Fire Hydrant Flow Testing and Maintenance Checklist

This comprehensive fire hydrant flow testing and maintenance checklist ensures regulatory compliance with NFPA 291, AWWA, ISO, State Fire Marshal. Annual fire hydrant flow testing and inspection checklist covering hydrant condition, flushing, flow testing, color coding, and GIS data accuracy per NFPA 291 Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants and AWWA M17 manual. Accurate hydrant data is essential for fire ground water supply planning. Complete all sections to maintai

  • Industry: Emergency Services
  • Frequency: Per Shift / Daily
  • Estimated Time: 20 minutes
  • Role: Station Captain / Shift Commander / EMS Lead
  • Total Items: 15
  • Compliance: NFPA 291, AWWA, ISO, State Fire Marshal

Hydrant Physical Inspection

Inspect hydrant condition per NFPA 291 and AWWA M17.

  • Is hydrant free of physical damage, breakaway damage, vehicle impact, or vandalism?
  • Are all outlet caps present and securely in place?
  • Is 3-foot clearance maintained around hydrant with no obstructions blocking fire department access?
  • Is hydrant visible from street with reflective pavement marker present per local standard?
  • Does operating nut turn freely without binding and is correct pentagon wrench size?
  • After flushing, does hydrant drain completely within reasonable time (no standing water)?

Hydrant Flow Testing

Conduct flow test per NFPA 291 methodology.

  • Is static pressure recorded at test hydrant with pitot gauge before flowing?
  • Is residual pressure recorded at test hydrant while flowing from nearest hydrant?
  • Is measured flow rate calculated from pitot pressure at flowing hydrant outlet?
  • Is available flow at 20 psi residual calculated and compared to required fire flow for that area?
  • Is flow test data entered into GIS or water system database within 30 days of testing?

Hydrant Color Coding and Marking

Verify color coding per NFPA 291.

  • Is hydrant barrel/bonnet painted to indicate water system ownership per NFPA 291 or local standard?
  • Are caps/tops color coded per NFPA 291 flow classification: Class AA (blue, 1500+ GPM), A (green, 1000+), B (orange, 500+), C (red, <500)?
  • Is hydrant color coding current reflecting most recent flow test results?
  • Is outlet threading type (NST, NPSH, or local) noted in GIS for correct adapter selection?

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Why Use This Fire Hydrant Flow Testing and Maintenance Checklist?

This fire hydrant flow testing and maintenance checklist helps emergency services teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for station captain / shift commander / ems lead professionals, this checklist covers 15 critical inspection points across 3 sections. Recommended frequency: per shift / daily.

Ensures compliance with NFPA 291, AWWA, ISO, State Fire Marshal. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Fire Hydrant Flow Testing and Maintenance Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 15 inspection items across 3 sections: Hydrant Physical Inspection, Hydrant Flow Testing, Hydrant Color Coding and Marking. It is designed for emergency services operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per shift / daily. Each completion takes approximately 20 minutes.

Who should use this Fire Hydrant Flow Testing and Maintenance Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Station Captain / Shift Commander / EMS Lead professionals in the emergency services industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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