Standpipe and Fire Department Connection Installation Bulletin

Scope

The guidelines in this administrative bulletin shall apply to all buildings where new standpipe systems and, or FDC, are installed or substantially modified.  These guidelines are based on Syracuse Fire Department standard operating procedures and nationally recognized standards.

 

Purpose

Standpipe systems are required in buildings to provide a quick, convenient water source for fire department use where hose lines would otherwise be impractical, such as in high-rise buildings. These systems are installed based on the occupancy, fire department accessibility and special considerations that may require manual fire suppression.  At a minimum, one FDC is required to be provided as part of a water-based suppression system’s auxiliary water supply.  FDCs give the fire department the capability of supplying the necessary water to the automatic sprinkler or standpipe system at sufficient pressure. The FDC also serves as an alternative source of water should the primary water supply be interrupted.

 

Standpipe Systems

Standpipe systems shall be installed where required by the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code of New York State and in accordance with NFPA 14 and NFPA 13.

 

Standpipe Hose Valve Connections

 

  • Hose valve connections for Class I standpipes shall be provided in accordance with Section 905.4 of the 2020 Fire Code of New York State.
  • The Syracuse Fire Department requires hose valve connections to be installed on the intermediate floor landing in every required interior exit stairway, except as otherwise required or approved by the Syracuse Fire Department.
  • Standpipe systems, nor its appurtenances, shall infringe on the required egress width of the stairwell.
  • A hose valve connection shall be located no more than 150’ from the most remote portion of a non-sprinklered floor or story.
  • A hose valve connection shall be located no more than 200’ from the most remote portion of a sprinklered floor or story.
  • Hose valve connections shall be unobstructed and shall be located not less than 3 feet or more than 5 feet above the floor.
  • The hose valve connection shall not be obstructed by any closed or open stairwell door(s) or other objects on the landing.

 

Fire Hose Threads - Section 912.3 [FC]

Hose valve connections shall be installed with Syracuse 2 ½” threads (3.140 X 8).

 

Zone Control Valves

Zone control valves shall be installed in accordance with the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code of New York State.  Valves shall be installed no higher than 60” above the finished floor and shall not require the use of a ladder or special equipment to operate.  All zone control valves shall be labeled as to what portions of systems they control.

 

Fire Department Connections (FDC)

 

  • FDC shall be installed in accordance with the NFPA standard applicable to the system design and shall comply with Section 912 of 2020 Fire Code of New York State.
  • FDC’s shall be provided with 4” Storz connections on all new installations and on systems undergoing major renovations or repair.

 

Locations

FDC shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus.

 

FDC connections shall be located:

  • Where approved by the Syracuse Fire Department.
  • On the addressed street side of buildings or facing approved fire apparatus access roads unless alternatively approved by the Syracuse Fire Department.
  • When alternatively approved on other than the addressed street side of the building, a directional arrow, in accordance with Table 5.2 of NFPA 170 [2018] shall be affixed to the addressed side of the building indicating the direction to the location of the FDC.
  • If a building is on more than one fire access road, additional FDCs may be required to be placed at approved locations on each fire access road.
  • FDCs shall be fully visible and recognizable from the street, fire apparatus access road or nearest point of fire department vehicle access.
  • Within 100 feet of a fire hydrant (installation of a hydrant may be required)

 

FDC shall be located not less than 18” nor more than 48” above the level of the adjoining ground, sidewalk, or grade surface. The surface below all FDC and the access path to the FDC shall be of concrete, asphalt, or other approved surface capable of being maintained.

 

 

Access

Immediate access to FDC shall be maintained at all times and without obstruction by fences, bushes, trees, walls or any other fixed or moveable object. Access to FDC shall be approved by the Syracuse Fire Department

 

Signage

 

  • FDC signage shall be installed in accordance with Section 912.5 of the 2020 Fire Code of New York State.
  • Signage shall be as shown in Table 5.2 of NFPA 170 (2018 edition).
  • Signage shall be constructed of durable, weather-resistant material.  Signs shall be secured to the building in proximity to the FDC at no less than 72” and not greater than 120” above grade.
  • Where a FDC services multiple buildings, structures or locations, address signage will be required to indicate the buildings, structures or locations served.
  • Signage may be required to indicate the pressure required at the inlets to deliver the standpipe system demand.

 

Locking FDC Caps - Section 912.4.1 [FC]

 

The Syracuse Fire Department requires Knox locking caps on FDC for water-based fire protection systems. 

 

Clear Space Around Connections -Section 912.4.2 [FC]

 

A working space of not less than 36” in width, 36” in depth and 78” in height shall be provided and maintained in front of and to the sides of wall mounted FDC and around the circumference of free-standing FDC, except as otherwise required or approved by the Syracuse Fire Department.

 

The FDC should not be in the direct vicinity of gas meters, electrical equipment, communication equipment and domestic water services because of the potential hazards that are present during fireground operations.

 

 

 

Fire Prevention Bureau

July 2022

 

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