The proper location of the fire hydrants can have a positive impact on property fire insurance rates.
There are numerous challenges in administering a local water supply system to ensure adequate water supply and pressure for fire protection. Water storage capacity, system demand, supply interruption, number and performance of fire hydrants, use of non-potable water, and alternative water supply are some of the issues that confront both water utilities and fire departments.
To support efforts in this area, USFA worked in partnership with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Educational and Scientific Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to study and evaluate the latest trends and technologies related to municipal water supply systems and enhancing effective fire protection. Examined were interoperability and critical infrastructure protection, both key areas of interest within the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the issues of backup and redundant water supply systems for fire protection.
Two reports were developed to provide communities with comprehensive information on municipal water supply systems in support of fire suppression activities and concerns.
- Water Supply Systems Concepts (PDF, 2.6 Mb, Adobe Acrobat PDF Help) discusses fundamental considerations for water supply systems, processed water for domestic consumption, water quality standards, water distribution system design concepts, consumer consumption and needed fire flow, alterative water supplies, impacts of fire flow on distribution system water quality/design/operation, dual water systems, effective fire protection, and separate water systems/emergency supplies.
- Water Supply System Evaluation Methods (PDF, 5.5 Mb) covers the evaluation of municipal water supply systems, water system hydraulics, fire protection delivery capacity, storage capacity, evaluating the quality and delivery of systems, monitoring water supply consumption and security analysis, computer modeling, and establishing a community program to document effective water supplies for fire protection.
Key considerations presented in the reports that communities should be cognizant of include:
- The installation of automatic sprinkler systems is an excellent strategy to reduce any further impact on the community water system, to provide fire protection water, and possibly to reduce some of the large fire-flow rates that may exist.
- Fire districts or fire departments that are serious about establishing an alternative water delivery program need to appoint a Water Supply Officer to coordinate all activities associated with the delivery of water supplies to fire risks throughout the fire area, to augment any existing water supplies that have deficiencies in meeting needed fire flows, and to meet special emergency needs using alternative water supplies.
- In suburban and rural areas without water delivery from a municipal water system supplying fire hydrants, provisions need to be made by the jurisdictional fire department to transport water to structural fires and other fire emergencies using fire pumpers, pumper-tankers, and mobile water tankers. To meet the minimum specified flow of 250 gpm for 2 hours or a higher flow as determined by the needed fire flow for specific fire risks, water supply sources need to be provided throughout a fire protection district or Graded Area.
- It is essential that the planning of fire hydrant locations be a cooperative effort between the community water department, the fire department, the building and zoning department, and with the insurance carrier for large commercial and industrial complexes. The proper location of the fire hydrants definitely can have a positive impact on property fire insurance rates.
- Water supply for firefighting using firehose streams is not required to meet the same quality of water standards as drinking water. This understanding provides communities with several potential options for improving the water supply for fire protection without interacting with the domestic water system. One or more of these options may be more cost effective and more efficient than trying to upgrade the existing water system to supply both domestic water and water for fire protection.
- It is vital that municipal water systems be secured so that any interruption is minimized or eliminated. These conditions range from electrical power failures to pumping equipment to destructive interruptions from a terrorist attack.
We hope this information is of assistance to your community in meeting its fire protection needs and we welcome your comments.