The flow must go on
Firefighters test hydrants annually to verify operational conditions and document flow rate.
Have you ever turned on the faucet and water didn’t come out? While alarming, the cause can usually be chalked up to a water main break or a faulty valve in the line — which can sometimes be fixed in a matter of hours. Hours may not seem like a long time, but when the Pantex Fire Department (PXFD) needs water, they need it now. That’s why firefighters annually perform operational condition testing on hydrants across the site to proactively verify water flow and hydrant operability.
“This consistent verification helps prevent potential safety oversights that could arise from aging infrastructure,” PXFD Captain Matt Ketelhut said. “It allows us to verify water availability, identify obstructions, and assess system changes.”
Firefighters measure the flow rate in gallons per minute available from each hydrant. This data confirms that sufficient water volume and pressure are accessible for fire suppression. Flow tests can identify problems leading to proactive maintenance or repair. Construction or other modifications to the water distribution system can also impact hydrant performance. Annual testing helps to detect any negative effects these changes might have on water flow.
“Regular testing identifies issues such as clogged mains, corroded valves, or other defects in the water distribution system before a fire occurs,” Ketelhut said. “Addressing these problems proactively prevents potential failures of the water supply when it is most needed, which could otherwise compromise firefighting efforts.”
Pantex has domestic hydrants and High-Pressure Fire Loop (HPFL) hydrants. There are around 268 hydrants on plant site with many more being added when the High Explosive Science and Engineering Facility is finished.
“It takes the entire shift to complete the flows,” Ketelhut said. “Each engine company has a list of hydrants with multiple on each list. We must also test underground valves for the HPFL before we get to test the actual fire hydrants.”
The data collected from testing both systems leads to enhanced pre-incident planning. Firefighters know where to connect hose lines and how much water they can expect, allowing for more efficient and effective deployment of resources during an emergency. This reduces response times and enhances PXFD’s ability to contain incidents before they escalate.
“Accurate hydrant performance data is crucial for facility hazard assessments and the development of emergency preparedness plans,” Ketelhut said. “It allows safety managers to evaluate the effectiveness of the water supply against the specific fire risks present in different areas of the plant, ensuring protective measures are appropriately matched to the hazards.”
By verifying the availability of sufficient water pressure and flow, PXFD can be confident that they have the necessary resources to quickly extinguish fires. This minimizes the spread of fire, reduces damage to facilities, and protects personnel. Fire hydrant testing also ensures Pantex is compliant with inspection standards and flushing requirements.
While PXFD performs the hydrant testing, many other organizations are involved in the process including Fire Protection Engineering, Utilities, Security, the Operations Center, Emergency Services Dispatch Center, Special Mechanic Inspectors, Environmental, Waste Operations and more.
These tests align with the National Fire Protection Association standards such as NFPA 25, which is the benchmark for inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. The forward-thinking work our first responders do is best described by paraphrasing the famous quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin: an ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of water…or something like that.