The central tool assists in determining the available water volume and pressure from a fire hydrant for firefighting purposes. This instrument analyzes data collected during a flow test, employing specific formulas to estimate the water supply capability at a given location. Input parameters typically include static pressure, residual pressure, flow rate, and hydrant coefficients. The result is a calculation indicating the water available for fire suppression, expressed in gallons per minute (GPM) at a specified pressure. An example scenario involves measuring the pressure at a hydrant before and during water discharge from another hydrant, allowing for the determination of the flow capacity.
Accurate assessment of water supply is critical for effective fire protection. It ensures that adequate resources are available to combat fires effectively. This evaluation is fundamental for fire departments and water utilities, aiding in infrastructure planning, fire suppression strategy development, and code compliance. Historically, manual calculations were employed, but modern tools significantly reduce computation time and potential errors, enhancing the reliability of the data obtained. Precise assessments of water availability are necessary for insurance risk assessments and overall public safety.
