Santa Fe County Fire Department

Fire Chief's Directives

Division: 300
Article:
Page: 1 of 11
Effective Date:
Revised Date:
Fire Chief:

Purpose: The purpose of this directive is to formalize policy and procedures for conducting
annual fire hydrant flow testing for the County of Santa Fe. This testing is necessary to determine
the quantity of water available for fire protection and includes the actual measurement of static
pressure, residual pressures, and flow rate from hydrants.
Fire flow tests determine the rate of water flow available for firefighting at various locations
within the distribution system by measuring the flow from hydrants and recording the pressures
corresponding to the flow, the number of gallons available at any pressure, or the pressure
available at any flow, which is determined through calculations. In addition, this procedure
provides SCFFD personnel an opportunity to identify any and all deficiencies related to fire
hydrants within our jurisdiction and a procedure by which to report these deficiencies to the
proper agency for repairs.
Policy:
a.

Fire hydrant flow testing will be conducted annually by Regional personnel. Testing shall
begin in the spring and conclude by the end of summer.

b.

The overall management of the hydrant-testing program is the responsibility of the Fire
Prevention Division.

c.

The Fire Prevention Division shall insure that maps and proper equipment are available
to Operations personnel when assignments are given to each station.

d.

A review of the procedures to be utilized when conducting hydrant testing shall be

e.

Fire hydrant flow test records shall be submitted to the Fire Prevention Division as soon
as possible when testing is completed by each region.

f.

All fire hydrant testing equipment (diffuser, static caps, maps and marking materials) shall
be returned to the Fire Prevention Division upon completion of all testing.

g.

Fire hydrant testing shall be in accordance with the International Fire Service Training
Association (IFSTA) Manual, Chapter Four, Water Supplies for Fire Protection (Fourth
Edition).

Division: 300
Article: 2
Page: 2 of 11

Procedures:
Fire hydrant testing procedures shall include the following:
a.

When flowing hydrants consideration should be given to potential interference from

b.

Prior to testing on private property, notification must be made to the owner/manager.

c.

Prior to testing in the Santa Fe city area, notify County Utilities at 986-6210 during the
week between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

d.

Prior to conducting hydrant testing, locate and identify the static cap with gauge, water
diffuser assembly with gauge, hydrant wrench, maps, hydrant flow test record sheets and
the Hydrant Maintenance Request Forms.

e.

When on scene refer to district map.

f.

1.

Locate the pressure hydrant. Static and residual

2.

Locate the flow hydrant. This will provide the

Procedures for conducting available water testing:

Personnel shall be positioned at both the pressure hydrant and the flow
hydrant to be tested.

2.

Personnel at pressure hydrant should remove the hydrant cap then open the
hydrant fully to determine whether the hydrant is operational. Any deficiencies
shall be identified and the hydrant completely closed. Attach the static cap
with gauge to the hydrant. Open the hydrant fully. The static pressure will
be indicated on the gauge. Record the static pressure on the Hydrant Test Record.

3.

Personnel at the flow hydrant shall remove the hydrant cap, place the diffuser on the
hydrant and open fully. Record the flow rate reading and the psi reading on the
Flow Test Record Sheet.

4.

While the flow hydrant is fully open, the person at the pressure hydrant
takes another reading from the static cap (the residual pressure) and records this
reading on the Flow Test Record Sheet.

5.

When readings have been recorded close both the pressure and flow hydrants

Division: 300
Article: 2
Page: 3 of 11

and remove static cap and diffuser. Place caps back on the hydrants and allow the
hydrant to drain properly. REMEMBER: Open and close hydrants slowly to
prevent water hammer or system damage.
6.

Once flow has been established, the hydrant shall be color-coded as follows:
Class AA (>1500gpm) light blue
Class A (1499gpm-1000gpm) green
Class B (999gpm-500gpm) orange
Class C (<500 gpm) red
In areas bordering the City of Santa Fe, hydrants with Santa Fe threads shall have the
Steamer port cap painted black.
The barrels of all pressurized hydrants shall be painted yellow, while unpressurized
(draft or gravity fed) hydrant barrels shall be painted red.

7.

The exact location of the tested hydrant shall be documented on the record and
District map.

8.

Damaged and/or out of service hydrants as well as hydrants that flow below 500 gpm
shall be reported immediately to the Fire Prevention Division and the District Chief.

9.

When fire hydrant testing is completed within the assigned region submit
all completed hydrant flow test records to the Fire Prevention Division.

10. When all hydrant test flow information has been submitted to the Prevention
Division, the readings shall be entered into the FireHouse Hydrant Program,
i.e., static, residual, flow rate (psi). The water available at 20 psi shall be
calculated and recorded on the proper form.
g.

Recording information on Fire Hydrant Flow Test Record Sheet.

Record pressure hydrant information first to include the hydrant number, hydrant
make, the year manufactured and the location (i.e., closest building or address of
nearest residence). Second, record the static and residual pressures and the overall
condition of the hydrant.

2.

Record flow hydrant information, using the same steps as outlined in Number 2,
above.

3.

Record flushing hydrant information next, to include hydrant number and overall
condition of the hydrant.

4.

In the space provided, record the number of turns it takes to fully open all hydrants.

5.

In the Comments Section, record all pertinent information related to the condition of
the hydrants.

Division: 300
Article: 2
Page: 4 of 11

h.

Recording information on Hydrant Maintenance Form.

Item A - Enter the date, station/shift and the name of the individual recording the
information, site or nearest building and hydrant number.
Item B - Identify any obstructions or impairments to the hydrant.
Item D - Identify any hydrant deficiencies.
Item E - If a hydrant is found to be completely out- of-service, meaning no water flows or
you cannot open the hydrant, place an Out-of-Service donut on the hydrant and report
the condition to the Fire Prevention Division.

i.

6.

Record appropriate information in the Comments section.

7.

All Hydrant Maintenance Forms must be returned to

8.

It is important that the Prevention Division receive Maintenance Request Forms as

Safety precautions to consider during flow testing.

Proper personal protective equipment must be utilized (helmet, vest, gloves, eye
protection).

2.

Certain precautions must be observed during and after conducting hydrant flow
tests in order to avoid injuries to those participating in the testing or to passersby.
Efforts must also be made to minimize damage to property from the flowing stream.
Both pedestrian and automobile traffic must be controlled during all phases of the
testing. Other safety measures include:
a. Tighten caps on hydrant outlets when not in use.
b. Stand away from closed caps.
c. Never lean over the top of the hydrant when in operation.
Property damage control measures include opening and closing hydrants slowly to
avoid water hammer. Check downstream to see where water will flow, since flowing
water across a busy street could cause an accident. It is imperative that proper
measures be taken beforehand to slow or stop traffic.

IF PROBLEMS EXIST IN COMPLETING A FLOW TEST, THOUGHT MUST BE GIVEN TO

Division: 300
Article: 2
Page: 5 of 11

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COMM
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10. Bolts
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12. Needs
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13. Other