Hydrant Pressure Test | Street Main & Fire Truck Boost Test

Flow Testing

Services Offered

Hydrant Booster Testing

This test is often NOT performed but is arguably the most critical. A failure during a fire brigade boost essentially takes away the Fire Rescue operators ability to effectively fight the fire.

A booster test using pumping appliance (Allflow fire booster truck) simulates Fire Brigade operations when firefighting. This test confirms there are no obstructions or impediments between the booster assembly, the fire pump bypass manifold and the most disadvantaged remote hydrant point. The flows/pressures required through the Fire Brigade Boosters can be substantial – flows that only a fire pumping appliance (Allflow fire booster truck) can provide.

AS2419 Testing

Commissioning Testing to AS2419.1:2005

Hydrant commissioning is one of the final documents standing between you and practical completion. Your Occupational Certificate (OC) depends on your producing a report to your certifier advising, test location, test methodology and performance results. We can provide this in a matter of hours after the test is completed.

This test design Intent is to document that the pipework has been installed without leaks. A test Pressure of 1,700kPa measured from the highest hydrant (AS2419.1-2005, Clause 10.2) for a duration of minimum of 2 hours (AS2419.1-2005, Clause 10.2)

A pumping appliance (Allflow fire booster truck) is required to perform in some cases multiple tests during the commissioning process. Allflow fire is here to provide this testing and provide documentation for your certifier

Below is an extract from Section 10 – AS2419 Commission Test

General

This Section specifies test for verifying that the performance of the fire hydrant system is in accordance with the design approval. These tests shall be conducted at time of system commissioning, and thereafter where required by the regulatory authority. Where a system fails to comply with the requirements of this Section, any faults shall be investigated, rectified and the system retested.

Hydrostatic Test

The system shall be pressurized, at the elevation of the highest hydrant outlet within each pressure zone, to not less than 1.5 times the highest pressure at that location or 1700 Kpa, whichever is the greater. The test shall be applied for duration of not less than 2 hours

SYSTEMS THAT INCORPORATE A BOOSTER

Boosters including those connected in parallel with building pumps

When a pumping appliance (Allflow fire booster truck) is boosting the system, the required flow rate shall be achieved at the required number of most hydraulically disadvantaged hydrants in accordance with Table 2.3. The required pressure at the booster inlet to achieve this performance shall not exceed the designed working pressure of the system as displayed at the booster. This test shall be performed with all building pumps shut down.

Boosters connected in series (relay) with building pumps

Where the booster effectively connects the fire brigade pumping appliance (Allflow fire booster truck) in series with the inlet connection of a building pump(s), an additional test shall be carried out. For each fixed pump or group of pumps operating, the most hydraulically disadvantaged hydrant in each pressure zone shall discharge water at the required outlet pressure and the resultant flow rate recorded. While maintaining this recorded flow rate, the system shall be boosted to achieve an additional pressure of 300 kPa at the hydrant outlet. At this point, the pressure indicated on the gauge of the booster assembly inlet and that indicated on the building pump discharge pressure gauge (also located within the booster cabinet) shall be recorded. The pressure indicated on the building pump discharge pressure gauge, at this condition shall not exceed the system design operating pressure as displayed at the booster.

SYSTEMS THAT INCORPORATE A TANK

Where a tank is incorporated within a system and it has connections for a fire brigade pumping appliance, then a pumping appliance (Allflow fire booster truck) shall be connected to the tank and the system boosted to achieve the required flow rate and outlet pressure at the required number of the most hydraulically disadvantaged hydrants. The pressure and flow rate at each hydrant outlet shall be recorded.

AS1851

This test design intent is to document that at time of testing the pipework still has integrity and holds pressure. A test Pressure of 1.5 times the working pressure or maximum 1,700kPa measured from the highest hydrant. There is no duration time specified in the AS1851 table, however Allflow fire will complete the hydrostatic test at pressure for 30 minutes or at a duration nominated by the client

Service and testing is completed by the fire protection company which includes replacing all valve seatings, gaskets and washers within the hydrant system. The purpose of the hydrostatic pressure test is to prove the replaced parts and the piping system can sustain the elevated water pressures applied during firefighting operations.

On conclusion of a successful hydrostatic test a Brigade Booster test using a pumping appliance (Allflow fire booster truck) is to be conducted to prove that the booster is operational and the design flow can be achieved at the most disadvantaged hydrant outlet.

This test will also determine current boost pressure required. The required boost pressure may have changed since the original commissioning. Available street pressure may have reduced, friction loss in the pipework may have increased with corrosion, or additional infrastructure may have been added into the original system. New signage can be provided at additional cost if requested.

FIVE-YEARLY SERVICE SCHEDULE FIRE HYDRANT SYSTEMS

Item No.	Item	Action required and pass/fail requirement	Records
			Result	Pass/Fail	Comment
4.1	Six-monthly and yearly service	COMPLETE all monthly, six monthly and yearly service activities, as listed in Tables 4.4.1, 4.4.2 and 4.4.3.
4.2	Booster connection flow test (where fitted)	CONDUCT a flow test through booster connection with an appliance in accordance with AS 2419.1 or to approved design Standard. NOTE: Conduct the flow test after a satisfactory (pass) hydrostatic test.
4.3	Hydrostatic test	Where a booster is fitted CONDUCT a hydrostatic pressure test on the entire system at 1.5 times the system working pressure of the required design Standard.

Street Main Testing – Flow and pressure snapshot

This service is available to fire design teams, developers and fire protection companies to determine the available flow and pressure of the street main (at time of test)

For developers and fire system designers – this information is used to determine how the fire system is to be incorporated into the construction. Town’s main feed, or tank – water supply availability is critical.

For fire protection businesses – for maintenance, service and certification and upgrades – being able to measure the actual street water flow and pressure available is used for determining if the available pressure and flow had diminished over time due to an increase on the demand or possibly there is a street valve not fully open or a blockage.

Allflow fire is happy to assist in gathering the actual street main pressure and flow and obtaining the Sydney water fire water flow and pressure and graph the results to show potential inconstancies, or restrictions. In some cases there is more water available possibly reducing the need for pump(s) and further infrastructure.

Need assistance – call the Allflow fire team and ask the question