Fire Hydrant Flow Test Request

Kitchener Utilities will operate the hydrants. Contractors are not permitted to operate hydrants or connect any equipment to hydrants without Kitchener Utilities staff present. There are two options:

1. Kitchener Utilities provides all equipment for the flow test and dechlorination with the exception of the pitot and pressure gauges. The consultant or contractor is requested to bring a pitot gauge and a pressure gauge that can be attached to a standard 2.5” hydrant port. The Contractor completes the test
2. The Contractor provides their own equipment. Kitchener Utilities will provide and set up dechlorination; however Kitchener Utilities diffusers must be used. It our equipment doesn’t fit, the Contractor is responsible for dechlorination.

Requestor is to complete the test as per NFPA 291 Recommended Practice for Water Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants, most recent version.

If you require a new hydrant flow test:

• fill out this form
• failure to provide a pitot and pressure gauge will result in the service call being cancelled

Kitchener Utilities will review your request and contact you if a test cannot be completed, due to existing infrastructure and customer impacts.  In those situations, you will be provided with contact information to request modelling.

Fire flows may be completed along the LRT route or side streets where overland flow may impact the tracks, however this work needs to be scheduled between 1 a.m.- 4 a.m. and will require a minimum of 10 days to obtain permits.  Fire flows in other areas with key customers or traffic concerns may also experience restrictions (e.g. night work). In these areas, we will work with the applicant to determine if modelling will meet their needs

Fire hydrant flow tests are conducted between the months of May and October and are weather permitting. There is no cost to operate the hydrants during regular business hours, provided the requester emails a copy of the flow tests to us and we do not have a recent test for the area. Depending on the affected area, after-hours work may be required, and a fire flow charge will apply.

Note: dates and times are not guaranteed, someone will call to confirm your booking. Once your test is complete, results must be sent by email. Failure to send the completed reports, multiple tests or after-hours tests will result in fees as per the User Fee Schedule.