ISO field representative will review details and records of all water-supply facilities and operations. The representative will examine a current water utility map to identify the locations of:

  • new supply or storage facilities
  • mains
  • pressure zones
  • closed or check valves
  • hydrants
  • new streets

Pump facilities
The ISO field representative will visit all pump facilities to examine the water pumping equipment and the power supplies.

Needed fire flow requirements
ISO will select buildings of various sizes and hazard classifications throughout the community. We will develop needed fire flows for those buildings and use the information to assess water availability and delivery for your community.

ISO has prepared a guide to estimating needed fire flow. The publication is only a guide and requires knowledge and experience in fire-protection engineering for its effective application. You can download a copy of the Guide for Determination of Needed Fire Flow.

Hydrant flow tests
To determine the adequacy of the water-supply, ISO normally witnesses hydrant flow tests at selected locations. ISO will select the locations considering:

  • geographic layout of the community
  • topographical differences (elevation changes)
  • the range of needed fire flows for the buildings in the community

Hydrants
The ISO field representative will evaluate the condition of each hydrant used during the flow testing.

Next: After the Survey

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.

Looking for something else? Try one of these sites for:

» Fire Chiefs
» Government Officials
» Insurers

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Building Code Effectiveness

Building Code Effectiveness
Grading Schedule »

ISO has embarked on a project to review and update the criteria for the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS®). We are soliciting your feedback to help us develop modifications and additions. Learn more.