Purpose Statement
This article explains how to configure Hydrant Preferences within the Hydrants module. These settings control how hydrants are visually displayed, including color coding based on flow data and global outline styling.
Background Information
The Preferences section in Hydrant Setup allows departments to define how hydrants appear across the system. These visual settings help crews quickly assess hydrant performance and status in both the Hydrant Map and Hydrant List.
Hydrant color can be configured in multiple ways:
Manually (base color)
Automatically based on calculated flow rate
Automatically based on actual flow test results
Flow-based coloring follows NFPA 291 standards, helping departments standardize hydrant classification based on available water flow.
Required Permissions
To configure Hydrant Preferences, users must have:
Hydrants Module Access
Hydrant Setup / Configuration permissions
Administrator or data management permissions
If you cannot access Hydrant Setup, contact your system administrator.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Open Hydrant Setup
Click the First Due icon in the upper-left corner.
Scroll down the module stack and select the Hydrants module.
Select Hydrant Setup.
2. Access General Settings
Within Hydrant Setup, locate the General Settings section.
3. Configure Hydrant Color Settings
You will see multiple options for how hydrant colors are applied:
Hydrant Base Color (Manual)
Allows users to manually assign hydrant colors
Not dependent on flow test data
Calculated Flow Rate
Uses a theoretical flow rate based on recorded flow test data
Automatically updates hydrant color based on calculated performance
Flow (Actual) Rate
Uses the actual measured flow from a completed flow test
Automatically updates hydrant color based on real-world results
Note:
Both calculated and actual flow options follow NFPA 291 color standards.
4. Configure Hydrant Outline Color
Select the preferred outline color for hydrants:
Black outline
White outline
This is a global setting and will apply to all hydrants in the system.
5. Enable Hydrant Zone Sync
Locate the Sync Hydrant Zone option.
When enabled, this setting will automatically update the fire zone for each hydrant based on its location.
Best Practices
Use flow-based color settings for more accurate operational awareness.
Ensure flow tests are regularly completed to keep hydrant colors up to date.
Use consistent preference settings across the department to avoid confusion.
Choose an outline color that provides strong visibility on your map background.
Avoid:
Mixing manual and automatic color methods without a clear standard
Not performing flow tests when using automated color options
Changing global settings without notifying users
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Why are my hydrants not updating colors automatically?
A: Ensure flow tests have been completed and that a flow-based color option is selected in Preferences.
Q: What is the difference between calculated and actual flow?
A: Calculated flow is a theoretical value based on test inputs, while actual flow reflects measured results from a completed flow test.
Q: Does changing outline color affect all hydrants?
A: Yes, outline color is a global setting applied system-wide.
Q: Can I switch between color methods later?
A: Yes, preferences can be updated at any time in Hydrant Setup.