Use Fire Hydrant Inspections

The Fire Hydrant Inspections solution delivers a set of capabilities that help you inventory fire hydrants, conduct routine inspections, monitor hydrant inspection programs, and share operating status with firefighters.

In this topic, you’ll learn how to use the solution by assuming the role of a user and performing the workflows below.

Note:

Use your organization's data or configured apps to follow these workflows.

Assign Inspections

Note:

This workflow is optional and doesn't need to be completed in order to work with the solution.

Fire hydrant inspections are assigned on an annual basis or can be conducted by canvassing streets or areas withing the community. To assign inspections on an annual basis use the Fire Hydrant Inspections Notebook app. The Fire Hydrant Inspections Notebook app uses the Fire Service District layer and Fire Hydrant layer to make assignments based on station, shift, inspection due date, and the inspection type.

Note:

You must be assigned a role of Administrator or custom role which includes the privilege to Create and edit notebooks in order to run an ArcGIS Notebooks and complete the following steps.

In this workflow, you will assume the role of fire analyst who will use the ArcGIS Notebooks app to set the assignment type, assigned station, assigned shift, and assignment due date for each hydrant.

1. Verify that you are signed in to your ArcGIS organization and browse to the Fire Hydrant Inspections Notebook app.
2. Click Cell and choose Run All.
The notebook will run and a new dialog will appear.
3. In the dialog choose the assignment due date.

   By default, the end of year is configured.

4. Choose the minimum number of years between flow tests.

Tip:

The minimum number of years between flow tests is set to 4 years by default, to ensure that every hydrant is flow tested every 5 years. NFPA 291 states that flow tests should be conducted every 5 years.
5. Click the Setup Annual Hydrant Inspection Assignments
6. Click the FireHydrant_firehydrants layer, click the Data tab and verify the Assignment Type, Assignment Due, Assigned Station, and Assigned Shift have values.

Once the Fire Hydrant Inspections Notebook app has run then you must update the Fire Hydrant Inspections map symbology to reflect the assignments by station and shifts.

1. Verify that you are signed in to your ArcGIS organization and browse to the Fire Hydrant Inspections map.
2. From the item page, click Open in Map Viewer to view the map.
3. At the bottom left, click the Expand button to view the Context (dark) toolbar.

   The tools on this toolbar allow you to manage and view map contents.

4. At the bottom right, click the Expand button to view the Settings (light) toolbar.

   This toolbar includes options for configuring and interacting with map layers and other map components.

5. In the Context toolbar, click the Layers button to view and verify the Fire Hydrants layer is selected.
6. In the Settings toolbar, click the Styles button, click Styles options button.
7. Navigate to the Unassigned symbol and click the Move up button.
8. Optionally, configure the symbols colors.

Collect new hydrant

In some cases, fire departments may access hydrant data maintained by a water utility to use for inspections. In other cases, hydrant data may not exist, and a field assessment may be used to capture hydrant locations and their operational status.

In this workflow, you will assume the role of a firefighter who needs to a collect a new fire hydrant in the community.

1. Download ArcGIS Field Maps onto your mobile device.
2. Open ArcGIS Field Maps and sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
3. Tap the Fire Hydrant Inspections map to open it.
4. Browse to the collection location.
5. Tap Location.

   The map will zoom to your current location.

6. Tap Add and tap Add Point
7. Tap Update Point.
8. Swipe up and add additional information for the fire hydrant.
9. Tap Notes to enter any other observations noted in the field.
10. When you're finished, at the top right, tap the check mark or Submit.

    Note:

    Your interface may vary depending on the type of mobile device that you use.

11. Repeat steps 4 to 10 for each additional fire hydrant.

Perform flush inspection

Flushing fire hydrants is often an annual workflow that ensures fire hydrant operability, ease of access, and recycles the water in the distribution pipes. When exercising the operability of a hydrant, firefighters often need to note physical characteristics and any required maintenance of the hydrant while in the field.

In this workflow, you will assume the role of a firefighter who needs to perform a flush inspection on an existing fire hydrant.

1. Download ArcGIS Field Maps onto your mobile device if you haven't already.
2. Open ArcGIS Field Maps and sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
3. Tap the Fire Hydrant Inspections map to open it.
4. Browse to the collection location.
5. Tap Location.

   The map will zoom to your current location. Hydrants can also be searched by assigned station or assigned shift.

6. Tap Related and tap Add to create a new inspection record.
7. Swipe up on the inspection form, tap Station Completing Inspection and choose a value.
8. Tap Inspection Type and choose Flush.
The Operability section is now visible on the inspection form.
9. Tap Is the hydrant operable and choose Yes.
10. Tap Flush complete? and choose Yes.
11. Tap Flow duration and enter a value.
12. Tap to open the Maintenance section, then tap any question to choose a value.
13. When you're finished, at the top right, tap the check mark or Submit.

    Note:

    Your interface may vary depending on the type of mobile device that you use.

Perform flow test inspection

Fire hydrant flow tests are often performed to evaluate water pressure capabilities under various distribution-system flow conditions. The resulting pressure readings inform responding crews of the operational capabilities of the hydrants within proximity to the emergency. When performing a flow test, there are typically five variables that crews record from the field to inform the water flow capabilities.

In this workflow, you will assume the role of a firefighter who needs to perform a flow test inspection on an existing fire hydrant.

1. Download ArcGIS Field Maps onto your mobile device if you haven't already.
2. Open the app on your mobile device, and sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
3. Tap Fire Hydrant Inspections to open it.
4. Browse to the collection location.
5. Tap Location.

   The map will zoom to your current location. Hydrants can also be searched by assigned station or assigned shift.

6. Tap Related and tap Add to create a new inspection record.
7. Swipe up on the inspection form, tap Station Completing Inspection and choose a value.
8. Tap Inspection Type and choose Flow Test.

   The Operability section is now visible on the inspection form.

9. Tap Is the hydrant operable and choose Yes.
10. Tap to open the Maintenance section, then tap any question to choose a value.
11. Tap Pitot Pressure and enter a value.
12. Repeat Step 11 for the Discharge Coefficient, Outlet Diameter, Static Pressure, and Residual Pressure.

    The inspection form automatically calculates Flow Rate (GPM) and Available Fire Flow (GPM) by using the Q formula and Hazen-Williams formula as outlined in NFPA 291.

13. When you're finished, at the top right, tap the check mark or Submit.

    Note:

    Your interface may vary depending on the type of mobile device that you use.

Monitor fire hydrant inspection program

Fire hydrant inspection programs are run on a recurring interval, typically annually. During the inspection cycle, fire command staff can reference the status of the inspection program to make informed decisions.

You will now assume the role of fire command staff and will use the Fire Hydrant Inspections Dashboard to monitor the progress of fire hydrant inspections.

1. Verify that you are signed in to your ArcGIS organization and browse to the Fire Hydrant Inspections Dashboard app.
2. From the item page, click Open Dashboard.
3. Review the high-level metrics of the dashboard, including total inspections, out of service hydrants, and inspections by station and type.
4. On the top, in the header panel, use filters to explore inspections by type, station, date, and lifecycle status. By default, the dashboard shows inspections from year to date.

   Note:

   Dashboard charts are linked. If you click a column the Inspections completed by station or a slice in the Inspections by type chart, related details are filtered and updated in other elements in the dashboard.

5. In the hydrant list, click a hydrant to zoom to its location to see the inspection status.