HOSE MOSNTER
NFPA 291
Recommended Practice for Fire Flow
Te s t i n g a n d M a r k i n g o f H y d r a n t s
HOSE MOSNTER
To d a y ’s P u r p o s e
Thank you for the opportunity to present our case for
modifying NFPA 291 recommendations related to the
flow testing of hydrants.
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Scope, Purpose, Application
The Scope, Purpose and Application of NFPA 291 is flow
testing and marking of hydrants. To determine rate of
flow at various locations for fire-fighting purposes and to
indicate deficiencies, such as tuberculation and closed
valves.
HOSE MOSNTER
Members of the fire service,
waterworks and fire sprinkler
contractors look to this document
for guidance.
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T h e r e ’s m o r e t h a n o n e w a y t o e v a l u a t e a w a t e r s u p p l y
Main Capacity Flow Test
Hydrant Capacity Flow Test
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To d a y
Static-Residua/Test Hydrant
Presently NFPA 291 recommends the
Main Capacity Flow Test utilizing a test
Flow-rate
hydrant and one or more flow hydrants to measurement
identify the water supply available in the
underground main closest to the test
Flow Hydrant Evaluates flow
hydrant. available at this
point in the system
M a i n C a p a c i t y F l o w Te s t
However
The main capacity flow test is important for fire • Does not hydraulically include the piping between the main and
sprinkler engineers as a starting point to begin the hydrant, where the fire department will connect
designing water-based fire protection systems • Water supply value is overstated by the friction loss between the
and for measuring friction loss in piping leading main and the hydrant cap, where the fire department connects
to the most remote sprinkler head. • Does not verify the functionality of the Test Hydrant. The only use
of this Hydrant is to measure static and residual pressures. The
Test Hydrant in this test never flows water.
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Static-Residua/Test Hydrant
If a gauge were to be
installed here and used as
the Static/Residual Gauge,
the readings and predicted
flow would be the same.
Flow-rate
measurement
Evaluates water
available at this
point in the system
This gauge port could be
classified with a flow
capacity.
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The Solution
When firefighters respond to an alarm, they expect the hydrants to
work. How can it be known that a hydrant will open when needed
and has the flow-rate capacity needed to fight a fire? The answer is
to evaluate the water supply at the hydrant nozzle where the fire
department is going to connect.
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H y d r a n t C a p a c i t y F l o w Te s t
There is a simple flow test that accurately
evaluates the water supply available
through the hydrant. The hydrant
capacity fire flow test (single hydrant flow
test) automatically measures the friction
loss and identifies inoperative hydrants
and other deficiencies.
We propose language that identifies the
Main Capacity Flow Test and Hydrant
Capacity Flow Test; and a procedure for
performing the Hydrant Capacity test.
HOSE MOSNTER
Static-Residua/Test Hydrant
H y d r a n t C a p a c i t y F i r e F l o w Te s t
Flow-rate
measurement
Static Residual
Gauge
Evaluates water
available at this
point in the system
Test Hydrant
and Flow
Hydrant are
the same.
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T h e Te s t s
Both tests are valuable, and correct or incorrect
depending on the purpose of the test. If a fire
Hydrant Capacity Test Fire Main Capacity Test
sprinkler contractor needs the capacity of the Number of Hydrants 1 2 or more
water supply to design a sprinkler system, then Water Flow Capacity is predicted for Test Hydrant Underground main
Verifies Mechanical Operation of Yes No, only the flow hydrant
the Fire Main Capacity Flow Test is the correct Test Hydrant
Verifies the operation of the valves Yes No, only the flow hydrant
test. If a firefighter needs to know that a hydrant
and piping that provide water to the
works and the capacity of that fire hydrant, then Test Hydrant
the Hydrant Capacity Fire Flow Test is correct.
The test needs to be properly matched with the
information desired.
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Other Benefit
• Because it simple and requires fewer man-hour resources, it will
be more likely to be done.
• Deficient hydrants will be found so they can be repaired.
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Conclude
In summary, the goal of NFPA 291 is to provide guidance for those
whose job it is to determine available water supply and to identify
deficiencies. The Hydrant Capacity flow test would be a valuable
addition to the Fire Main Capacity Test in accomplishing this mission.
NFPA 291 should be modified to define and include both procedures
and their respective applications
THANK YOU!
www.HoseMonster.com
HOSE MOSNTER
The Problem
It is not uncommon for a fire department
to respond to a fire with millions of dollars
of apparatus and ready and able
firefighters only to find that the hydrant
doesn’t work. The result being loss of life
and property.
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• Hydrant components fuse
together from non-use
• Hydrant stems break
• Hydrants are vandalized
• Maintenance closes valves
but fails to reopen them
How does this happen?
• Piping system
tuberculated
• Frozen water in the
hydrant barrel
