List of Fire Equipment for ISO
- The ISO makes sure firefighters are ready for the next big blaze.firefighter and flames 2 image by Tino Hemmann from Fotolia.com
The Insurance Service Organization, or ISO, rates fire engine companies on a scale of one to 10, related to their readiness to combat a fire based on the tools they have available. Tools measured include hoses, foam, nozzles, radio, ladders and the annual testing of equipment. The lower-numbered score an organization is assigned, the better prepared that engine company is for a fire. Other factors, including personnel, city water supply, and alarm system, also factor into the ISO's final rating in an area. - Hoses and foam are the primary firefighting tools of any engine company. ISO assesses hoses, boosters, heavy-stream appliances and foam as part of an engine company's equipment. Overall, this section calls for three nozzles and 1,000 feet of hose length, a booster, a heavy-stream appliance and at least 25 gallons of foam (10 of which should be carried).
- Radio and ladders are two brief sections covered under ISO regulations. Two radios are required--one mounted and one portable. In addition, two ladders are required--a roof ladder of at least 12 feet and a 24-foot extension ladder.
- Although distributing and foam nozzles are covered under the "Hose" section of the ISO requirements, the remainder of the nozzles fit into this category that accounts for 224 points of the total ISO score, making this the most heavily weighted section. Nozzles should be at least 2-1/2" in diameter with straight stream and combination sprays with a shutoff. Further, safety material is also required under the "Nozzles" section, including a breathing apparatus that lasts for 30 minutes, backup air canisters, flashlights, a hose clamp and a burst hose jacket, among other things.
- The ISO calls for annual tests of pumper and hose services. These annual tests are rated based on the number of years between checks for the past three tests that the equipment has undergone. Ideally, the pumper and hose will be evaluated and have maximum readiness each year. The score for the section regarding annual testing, though, can be diminished if all materials don't pass the test on an annual basis.
- The equipment listed on the ISO website is the minimum expectation for an fire company to possess. Additional equipment may be required based on the community that engine company is in, according to the Minnesota League of Cities. In addition, the ISO doesn't care about the age of equipment as long as it works properly.
