What are the two primary types of pressurized water supply?

The two primary types of pressurized water supply are hydrants and supply lines. Fire hydrants are vital components of the fire protection system, providing immediate access to pressurized water from a municipal water supply or reservoir. This accessibility enables firefighters to quickly connect hoses and access large volumes of water necessary for combating fires.

Supply lines, conversely, refer to the pipelines or conduits that transport the pressurized water from the source—such as a main line or reservoir—to hydrants and other points of use. They ensure that water is efficiently delivered to the areas that need it, maintaining pressure throughout the system even under varying demand levels.

While ponds, tanks, wells, fire pumps, and reservoirs are instrumental in water supply systems, they either serve as sources of water storage or elements within a broader system rather than fitting the definition of pressurized water supply used specifically for firefighting purposes. Thus, hydrants and supply lines directly represent the components involved in delivering water under pressure for immediate use in fire emergencies.