Recognized testing practice
NFPA 291 provides recognized guidance for water flow testing and hydrant marking. We apply the relevant testing practices while confirming the edition and local procedures required for each project.
PAVEY FLOW SOLUTIONS
NFPA 291 Hydrant Flow Testing
Pavey Flow Solutions performs hydrant flow testing in accordance with the applicable practices outlined in NFPA 291, Recommended Practice for Water Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants, together with local water authority and site requirements.
Field verified readings
A typical test records static pressure before flow, residual pressure while water is flowing, pitot pressure at the outlet, outlet size, discharge coefficient, and relevant field conditions.
Calculated project results
Measured readings are used to calculate flowing discharge and project available flow at 20 PSI. Reports distinguish measured field data from calculated values so reviewers can follow the basis of the result.
Clear project documentation
Results can include a flow summary, water supply curve, hydrant photographs, labeled GPS locations, mapping, recorded elevations and distances, and test setup details for a usable project record.
FROM FIELD TEST TO PROJECT DATA
What an NFPA 291 guided flow test provides
The goal is a clear, repeatable picture of the water supply at the time of testing. We separate field observations from calculated results so engineers, contractors, municipalities, and reviewing authorities can quickly understand the data.
Measured in the field
- Static pressure before flow
- Residual pressure during flow
- Pitot pressure at the outlet
- Outlet size and test conditions
Calculated from readings
- Flowing discharge in GPM
- Available flow projected at 20 PSI
- Water supply curve when requested
- Measured and calculated data clearly separated
Placed in project context
- Labeled hydrant locations
- GPS coordinates and mapping
- Test date, time, and configuration
- Authority and site requirements
PROPER COORDINATION MATTERS
Recognized practice, local requirements.
NFPA 291 provides the testing framework. The local water authority and authority having jurisdiction determine access, operating procedures, witnessing, notification, and accepted documentation for a specific project. Pavey Flow Solutions coordinates those details before field work begins.
View the 2025 NFPA 291 publication →NFPA 291 QUESTIONS
Clear answers before the test.
What is NFPA 291?+
NFPA 291 is the Recommended Practice for Water Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants. It provides recognized guidance for conducting and documenting hydrant flow tests.
Is every project handled exactly the same way?+
No. The applicable edition, water authority procedures, hydrant access, witnessing requirements, traffic control, and accepted report format can vary by jurisdiction and project.
What readings are collected during a flow test?+
A typical test records static pressure, residual pressure while water is flowing, pitot pressure at the flowing outlet, outlet size, discharge coefficient, and relevant field conditions.
What is available flow at 20 PSI?+
It is a calculated projection based on the measured test data. It is not a separate field reading. The projection helps project teams evaluate the available water supply at a commonly referenced residual pressure.
FIND YOUR AREA
Service coverage
Based in Pelham, Alabama. Regional work is scheduled by location and scope.
State coverage
City coverage
Birmingham, AlabamaPelham, AlabamaHoover, AlabamaHuntsville, AlabamaMontgomery, AlabamaTuscaloosa, AlabamaMobile, AlabamaAtlanta, GeorgiaChattanooga, TennesseeNashville, TennesseeMadison, AlabamaDecatur, AlabamaFlorence, AlabamaGadsden, AlabamaDothan, AlabamaAuburn, AlabamaOpelika, AlabamaDaphne, AlabamaFairhope, AlabamaFoley, AlabamaSandy Springs, GeorgiaRoswell, GeorgiaJohns Creek, GeorgiaAlpharetta, GeorgiaMarietta, GeorgiaDuluth, GeorgiaSmyrna, GeorgiaMacon, GeorgiaWarner Robins, GeorgiaColumbus, GeorgiaAugusta, GeorgiaAthens, GeorgiaGainesville, GeorgiaSavannah, GeorgiaAlbany, GeorgiaValdosta, GeorgiaBrunswick, GeorgiaClarksville, TennesseeMurfreesboro, TennesseeFranklin, TennesseeHendersonville, TennesseeSmyrna, TennesseeKnoxville, TennesseeJohnson City, TennesseeKingsport, TennesseeCleveland, TennesseeMemphis, TennesseeJackson, TennesseeJackson, MississippiMadison, MississippiRidgeland, MississippiMeridian, MississippiSouthaven, MississippiOlive Branch, MississippiTupelo, MississippiOxford, MississippiStarkville, MississippiColumbus, MississippiGulfport, MississippiBiloxi, MississippiHattiesburg, MississippiGreenville, MississippiJacksonville, FloridaPalm Coast, FloridaSt. Augustine, FloridaOrlando, FloridaLakeland, FloridaKissimmee, FloridaSanford, FloridaDeltona, FloridaOcala, FloridaGainesville, FloridaTampa, FloridaSt. Petersburg, FloridaClearwater, FloridaSarasota, FloridaBradenton, FloridaCape Coral, FloridaFort Myers, FloridaNaples, FloridaNorth Port, FloridaMiami, FloridaHialeah, FloridaFort Lauderdale, FloridaPembroke Pines, FloridaHollywood, FloridaMiramar, FloridaCoral Springs, FloridaPompano Beach, FloridaDavie, FloridaSunrise, FloridaWest Palm Beach, FloridaBoca Raton, FloridaDelray Beach, FloridaPort St. Lucie, FloridaPalm Bay, FloridaMelbourne, FloridaDaytona Beach, FloridaTallahassee, FloridaPensacola, FloridaPanama City, FloridaCharleston, South CarolinaNorth Charleston, South CarolinaMount Pleasant, South CarolinaSummerville, South CarolinaGoose Creek, South CarolinaHilton Head Island, South CarolinaBluffton, South CarolinaColumbia, South CarolinaSumter, South CarolinaGreenville, South CarolinaSpartanburg, South CarolinaAnderson, South CarolinaRock Hill, South CarolinaFlorence, South CarolinaMyrtle Beach, South CarolinaCharlotte, North CarolinaConcord, North CarolinaGastonia, North CarolinaHuntersville, North CarolinaKannapolis, North CarolinaRaleigh, North CarolinaDurham, North CarolinaCary, North CarolinaApex, North CarolinaChapel Hill, North CarolinaGreensboro, North CarolinaWinston-Salem, North CarolinaHigh Point, North CarolinaBurlington, North CarolinaFayetteville, North CarolinaWilmington, North CarolinaGreenville, North CarolinaJacksonville, North CarolinaRocky Mount, North CarolinaAsheville, North CarolinaHickory, North CarolinaLouisville, KentuckyElizabethtown, KentuckyLexington, KentuckyGeorgetown, KentuckyRichmond, KentuckyNicholasville, KentuckyFrankfort, KentuckyCovington, KentuckyFlorence, KentuckyBowling Green, KentuckyOwensboro, KentuckyHopkinsville, KentuckyPaducah, KentuckyVirginia Beach, VirginiaChesapeake, VirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaNewport News, VirginiaHampton, VirginiaPortsmouth, VirginiaSuffolk, VirginiaAlexandria, VirginiaLeesburg, VirginiaManassas, VirginiaFairfax, VirginiaRichmond, VirginiaCharlottesville, VirginiaLynchburg, VirginiaFredericksburg, VirginiaPetersburg, VirginiaRoanoke, VirginiaBlacksburg, VirginiaHarrisonburg, VirginiaWinchester, VirginiaStaunton, VirginiaLittle Rock, ArkansasNorth Little Rock, ArkansasConway, ArkansasBenton, ArkansasBryant, ArkansasHot Springs, ArkansasFayetteville, ArkansasSpringdale, ArkansasRogers, ArkansasBentonville, ArkansasBella Vista, ArkansasFort Smith, ArkansasJonesboro, ArkansasParagould, ArkansasPine Bluff, ArkansasNew Orleans, LouisianaBaton Rouge, LouisianaKenner, LouisianaSlidell, LouisianaHouma, LouisianaHammond, LouisianaLafayette, LouisianaLake Charles, LouisianaShreveport, LouisianaBossier City, LouisianaMonroe, LouisianaRuston, LouisianaAlexandria, Louisiana
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