The procedure for determining the hydraulic characteristics of permanent water supplies is found in which NFPA publication?

• A. NFPA 13E
• B. NFPA 13
• C. NFPA 25
• D. NFPA 20

Answer: (A)

Determining how much water is available and how it will meet the system’s demand in an existing installation is addressed by evaluating the hydraulic characteristics of the permanent water supply. NFPA 13E provides the guidance for this kind of evaluation in existing sprinkler and fire protection installations, including procedures for testing and verifying the water supply, pressure, and flow to ensure the system can perform as intended.

NFPA 13 covers the design and installation of sprinkler systems, which uses hydraulic calculations for new designs. NFPA 20 deals with fire pumps and their installation. NFPA 25 covers inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. The question specifically about how to determine the hydraulic characteristics of an existing permanent water supply aligns with NFPA 13E’s scope, making it the best reference.