There are three critical components to public fire protection: fire hydrants, underground water mains and the water supply itself. Each plays a distinct role in ensuring adequate pressure and flow during emergencies.
1. Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrants are the most visible part of the fire protection system and serve as the connection point for local fire departments. Their locations are generally selected by the fire department with spacing typically ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet.
34,500
Public Hydrants
1,795
Private Hydrants
10 Months
Inspection Cycle
Each hydrant is inspected for mechanical operation every ten months. SCWA employs a dedicated staff of seven hydrant mechanics who repair hydrants as needed to ensure readiness at all times.
Hydrant Flow Testing
A hydrant’s firefighting capability is measured through flow testing. During a test, SCWA measures static pressure, water flow in gallons per minute and residual pressure while the hydrant is operating.
Industry Standard
Flow available at a residual pressure of 20 psi is the minimum operating pressure allowed by the New York State Department of Health.
SCWA performs hundreds of flow tests each year. These tests are triggered by new water main extensions, system improvements, operational changes or requests from customers, fire departments and design consultants.
2. Underground Water Mains
Underground water mains connect fire hydrants to pumping and booster stations. SCWA engineers determine the appropriate size of each main and only highly qualified contractors are permitted to install them.
Operation and repair of the distribution system are performed exclusively by SCWA personnel to ensure safety, reliability and system integrity.
3. Water Supply
The water supply is the foundation of the fire protection system, providing the pressure and volume required for both domestic use and firefighting. SCWA designs and operates its wells, booster pumps and storage tanks in-house.
24/7 System Monitoring
SCWA monitors 232 pump stations, 43 booster stations and 62 tanks around the clock through our SCADA system, supported by field personnel on duty 365 days a year.
By maintaining hydrants, installing properly sized water mains and continuously monitoring the water supply, SCWA ensures fire protection water is available whenever it is needed.