SFE technicians possess extensive experience and expertise in all facets of water system flow testing.

Typical flow testing programs may utilize equipment such as fire hydrant pressure loggers, pitot gauges, transit time meters, and insertion mag meters. These tests are used to verify flow rates and pressures, evaluate response to demand, and assess zone pressure and PRV performance under various scenarios.

Our fire flow testing services include standard NFPA Fire Flow Tests for designing sprinkler systems in new developments, fire pump tests to meet underwriter requirements, and complex water model calibration projects.

Benefits of Fire Flow Testing:

  • Water System Upgrades: It is essential for assessing water availability when planning for fire emergencies. A fire flow test can also help identify how to configure or enhance a property's private fire flow or sprinkler system.
  • Accurate Water System Pressures: Tests offer precise pressure readings at a specific moment or during manipulated scenarios, as opposed to seasonal variations. An effective water model enables evaluation of the water supply and potential changes in availability over time.
  • General System Conditions: A fire flow test can reveal closed or faulty system valves by providing accurate flow rates and system pressures from designated points in the water system during the testing.

The Fire Flow Testing Process:

  • Planning: Detailed maps of the water distribution system are used to identify flow and residual hydrants, as specified by SFE’s client. This ensures efficient testing in the appropriate areas.
  • Site Preparation: Hydrants are equipped with the necessary instrumentation, such as a pitot gauge, hydrant pressure logger, or Hose Monster. Technicians confirm suitable water discharge locations, like storm drains or culverts, ensuring that flows are diverted effectively to prevent flooding or pooling.
  • Flowing: After obtaining a static pressure reading at the residual hydrant(s), the flow hydrant is opened to simulate a water supply draw from a specific location. The pressure in the residual hydrant(s) should drop by at least 10 psi for the test to be deemed successful. The flow hydrant is monitored to ensure that the water drains appropriately to the designated diversions.
  • Closing: Once the flow hydrant has been running long enough to clear any debris or foreign substances, the technician will gradually close the hydrant. This process must be done slowly to avoid causing a water hammer in the system.

Why Choose SFE for your Fire Flow Testing Project?


SFE has advanced instrumentation that can log hydrant pressures across multiple hydrants while the water system is adjusted to simulate various potential water supply scenarios. Having current information on how a water system responds to demands—whether from a new building or a potential fire emergency—is crucial for any municipality.

Contact us today for a fire flow testing solution that will work for your organization or project.

SFE Global’s progressive pigging together with SmartFoam are a winning approach to assess 19-miles of sewer force mains.

An Arizona city needed to ensure their twinned 24-inch 9.5-mile sewer force mains could handle increased inflow. SFE Global used the progressive pigging approach together with SmartFoam™ technology for a high-resolution condition assessment, identifying and addressing critical issues to enhance pipeline safety, reliability, and cost-effective maintenance.

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Initial
Assessment

We begin with thorough consultations, understanding your unique needs and aligning with all stakeholders.

01
Proposal Development

We work with you to create detailed designs and specifications, helping you craft winning proposals for municipal projects.

02
Comprehensive Execution

We execute the project with rigorous quality assurance and continuous monitoring, ensuring compliance with municipal standards and preventing costly failures.

03

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Our Clients’ Experiences

Senior Water Resource Engineer, Associated Engineering
Larry Bodnaruk
"SFE has provided all our monitoring needs for the past 15 years. Their staff are experienced, knowledgeable, and responsive and a pleasure to work with, and I admire their attention to detail in a difficult and hostile environment. SFE has always delivered quality and value in our projects. What more can I say – quite simply the best in the business."
Project Manager, M.A.P. Water & Sewer Services Ltd.
Egidio Chiarello
“We have done several water transmission line swabbing projects with SFE Global for final commissioning. We were able to work closely with SFE staff on-site to successfully pig a large potable water transmission pipeline.”
i2i Pipelines, CEO
Steve Banks
"SFE Global is one of our go-to SmartFoam pipeline condition assessment partners in the water industry.  Their team brings the knowledge and experience needed to run our tools safely and effectively in water, wastewater, and industrial pipelines."
KGS Group, Urban Hydraulics Lead
Dave White
"SFE Global provided exceptional flow monitoring services, even under challenging site conditions. The professionalism, expertise, and response times of SFE Global’s team made the entire process seamless and efficient. Obtaining good quality data is paramount, and SFE Global has come through for us on multiple projects with high quality and accuracy. I would highly recommend their services for any flow monitoring needs."
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