
The GIS staff realized that firefighters could use the GPS receiver purchased for the utility project to collect latitude/longitude coordinates and other hydrant features.
FIRE HYDRANT LOCATOR HOW TO
While considering how to implement both the hydrant and the utility project, the GIS staff realized that fire hydrants are visible features of the water system. This lightweight system is fully inclusive on the range pole and requires no backpack or bellybag. The system, made by Tripod Data Systems, allows collection interface customization and uses built-in virtual reference station technology for on-the-fly data correction that gives real-time differentially corrected GPS readings accurate to one meter. The plan was to collect location data for visible features of the water, wastewater, and storm drain systems. Since identifying and locating hydrants would be a lot of work, the staff decided to collect additional information on hydrant condition and manufacture date.Ĭoincidentally, the GIS Department had acquired a GPS system for use in a utility collection project. Before the GIS staff members imported anything into Firehouse, they wanted to perform an inventory to account for all hydrants. Next the Fire Department requested fire hydrant data, specifically a unique identifier and latitude/longitude coordinates for each hydrant.

Addresses for all of the City's homes and businesses were now available from a pick list on the incident report screen. Address data that had been tested and used by the City's GIS Department for the last 10 years was imported into Firehouse.
FIRE HYDRANT LOCATOR SOFTWARE
This software allows external data to be imported. To improve incident reporting and computerize response preplanning, the Fire Department acquired a new management software called Firehouse. However, because not all of the hydrants appear on the map, and not every hydrant is correctly located, the real purpose of this exercise is to familiarize firefighters with hydrant locations. Sometimes they trim the weeds, grease the caps, or exercise the valve. Firefighters visit each hydrant in the City to check its general condition. Euless, a midsize city with a population of 44,000, is located midway between Dallas and Fort Worth.įire hydrant maintenance is a chore performed by the Fire Department.
FIRE HYDRANT LOCATOR CODE
The fire code official is authorized to modify the location, number and distribution of fire hydrants based on site-specific constraints and hazards.Editor's Note: A joint project developed by the Fire Department and GIS staff of the City of Euless, Texas, leverages existing GIS data and GPS technology to benefit both groups as well as other City departments.

A 25-percent spacing increase shall be permitted where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3 of the International Fire Code or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code.A 50-percent spacing increase shall be permitted where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 of the International Fire Code.One hydrant for each 1,000 gallons per minute or fraction thereof.


