How Often Should You Schedule Fire Hydrant Water Flow Tests?

Keeping your property safe is more than just having a fire alarm and a few extinguishers. Fire hydrant water flow tests play a vital role in ensuring your building’s fire protection systems will work when it matters most. At Allstate Fire Technologies in Newark, NJ, we know firsthand how important proper hydrant flow testing is for staying compliant with regulations and, more importantly, keeping lives and property safe. If you're a property manager or commercial building owner, here's what you need to know about how often you should schedule these tests and why they matter.

What Is a Fire Hydrant Water Flow Test, and Why Is It Important?

A fire hydrant flow test checks how much water a hydrant can deliver and at what pressure. This test confirms whether the hydrant is ready to supply the volume of water firefighters would need in an emergency. It also provides critical data used in designing, calibrating, and verifying the performance of fire sprinkler systems.

Skipping these tests can leave you blind to low water pressure, mechanical damage, sediment buildup, or blockages—issues that can delay fire response efforts and put your building and the people inside it at serious risk.

How Often Should You Schedule Hydrant Flow Tests?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that fire hydrant water flow tests be conducted at least once every five years. However, depending on your municipality, property type, and occupancy level, you may be required to test every 12 to 36 months. In Newark, NJ, fire officials often suggest more frequent testing to ensure hydrants remain in working order due to aging infrastructure and seasonal weather effects.

Situations That May Require More Frequent Testing

• Your building recently underwent renovations or added new systems.

• You’ve had water pressure complaints or inconsistencies.

• It’s been over two years since your last test.

• You manage a hospital, school, or high-occupancy building.

• Your insurance provider or local ordinance requires updated reports.

Testing more frequently gives you peace of mind and may prevent violations, costly repairs, or even tragedy during a fire emergency.

What Happens During a Hydrant Flow Test?

At Allstate Fire Technologies, we follow a consistent and thorough process to ensure your test meets compliance standards:

• Visual Inspection: We check the hydrant’s condition, looking for leaks, corrosion, or signs of damage.

• Pressure Setup: Special gauges are installed to measure both static pressure (when no water is flowing) and residual pressure (while flowing).

• Water Flowing: The hydrant is opened, allowing water to flow at full capacity. We calculate gallons per minute (GPM) and record the pressure drop.

• Data Review: Our certified team evaluates the results and identifies if your system meets NFPA and local code standards.

• Report Delivery: You receive a clear, detailed report that you can keep on file or share with local fire departments or insurers.

This process is quick and efficient and causes minimal disruption to your property or operations.