Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS)

To ensure that ISO classifies a community’s ability to suppress fires according to nationally accepted standards, we developed the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). The schedule measures the major elements of a community’s fire-suppression system and develops a numerical grading — ISO’s Public Protection Classification (PPCTM).

Challenge
To ensure that ISO classifies a community’s ability to suppress fires according to nationally accepted standards, we developed the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). The FSRS is a manual containing the criteria ISO uses in reviewing the firefighting capabilities of individual communities. The schedule measures the major elements of a community’s fire-suppression system and develops a numerical grading — ISO’s Public Protection Classification (PPCTM).

Solution
The FSRS incorporates nationally accepted standards developed by such organizations as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). When those organizations update their standards, the ISO evaluation changes as well. So, the PPC program always provides a useful benchmark that helps fire departments and other public officials measure the effectiveness of their efforts — and plan for improvements.

Technique
The FSRS lists a large number of items (facilities and practices) a community should have to fight fires effectively. The schedule assigns credit points for each item. Using those credit points and various formulas, ISO calculates a total score on a scale of 0 to 100. To receive certain PPC ratings, a community must meet minimum criteria. After a community meets those criteria, the PPC rating depends on the community’s score on the 100-point scale.

The FSRS considers three main areas of a community’s fire-protection program:

Fire alarms
Ten percent of a community’s overall score is based on how well the fire department receives and dispatches fire alarms.

Fire department
Fifty percent of the overall score is based on the fire department. ISO reviews the distribution of fire companies throughout the area and checks that the fire department tests its pumps regularly and inventories each engine company’s nozzles, hoses, breathing apparatus, and other equipment.

Water supply
Forty percent of the overall score is based on the community’s water supply. Does the community have sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond daily maximum consumption? ISO surveys all components of the water-supply system, including pumps, storage, and filtration. We observe fire-flow tests at representative locations in the community to determine the rate of flow the water mains provide. We also review the condition and maintenance of fire hydrants and count the distribution of fire hydrants no more than 1,000 feet from the representative locations.

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