Fire Hydrant Testing – What You Need To Know

Fire hydrant testing is not just about ticking a box, it’s about saving lives, property, reputations and money. This article walks you through why it’s essential, what the rules are, what the tests involve, how regular maintenance saves money, reputation and most importantly lives.

When it comes to fire safety, fire hydrants are the unsung heroes, but without regular testing and maintenance, they can become liabilities, risking lives, leaving property exposed, even invalidating insurance.

Fire hydrant testing is a proactive process that confirms your hydrant system will deliver sufficient pressure and flow when it matters.

According to Australian Standard AS 1851‑2012 (Section 4), building hydrants require:

Under AS 2419.1‑2021, hydrants must deliver a residual pressure of 150–200 kPa and flow of at least 10 L/s to support effective firefighting operations.

Fire brigades in NSW expect hydrants to be no more than 100 metres apart in residential areas, depending on the lay of the land and provision of other services such as phone lines, power and gas, according to Fire and Rescue NSW, ensuring fast access in emergencies.

In a fire emergency, every second matters. Fire hydrants are often firefighters’ first point of contact with your building’s water supply.

In such incidents, hydrant reliability is key. Systems with blocked valves, corrosion, or pressure loss can delay critical firefighting operations, risking lives, injury, and escalation of damage.

That’s why the 5‑year hydrostatic flow test is a non‑negotiable safeguard, as it catches system degradation before it’s too late.

A reliable fire hydrant system can significantly reduce property damage. Fires in commercial and residential buildings can cost millions and in Australia, insurance claims make up a staggering portion of that.

In many cases, under‑performing hydrants have contributed to fires spreading more rapidly. Insurers are increasingly scrutinising maintenance records and a missing or out-of‑date flow test can often lead to denied claims or inflated premiums.

Insurers in Australia expect strict compliance with both standards and regulations. CGU’s Risk Awareness Guide [insert link] highlights that fire hydrant systems require proactive maintenance, not reactive fixes, to avoid non-compliance penalties or voided insurance.

Key compliance requirements:

Missing or incomplete documentation can raise red flags during insurance assessments or compliance audits. Insurers may request certificates showing:

Australia is facing increasing fire risk driven by climate change. The Bureau of Meteorology / CSIRO 2018 “State of the Climate” report confirms more severe fire weather is becoming the norm.

In response, both Standards Australia and Australian fire authorities are updating guidelines (e.g. AS 2419.1‑2021) to support more resilient infrastructure.

Meanwhile, major insurers (like CGU, IAG) are pushing for stricter loss prevention protocols, especially in high-risk zones.

That makes your hydrant system not just a legal requirement, but a strategic asset in risk mitigation.

Fire hydrant testing isn’t just a bureaucratic hurdle, it’s about protecting life, minimising asset damage, staying insured, and meeting the law. Regular inspections, accurate testing, thorough reporting, which when done properly, keep your business safe, compliant, and resilient.

At Essential Asset & Fire, we help you navigate all this on time, in full, and stress‑free.

Important Disclaimer: This article is general in nature and does not constitute legal or building compliance advice. Always consult a licensed fire safety practitioner and review relevant legislation for your property classification.