ISO Fire Protection Grading System

From the Florida Insurance Council

For information directly from Insurance Services Office, see this link:
ISO Mitigation

Insurance Services Office, Inc., as one of its major programs throughout the country, grades communities on the quality and level of fire protection provided their residents. Most major insurers adapt their property insurance rates around the ISO Public Protection Grading Program - in addition to other factors, including location and quality and type of construction - with policyholders in areas with the best fire code grades generally paying less than residents of areas with poor grades. The ISO fire protection grading system is the model for the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule.

ISO grades each community on its ability to fight fires, and assigns a rating. One is the highest grade with 10 the lowest and representing less than the minimum recognized protection. The grading is based on a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS), which was developed by ISO years ago and now is widely recognized throughout the country.

The FSRS is essentially a survey that assesses the available public fire-fighting facilities. The basic components of the survey are communications, water supply, and equipment and manpower at the fire department, which account for 10, 40, and 50 percent of the grade, respectively. The FSRS covers features that determine a community. s ability to control fire damage. These include water supply and distribution systems; fire alarm receiving and dispatching procedures;

fire-fighting equipment; and training of engine and ladder service companies. Local Governments Strive for High ISO Grade In communities with populations over 25,000, surveys are done every ten years. In communities with populations less than 25,000, surveys are done every 15 years, Many communities will invite ISO to come out and re-survey their facilities at other times, especially when they have upgraded their fire protection system and might qualify for a better grade.

Most major insurance companies subscribe to the rating service provided by ISO. The ISO protection classifications apply to risks insured under commercial property, commercial multi-peril, businessowners, farm, homeowners, and dwelling property insurance programs.

ISO also administers consumer education programs on such subjects as residential construction, residential security systems, solid fuel stoves, flammable liquids, and sprinkler systems.

For more information contact:
Christopher Guidette, ISO New York, (212) 898-6609