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ISO Rating

What is an ISO Rating?
 

An ISO Rating is a numerical score ranging from 1 to 10, where a rating of 1 signifies exemplary public protection, and a rating of 10 indicates that a community's fire suppression program does not meet the minimum criteria set by ISO.

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ISO, or the Insurance Services Office, is a for-profit organization that evaluates municipal fire protection efforts across U.S. communities through its Public Protection Classification (PPC) program. ISO uses its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) — a manual that assesses the firefighting capabilities of individual communities. The schedule evaluates key components of a community's fire suppression system and assigns a numerical grade, known as the Public Protection Classification, commonly referred to as the ISO Rating.

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How does the ISO rating affect residents?
 

Enhanced safety is the chief benefit of an improved ISO rating. Statistical data shows a direct relationship between better fire protection and a reduction in injuries and property loss. Beyond keeping people safe, an improved ISO rating generally results in lower property insurance rates.
 

What is Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department's ISO Rating? 
 

TVVFD's ISO Public Protection Classification Rating is 4/4x.
 

What makes up an ISO rating?
 

The ISO Public Protection Classification consists of three major components:

  • Fire Department - 50%

  • Fire Communications: Receiving & Handling Fire Alarms - 10%

  • Municipal Water Supply - 40%


Fire Department
 

Fifty percent of the overall grade is based on the number of stations, apparatus, staffing, and training. ISO checks that the fire department tests its pumps regularly and inventories each engine's equipment, i.e., hoses, nozzles, breathing apparatus, etc.
 

ISO also reviews the fire company records to determine:

  • Type and extent of training provided to personnel

  • Number of people who participate in training

  • Firefighter response to emergencies

  • Maintenance and testing of fire department equipment

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Fire Communications Receiving & Handling Alarms

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Ten percent of the overall grade is based on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its firefighting resources. Field representatives evaluate the communications center, looking at the number of operators at the center; the telephone service, including the number of telephone lines coming into the center; and the listing of emergency numbers in the telephone book. Field representatives also look at the dispatch circuits and how the center notifies firefighters about the location of the emergency.
 

Water supply
 

Forty percent of the overall grade is based on the community’s water supply. This part of the survey focuses on whether the community has sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond daily maximum consumption. ISO surveys all components of the water supply system, including pumps, storage, and filtration. To determine the rate of flow the water mains provide, ISO observes fire-flow tests at representative locations in the community. Finally, ISO evaluates the distribution of fire hydrants.

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