How to Do a Fire Flow Test

When you find yourself in an emergency and need the help of a fire hydrant, you don’t want to find out your hydrant isn’t ready in the heat of the moment. That’s why fire flow testing is an essential task that can protect a community and save lives in the process. However, not all fire departments know how to conduct a proper fire flow test, which should be addressed.

To ensure the well-being of your community’s fire hydrants, take a moment to review a few steps that will help you carry out a fire flow test the right way.

Contain the Pressure

The biggest thing you’ll want to take a look at during a fire flow test is the pressure. To ensure you collect enough data and gain a complete picture, you’ll want to be able to adjust the pressure to different levels. There are many ways to shift the pressure in hydrants, but an easy way is to employ pitotless diffusers. By applying these diffusers of different sizes, you can create drops in pressure and collect a wide range of data.

Expect the Unexpected

Sometimes a fire flow test can expose other issues with hydrants that need to be taken care of. For example, if you need to observe the amount of friction water is facing in a hydrant, then C-factor testing is required. The water may also need a good clean, which calls for the technique of unidirectional flushing. You never know when more problems could come up, so come prepared with the tools to fix unexpected issues.

Track the Data

You may have guessed this, but your tests are meaningless if you can’t collect enough data to spot trends. Of course, you can’t be everywhere at once, so you’ll need an extra hand. Take advantage of software to gather and organize your data, so viewing patterns becomes easier than ever. Work smart, not hard, and you’ll reap the rewards of your efforts with a full set of data to learn from.

Emphasize the importance of fire flow tests, so your community can stay safe in the future.