Rely on NFPA 1142 to help determine water supply needs, evaluate available resources, improve fireground water access, and support protection strategies that reflect current hazards and community conditions.

Providing enough water for firefighting in suburban and rural areas requires clear criteria, practical planning tools, and requirements that reflect today’s fire risks. NFPA 1142 helps users assess water supply demands, evaluate infrastructure and equipment needs, and support more effective firefighting operations where reliable water access can be a challenge.

Whether you’re planning new development, updating fire protection resources, or reviewing water supply capabilities for an existing community, NFPA 1142 delivers the guidance needed to support safer and more effective firefighting operations.

2027 Updates include:

• Clarified Scope: Revised language helps users better understand how to apply the standard when planning and evaluating water supplies for suburban and rural firefighting.
• Updated Water Supply Criteria: Revisions to occupancy classifications for dwellings and automobile parking garages, along with elimination of the maximum construction classification for dwellings, effectively increase the amount of water needed to address modern fire hazards.
• New Requirements for Tanks and Dry Hydrants: Added provisions require water tanks to comply with NFPA 22, Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection, and require a strainer to be provided in a dry hydrant.
• Improved Water Supply Study Maintenance: The standard now requires the water supply availability study to be periodically reviewed and updated to help support current planning and decision-making.
• Expanded Annex on Water Supply Operations: A new annex combines material on mobile water supply apparatus, large-diameter hose, portable pumps, and water tender operations to support a more holistic approach to water supply planning.