Hydratec

What Hydratec does

Hydratec, Incorporated is a privately held software company founded in 1972 and headquartered in Windham, New Hampshire, that develops specialized computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) tools for the fire sprinkler industry. Its product portfolio consists of two parallel suites: HydraCAD, HydraCALC, and HydraLIST for the AutoCAD platform, and the equivalent HydraCAD for Revit, HydraCALC for Revit, and HydraLIST for Revit for the Autodesk Revit BIM environment. The software uses proprietary custom objects (HydraPIPEs, HydraHEADs, HydraFITTINGs), integrates manufacturer-specific parts libraries (Reliable, Victaulic V9/V108/IGS), and supports BIM coordination through an Object Enabler for Navisworks covering AutoCAD versions 2019-2027. All products include NFPA 13-compliant hydraulic calculation logic and fabrication list generation, addressing the end-to-end workflow of fire sprinkler contractors from layout through permit submittal and material procurement.

Hydratec monetizes through annual software subscriptions and update plans, fee-based professional services (hydraulic estimating, complete hydraulic calculations, and full sprinkler design layout), instructor-led online training ($1,000 first student / $500 additional for Revit Basic), and Autodesk product resale as an Authorized Reseller. Go-to-market is sales-led with direct phone/email contact, augmented by participation in major industry trade shows (NFPA, NFSA, AFSA, SFPE), the HydraNEWS email newsletter, and The H-Factor blog with nearly 450 tutorial topics. The company serves a distributed base of fire sprinkler contractors, fire protection engineers, and engineering firms across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and select European markets (UK, France, Austria). In 2024, Hydratec was awarded the Autodesk MEP Specialization designation, reinforcing its positioning as a deeply integrated Autodesk partner with staff combining engineering and software development expertise.

Name

Hydratec

Legal name

Hydratec, Incorporated

Website

https://hydratecinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hydratec is a privately held New Hampshire software company founded in 1972 that develops specialized AutoCAD and Revit plugins (HydraCAD, HydraCALC, HydraLIST) for fire sprinkler system design, hydraulic calculations, and fabrication lists used by fire protection contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Protection Design Software

NAICS

Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514)

SIC

Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Pump, Hydrant & Water-Based Fire Protection Testing (Flow/Pressure) (BPABAHAI)

Keywords

• Fire sprinkler design software
• Hydraulic calculation tools
• AutoCAD sprinkler plugin
• Revit BIM fire protection
• Sprinkler fabrication listing

Headquarters

HQ city

Windham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Subscriptions: Annual subscription model for HydraCAD, HydraCALC, and HydraLIST software. Subscribers receive access to new versions, updates, and software support at no additional charge.
2. Software Updates: Update plans available for customers not on subscription. Provides access to new software versions and updates for a fee.
3. Professional Services - Design Services: Hydraulic estimating, calculations, and design layout services provided to sprinkler contractors. Includes preliminary hydraulic calculations, complete hydraulic calculations for submittal, and full sprinkler system design and drawing services.
4. Training Services: Online and instructor-led training courses for HydraCAD and HydraCAD for Revit. Basic training at $1,000 for first student, $500 for additional students from same company. Intermediate training available.
5. Autodesk Product Resale: As an Autodesk Authorized Reseller, Hydratec resells Autodesk products including AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks, providing quotes and selling licenses to customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hydratec develops and sells specialized fire sprinkler design, hydraulic calculation, and fabrication listing software (HydraCAD, HydraCALC, HydraLIST) that run as plugins within Autodesk AutoCAD and Revit environments. The company also delivers professional hydraulic design, calculation, and estimating services for sprinkler contractors, instructor-led online training for its software, and resells Autodesk products as an Authorized Reseller.

Product overview

Hydratec is a specialized software company serving the fire protection industry since 1972, offering a fully integrated suite of sprinkler design and engineering tools. The product portfolio consists of two parallel product families: (1) HydraCAD, HydraCALC, and HydraLIST as the core AutoCAD-based desktop applications for sprinkler design layout, hydraulic calculations, and fabrication stocklisting; and (2) HydraCAD for Revit, HydraCALC for Revit, and HydraLIST for Revit as the equivalent BIM-native tools running inside Autodesk Revit. HydraCAD functions as a plugin/addon directly within AutoCAD, while Hydratec for Revit is a native plugin for Revit — both product lines support the same workflow from design through calculation to fabrication listing. The suite integrates with Autodesk Navisworks for BIM coordination and clash detection, and includes a downloadable Object Enabler for AutoCAD and Navisworks (V27-0, versions 2019–2027) enabling HydraCAD custom objects to be viewed in Navisworks. The software also includes integrated parts libraries for Reliable Parts and Victaulic products (Victaulic IGS, V9, and V108 fittings). Hydratec further offers fee-based professional services including hydraulic estimating, hydraulic calculations, and full sprinkler design layout, as well as instructor-led online training programs for both basic and intermediate Revit users.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HydraCAD: Software for sprinkler system design and layout for AutoCAD and Revit platforms
• HydraCALC
• HydraLIST
• HydraCAD for Revit
• HydraCALC for Revit
• HydraLIST for Revit

Products and services

• HydraCAD HydraCAD is the core sprinkler design and drawing plugin for AutoCAD, enabling fire protection contractors to create sprinkler plans, layout pipe systems, and produce installation drawings directly within the AutoCAD environment.
• HydraCAD for Revit HydraCAD for Revit is the sprinkler design plugin for the Autodesk Revit BIM environment, fully Revit compatible with no conversion or connection needed, enabling native sprinkler model creation directly in Revit.
• HydraCALC HydraCALC is the hydraulic calculation software for sprinkler systems, providing efficient pipe sizing, error checking for code violations, and NFPA-compliant hydraulic calculations for submittal to approval authorities.
• HydraCALC for Revit HydraCALC for Revit derives hydraulic calculations automatically from the sprinkler model created within Revit, integrating hydraulic analysis into the BIM workflow.
• HydraLIST HydraLIST is the fabrication list and stocklisting software that automatically derives complete material lists from sprinkler models for procurement and fabrication.
• HydraLIST for Revit HydraLIST for Revit derives complete fabrication lists automatically from the Revit sprinkler model, feeding material procurement seamlessly from the BIM environment.
• HydraCAD Object Enabler Object Enabler for AutoCAD and Navisworks (versions 2019-2027) that enables viewing of HydraCAD custom objects (HydraPIPEs, HydraHEADs, HydraFITTINGs) in Navisworks and AutoCAD, available as a free download.
• HydraCAD for Revit Basic Online Training Instructor-led online training covering essential tools to create a complete sprinkler design using Hydratec for Revit, including 1-hour kickoff, three 3-hour sessions, and follow-up sessions; $1,000 for first student, $500 per additional student.
• HydraCAD for Revit Intermediate Online Training Advanced instructor-led online training for students who have completed basic training, covering multi-story BIM project coordination, clash detection in Revit and Navisworks, pipe configuration, hanger detailing, and Robotic Total Station layout, delivered in five 3-hour sessions plus a kickoff.
• Hydraulic Estimating Service Professional service providing preliminary hydraulic calculations for sprinkler contractors to determine installation pricing for bidding, including sprinkler head spacing, pipe locations, and pipe sizes based on building description, water supply, and insurance requirements.
• Hydraulic Calculations Service Professional service producing complete hydraulic calculations for sprinkler system submittal to approval authorities, returning three sets of calculations with drawings marked with hydraulic reference points and pipe sizes.
• Hydraulic Design Layout Service Full sprinkler system design and drawing service by Hydratec designers producing reproducible drawings ready for underwriter approval with all NFPA 13 working plan information, including three sets of hydraulic calculations and optional disks with drawing files.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free updates for subscription customers
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reliable Automatic Sprinkler CompanycoreTechnology or Integration · 11 May 2023Partnership with Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company to include their complete product line within HydraCAD software. The comprehensive quality product line is readily available for use within HydraCAD, the industry's premier Sprinkler Design Software.
• VictauliccoreTechnology or Integration · 15 May 2018HydraCAD, HydraCALC, and HydraLIST are compatible with Victaulic Style V9 FireLock IGS Installation-Ready Sprinkler Coupling and Style V108 FireLock IGS Installation-Ready Rigid Coupling. Also compatible with Victaulic Innovative Groove System (IGS) fittings.
• AutodeskcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHydratec is an Autodesk Authorized Reseller, selling AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and other Autodesk products. Hydratec has received Autodesk MEP Specialization designation recognizing their expertise and support in the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing industry.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydratec software supports NFPA 13 standards for sprinkler system design. The company participates in NFPA events and conferences. NFPA compliance is built into HydraCALC hydraulic calculation tools.
• NFSA (National Fire Sprinkler Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydratec participates in NFSA events and conferences as an exhibitor. Strong presence at NFSA national and regional events.
• AFSA (American Fire Sprinkler Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydratec participates in AFSA conventions and exhibitions. Active presence at AFSA Annual Convention & Exhibition and regional chapter events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AutoSPRINK: Direct competitor in fire sprinkler design CAD software; offers AutoCAD-based tools for sprinkler layout and hydraulic calculations serving the same fire sprinkler contractor audience as Hydratec.
• Canute (Trimble MEP): Direct fire sprinkler design CAD/Revit software peer, originally Canute FHC and now operating within Trimble's MEP software portfolio; competes head-to-head with HydraCAD for AutoCAD and Revit.
• SprinkCAD: Direct competitor offering sprinkler design and hydraulic calculation software to fire protection contractors; operates in the same AutoCAD-based sprinkler design niche as HydraCAD.

Broad incumbents

• Trimble: Broad AEC/MEP software incumbent owning Canute and other MEP design tools; could bundle sprinkler design into a wider MEP platform competing with Hydratec.
• Autodesk: Host platform for both HydraCAD (AutoCAD) and Hydratec for Revit, and an Autodesk Authorized Reseller partner; represents both distribution channel and a structural risk as a potential native competitor.
• Bentley Systems: Infrastructure and building BIM platform with MEP/fire protection adjacencies; a broad incumbent that could expand vertical coverage into the fire sprinkler design space Hydratec serves.
• Nemetschek Group: European-headquartered AEC software group (Graphisoft, Allplan, Vectorworks); broad incumbent in the building design software stack adjacent to Hydratec's fire sprinkler niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hydratecinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hydratec-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hydratec