Fire Flow Test
A fire hydrant flow test provides pressure and flow data at specific fire hydrants within the District’s distribution system. The data can be used to assess the pressure and flow available for fire protection, sprinkler system design, mainline design, and proper sizing of domestic and/or fire service lines.
The District conducts fire hydrant flow tests either in the field or via a hydraulic model. If conducted in the field, the fire hydrant flow test requires testing three fire hydrants: (1) Flowing & (2) Residual. The first hydrant is the flow hydrant, which is located closest to the property being tested. The second and third are the test (residual) hydrants and are located directly upstream or downstream from the flow hydrant. If conducted in the hydraulic model, the District will simulate conditions on the desktop to produce the same results.
Flow Chart
Submission
- Fill out the OCFA Water Availability Form
- Provide the $300 Fire Flow Test Fee.
- Submit to the Engineering Dept by mail or to
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Review and Scheduling
- ETWD Engineering Department will review your request
- Processing may take 5 10 business days from receipt of payment.
- Submit to the Engineering Dept by mail or to
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Completion
- ETWD will fill out the OCFA Water Availability Form to the email stated in the original email/letter
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- A fire flow test is performed on three public hydrants two hydrants act as residuals, and the third acts as the flow hydrant.
- A fire flow test can also be performed via hydraulic model.
- Engineering firms that design water systems for new development.
- Firms that design fire protection systems for buildings, both internal and external.
- Firms that design landscape irrigation systems.
No, public tests are tests which are conducted using hydrants located within the public right-of-way. Only ETWD personnel may conduct public tests.
No, only public hydrants will have fire flow tests performed by ETWD staff.
ETWD selects the public fire hydrants near you based on your address.
Five to ten (5-10) business days is the standard time frame if using the hydraulic model. However, field performing the tests can take fifteen to twenty (15-20) business days. ETWD Engineering will fill out the bottom portion of the OCFA Water Availability form and email it to email address provided.
No, the rate of flow is determined by numerous water distribution variables, which cannot be changed.
Please contact
If you should have any questions please feel free to contact the Engineering Department at