The PPC Program

• The Public Protection Classification (PPC) Program is used to provide a score to every area across the United States based on their ability to provide public assistance in the case of a fire. The ISO evaluates each area's community-based programs in regards to their ability to answer fire calls efficiently and prevent resulting property loss. This rating helps communities throughout the United States to be aware of their ability to suppress fires and also helps insurance companies, as the higher the classification of a community, the lower the premiums will be in that area. In order to arrive at this classification the ISO evaluates water supply, fire departments and fire alarms.
  
  

Classes One through Three

• Classes one through three are the highest classifications that a community can receive. A community will receive a class one ISO fire classification if they receive a score of 90 or above based on a 100 point scale after the ISO has evaluated all of the elements mentioned above concerning their ability to efficiently respond to fires. A community will receive a class two ISO fire classification if their score is between 80-89.99 and a class three ISO if between 70-79.99. Fire insurance costs in these areas are typically lower due to the community's ability and resources to quickly respond to and suppress fires.
  
  

Classes Four through Six

• A class four ISO fire classification is given to those communities that score between 60-69.99 on the 100 point scale, a class five ISO fire classification to those between 50-59.99 and a class six ISO classification to those between 40-49.99. Fire insurance premiums in these areas are slightly higher than in areas with better ISO classifications, as the ISO has determined that there are some areas of improvement that need to be addressed in order to make the community more efficient at responding to and suppressing fires.
  
  

Classes Seven through Ten

• A class seven ISO fire classification is issued to those communities who score between 30-39.99 on the 100 point scale, a class eight ISO classification to those communities between 20-29.99 and class nine to those between 10-9.99. The classification of ten is the worst possible ISO fire classification a community can receive, and is reserved for those who severely lack the ability to respond to fires. A class ten fire classification is issued to those communities that score less than 10 points on the 100 point scale. The premiums for fire insurance within these communities will be higher due to the increased probability of loss from fire.