1 Scope
NOTE This standard covers the design documentation, materials, installation, testing, and acceptance of standpipe and hose systems installed in buildings to provide a fixed, reliable water supply for manual fire-fighting operations. (1.1)
NOTE A standpipe system is the vertical piping, horizontal mains, hose connections, control valves, and associated devices that deliver water under pressure to hose outlets located throughout a building, so that fire-department personnel or trained occupants can connect hose lines and direct streams at a fire without depending on the rapid deployment of hose from apparatus at street level. (1.2)
NOTE The scope extends from the point where the standpipe system connects to its water supply — either a dedicated underground fire service main, a tap from the public water main, the discharge of a fire pump dedicated to the standpipe system, or a combined sprinkler/standpipe riser fed from the same source — through the riser piping, horizontal cross mains and feed mains, hose connections at each floor and at any required intermediate locations, pressure-regulating devices where the static pressure at any outlet would otherwise exceed safe limits, the main drain and test arrangement, and the fire department connection (FDC) at the exterior of the building. (1.3)
1.5 Standpipe systems shall comply with NFPA 14 (current edition adopted by the AHJ), the International Fire Code (IFC), and the International Building Code (IBC) as adopted locally.
1.6 Where local amendments modify NFPA 14, the IFC, or the IBC, the local amendment governs unless it is less stringent than the base standard, in which case the base standard governs.
1.7 The Engineer of Record shall confirm the edition of NFPA 14 adopted in the jurisdiction before design begins.
NOTE Successive editions of NFPA 14 have introduced meaningful changes to hose connection pressure limits, pressure-regulating device requirements, the rules for partially-completed high-rise standpipes during construction, and the interface between standpipe and sprinkler combined risers. (1.7.1)
1.8 The standpipe system shall be designed and installed as a manual fire-protection system whose intent is to deliver a usable hose stream at the time and location chosen by the operator.
NOTE A standpipe does not automatically discharge water in nearly every case; with the exception of certain limited Class II occupant-use systems, it requires that a fire-fighter open a hose valve and direct the flow, which distinguishes it from an automatic sprinkler system designed around a pre-engineered design area. (1.8.1)
2 Referenced Standards
2.1 Materials, design, installation, and testing shall comply with the current adopted editions of the following standards.
| Standard |
Title |
| NFPA 14 |
Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems |
| NFPA 13 |
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (for combined sprinkler/standpipe risers) |
| NFPA 20 |
Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection |
| NFPA 24 |
Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances |
| NFPA 25 |
Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems |
| NFPA 72 |
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code |
| NFPA 291 |
Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants |
| NFPA 1962 |
Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliances |
| NFPA 1963 |
Standard for Fire Hose Connections (screw threads and Storz connections) |
| IBC |
International Building Code, Section 905 (Standpipe Systems) |
| IFC |
International Fire Code |
| ASTM A53 |
Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless |
| ASTM A135 |
Standard Specification for Electric-Resistance-Welded Steel Pipe |
| ASTM A795 |
Standard Specification for Black and Hot-Dipped Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Welded and Seamless Steel Pipe for Fire Protection Use |
| ASME B16.1 |
Gray Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings |
| ASME B16.3 |
Malleable Iron Threaded Fittings |
| ASME B16.9 |
Factory-Made Wrought Buttwelding Fittings |
| ANSI/AWWA C606 |
Grooved and Shouldered Joints |
| UL 405 |
Fire Department Connections |
| UL 668 |
Hose Valves for Fire-Protection Service |
| UL 1468 |
Direct Acting Pressure Reducing and Pressure Restricting Valves |
| FM 1110 |
Approval Standard for Single Gate Valves and Indicator Posts |
| FM 1126 |
Approval Standard for Fire Service Pressure-Regulating Valves |
2.2 Where standards conflict, the more stringent requirement governs unless directed otherwise by the Engineer of Record in writing.
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
NOTE Standpipe submittals are reviewed by the AHJ as part of the fire protection plan review process and, in high-rise buildings, by the fire-department operations personnel who will actually use the system; incomplete submittals at this trade are a common cause of plan-review delays. (3.1.1)
3.1.2 The following items shall be submitted as a coordinated package:
- Working drawings for the standpipe system complying with NFPA 14, including floor plans showing standpipe riser locations and routing, hose connection locations and elevations, horizontal main routing, control valve locations, FDC location, and main drain and test arrangement
- Riser diagram showing each standpipe with elevations of every hose connection, the location of pressure-regulating devices, the location of control valves, the connection to the water supply, and the connection to any combined sprinkler riser
- Hydraulic calculations demonstrating compliance with NFPA 14: a minimum of 500 gpm at 100 psi residual at the most hydraulically remote 2-1/2 in. hose connection for Class I and Class III systems, with 250 gpm at each additional remote standpipe, and 100 gpm at 65 psi at the most remote 1-1/2 in. hose connection for Class II systems
- Product data for each item of equipment and material, including pipe, fittings, hose valves with their listed Cv or flow coefficient, pressure-regulating devices (PRV or PRD) with listed pressure-flow curves, fire department connections, control valves with tamper switches, waterflow switches, and any flexible connections or seismic devices
- Manufacturer's installation instructions for each listed or approved component, including any limitations on application, pipe joining method, or system arrangement that affect compliance
- Pressure-regulating device selection schedule showing the static, residual, and flowing pressure at each hose outlet at the system design flow, the inlet and outlet pressure required at each PRV or PRD, and the device set point
- Seismic bracing calculations, where seismic bracing is required by the project's Seismic Design Category
- For partially-completed standpipes used during construction of high-rise buildings, a construction phasing plan showing the elevation of each completed and serviceable hose outlet at each phase of construction, in compliance with IFC Chapter 33 and NFPA 14 Chapter 7
☑ Working drawings per NFPA 14
☐ Standpipe riser diagrams with elevations
☐ Hydraulic calculations per NFPA 14 demand criteria
☐ Product data for all components
☐ Manufacturer installation instructions
☐ PRV / PRD selection schedule
☐ Seismic bracing calculations (if required)
☐ Construction phasing plan (high-rise)
3.1.3 The Contractor shall submit the action submittal items listed above for the Engineer of Record's review and the AHJ's approval prior to procurement and installation.
3.1.4 No work shall proceed on any portion of the standpipe system until the corresponding submittals are reviewed, returned, and any required AHJ approval is in hand.
3.1.5 Working drawings shall be prepared by or under the supervision of a person with qualifications acceptable to the AHJ.
3.1.6 The Contractor shall confirm the designer qualification requirements before assigning the design work.
NOTE In many jurisdictions, qualification acceptable to the AHJ means a licensed fire protection engineer or a NICET-certified designer at the level required by state law. (3.1.7)
3.2 Closeout Submittals
3.2.1 The following shall be submitted at substantial completion before the standpipe system is accepted:
- Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Aboveground Piping (NFPA 14 / NFPA 13 figure) signed by the installing Contractor, certifying pipe and fittings materials, joint types, flushing procedure, hydrostatic test results, flow test results at the FDC and at the most remote hose connection, and the operation of all alarm and supervisory devices
- As-built drawings reflecting field changes from the reviewed working drawings, with the actual elevation of each hose connection recorded
- Operation and maintenance manual including riser identification, hose connection locations and pressure ratings, valve locations, system description, impairment procedures, and NFPA 25 inspection intervals
- Pressure-regulating device commissioning records, including the measured inlet and outlet pressure at each device under the test flow and confirmation that each device's set point is within the listing tolerance
- Warranty documentation for all components carrying a manufacturer warranty
- Hydraulic design information signs confirming that installed signs match the design calculations and are permanently affixed at the system risers
☑ Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Aboveground Piping
☐ As-built drawings with field-verified hose connection elevations
☐ Operation and maintenance manual
☐ PRV / PRD commissioning records
☐ Manufacturer warranty documentation
☐ Hydraulic design information sign verification
3.2.2 The Contractor shall submit the closeout submittal items listed above at substantial completion before the standpipe system is accepted.
4 Quality Assurance
4.1 Installer Qualifications
4.1.1 Standpipe system installation shall be performed by a licensed fire protection contractor as required by the state and local jurisdiction.
4.1.2 In states where licensing is mandatory, the installing contractor shall hold a current fire protection contractor's license.
4.1.3 The individual preparing the working drawings and hydraulic calculations shall hold qualifications as required by the AHJ.
4.1.4 Where state law requires NICET certification, the designer shall hold NICET Level III or Level IV certification in water-based systems layout or fire protection engineering technology, as applicable.
4.2 Coordination with the Fire Department
NOTE Fire-fighting operations depend on connections matching the apparatus and equipment carried by that specific fire department. (4.2.1)
NOTE The fire-fighting effectiveness of a connection depends on its match to the apparatus the local fire department carries: a 4 in. Storz connection on an FDC is useless to a department that carries only 2-1/2 in. National Standard Thread couplings, and a 1-1/2 in. occupant-use hose station with a non-standard thread is useless to occupants. (4.2.2)
4.2.3 The location of every hose connection, the location of the FDC, the thread or coupling type at each connection, and the identification signage shall be confirmed with the fire department of jurisdiction before the connections are procured.
4.2.4 The Contractor shall not procure FDC, hose valves, or threaded couplings without confirming the local fire department standard.
4.2.5 The Contractor shall schedule the acceptance test with the fire department with sufficient advance notice and shall make a fire department representative available throughout the test.
NOTE In many jurisdictions, the fire department or fire marshal will inspect the standpipe system in person and operate one or more hose connections during the field acceptance test. (4.2.6)
4.3 Listing and Approval
4.3.1 All hose valves, FDCs, pressure-regulating devices, control valves, waterflow alarm devices, supervisory switches, and seismic brace assemblies shall be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (UL, FM, or another NRTL as accepted by the AHJ) for the specific application and service conditions in which they are used.
4.3.2 Hose valves shall be listed to UL 668.
4.3.3 FDCs shall be listed to UL 405.
4.3.4 Pressure-regulating valves shall be listed to UL 1468 and, where the Owner requires FM compliance, to FM 1126.
4.3.5 No component shall be substituted for a listed product with an unlisted or unapproved equivalent without the Engineer of Record's written approval and confirmation of acceptability by the AHJ.
4.4 FM Global Compliance
● Not required
○ Required — FM-approved components throughout
4.4.1 Where the building's property insurance carrier or the Owner requires FM Global compliance, all components shall be FM-approved in addition to UL-listed.
4.4.2 The Contractor shall confirm FM approval status for each product at procurement, not after installation.
NOTE FM and UL listings are not identical for standpipe components; the difference is particularly consequential for pressure-regulating valves, where the FM 1126 approval requires testing across a broader flow range than the UL 1468 listing alone. (4.4.3)
5 Classification
5.1 System Class
NOTE The class of standpipe system determines the size of the hose connection, the design flow and pressure, the locations of hose stations, and whether occupant use is contemplated. (5.1.1)
Class I (2-1/2 in. outlets for fire-department use)
Class II (1-1/2 in. occupant-use hose stations)
Class III (combined 2-1/2 in. and 1-1/2 in. outlets)
Per drawings
5.1.2 The class of standpipe system shall be confirmed against IBC Section 905 and the project program before design begins.
5.1.3 A building that requires a Class I standpipe under the code shall not be specified with only Class II hose stations.
5.1.4 A code-required Class II system in an occupancy where occupant use is contemplated shall not be replaced with a Class I system that omits the small hose stations without separately addressing the occupant-use requirement.
NOTE Class I systems provide 2-1/2 in. hose connections for use by fire-department personnel or by trained operators capable of handling 2-1/2 in. hose lines, and are the dominant configuration in modern construction because the IBC requires them in nearly every building large enough to require any standpipe. (5.1.5)
NOTE Class II systems provide 1-1/2 in. hose stations with a continuously charged hose and a nozzle for occupant and building-staff use, are required in very limited applications, and are largely disfavored in modern practice because of the risk that untrained occupants will attempt to fight a developed fire rather than evacuating. (5.1.6)
NOTE Class III systems provide both 2-1/2 in. fire-department connections and 1-1/2 in. occupant-use hose stations (typically the 1-1/2 in. station as a reducer or auxiliary outlet at the 2-1/2 in. valve), are required by some legacy codes for older high-rise buildings, and are rarely called for by new code-driven requirements. (5.1.7)
5.2 System Type
NOTE The standpipe system type defines how the riser is normally charged with water and how it responds to a hose-valve operation; NFPA 14 defines five system types, each appropriate to a particular building configuration, climate, and use case. (5.2.1)
Automatic-wet (continuously charged, immediate flow)
Automatic-dry (air-pressurized, dry-pipe valve trips on outlet operation)
Semi-automatic-dry (deluge valve trips on remote signal)
Manual-wet (low-pressure water, supply from FDC)
Manual-dry (no water, supply from FDC only)
Per drawings
5.2.2 The system type shall be selected per NFPA 14 so that the valving, supervisory arrangements, FDC arrangement, and response time when a hose valve is opened match the building configuration, climate, and use case.
NOTE Automatic-wet systems are continuously charged with water under supply pressure, discharge immediately when a hose valve opens, and are the dominant configuration in conditioned buildings and the standard arrangement for combined sprinkler/standpipe risers. (5.2.3)
NOTE Automatic-dry systems hold pressurized air or nitrogen above a dry-pipe valve that trips and admits water automatically when a hose valve is opened, and are used in unheated building portions where the standpipe cannot be reliably maintained above 40°F, delivering water with a brief trip-and-fill delay. (5.2.4)
NOTE Semi-automatic-dry systems are charged with air at lower pressure and require a deluge valve to be tripped (manually at the riser or by a remote-actuated detection device) to admit water, are used in special applications where a fully automatic-dry system is unsuitable, and are uncommon in current US practice. (5.2.5)
NOTE Manual-wet systems contain water at atmospheric or low pressure maintained by an automatic air vent or a small supply connection, are not pressurized until the fire department charges them through the FDC, are not credited under modern IBC requirements where a fully-pressurized standpipe is required, and are used in certain limited construction or as a temporary arrangement during partial occupancy. (5.2.6)
NOTE Manual-dry systems contain only air at atmospheric pressure and depend entirely on the fire department for water through the FDC; they are permitted by NFPA 14 in limited applications (typically unsprinklered open parking structures used solely by the fire department) and are explicitly not permitted for high-rise buildings or other applications contemplating rapid response by occupants or building staff. (5.2.7)
5.3 Combined or Dedicated Riser
NOTE Combined sprinkler/standpipe risers are economical and dominant in commercial high-rise construction because a single riser sized for the standpipe demand can readily satisfy the sprinkler design demand on each floor. (5.3.1)
● Combined sprinkler/standpipe riser (single riser feeds both systems)
○ Dedicated standpipe riser (separate from sprinkler system)
○ Both — combined riser at some locations, dedicated at others
Per drawings
5.3.2 A combined riser shall be sized for the greater of the standpipe demand or the sprinkler-plus-standpipe combined demand per NFPA 14 Section 7.10.
5.3.3 The sprinkler floor control valve assembly on a combined riser shall include a waterflow switch and a tamper switch on the floor branch from the combined riser.
5.3.4 Combined risers shall not be used where the standpipe demand and the sprinkler demand at different elevations cannot be coordinated within a single hydraulic gradient.
NOTE Dedicated standpipe risers are used where a combined arrangement is impractical, where the sprinkler and standpipe systems are zoned differently in a tall building, or where the Owner or AHJ requires separation, and they permit each system to be impaired independently for maintenance without affecting the other. (5.3.5)
6 Environmental and Service Conditions
6.1 Temperature Limitations
40100
40506070
Default: 40 °F
6.1.1 Automatic-wet standpipe systems and combined sprinkler/standpipe risers shall be installed only in spaces where the ambient temperature is reliably maintained above 40°F (4°C) throughout the year.
6.1.2 Where any portion of the piping is exposed to temperatures below 40°F — including open parking structures, exterior stair towers, unconditioned mechanical penthouses, attic spaces, and unheated walkways — an automatic-dry, manual-wet with reliable freeze protection, or manual-dry system shall be used for that portion.
6.2 Maximum System Working Pressure
NOTE In tall buildings the static pressure at the base of the standpipe under churn conditions can easily exceed 350 psi, and zoning the system is unavoidable. (6.2.1)
100400
100150175200250300350400
Default: 175 psi
Per drawings
● No — system pressure below 350 psi throughout
○ Yes — system zoned to keep each zone below 350 psi
○ Yes — PRVs installed on outlets in high-pressure zones
6.2.2 NFPA 14 limits the maximum static pressure in any portion of a standpipe system to 350 psi in standard listed components, and to lower limits at hose connections.
6.2.3 Where the static pressure at any point in the system exceeds 350 psi, the system shall be divided into pressure zones using a separate riser, a fire pump and break tank arrangement, or pressure-regulating devices listed for the higher inlet pressure.
6.3 Hose Connection Pressure Limits
100350
100125150175200250300350
Default: 175 psi
Per drawings
6.3.1 NFPA 14 limits the maximum static pressure at any 2-1/2 in. hose connection to 175 psi and the maximum residual pressure at flow to 175 psi unless listed pressure-regulating devices are provided.
6.3.2 The maximum static pressure at any 1-1/2 in. hose connection shall not exceed 100 psi, and the maximum residual pressure at flow shall not exceed 100 psi, unless a listed pressure-regulating device is provided.
6.3.3 Where the static pressure at any 1-1/2 in. or 2-1/2 in. outlet would exceed the applicable limit, a pressure-regulating valve (PRV) or pressure-restricting device (PRD) shall be installed on that outlet.
NOTE The 175 psi limit at the 2-1/2 in. connection was set because higher pressures produce hose stream reaction forces exceeding what a small fire-fighting team can safely control — a 2-1/2 in. hose at 175 psi residual already produces about 100 lbf — and the lower 100 psi limit at the 1-1/2 in. station reflects that occupants, not trained fire fighters, operate it. (6.3.4)
7 Design Basis
7.1 Demand at the Most Remote Hose Connection
1001000
1002505007501000
Default: 500 gpm
65175
65100125150175
Default: 100 psi
50200
5075100150200
Default: 100 gpm
50100
506575100
Default: 65 psi
7.1.1 For Class I and Class III systems, the design flow at the most hydraulically remote 2-1/2 in. hose connection shall be not less than 500 gpm at a residual pressure of not less than 100 psi, in accordance with NFPA 14.
NOTE 500 gpm at 100 psi is the bedrock requirement for fire-department use: it is enough to support one 2-1/2 in. attack line or two 1-3/4 in. lines for an interior fire-fighting operation at the most remote location in the building. (7.1.2)
7.1.3 For Class II systems, the design flow at the most remote 1-1/2 in. hose connection shall be not less than 100 gpm at a residual pressure of not less than 65 psi, per NFPA 14.
NOTE The 65 psi residual is the minimum required to develop an effective hose stream from the small-diameter occupant-use hose; below that pressure the stream loses range and the connection is functionally ineffective. (7.1.4)
7.2 Additional Standpipe Demand
1,000 gpm (non-sprinklered building)
1,250 gpm (fully sprinklered building)
Higher demand confirmed with AHJ
Per drawings
7.2.1 Where the building has more than one standpipe, the total demand at the base of the system shall include an additional 250 gpm at each additional standpipe, up to a maximum total system demand of 1,250 gpm for a building protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system, or 1,000 gpm for a non-sprinklered building, per NFPA 14.
NOTE The additional 250 gpm at each riser reflects the assumption that the fire department may attack the fire from more than one riser simultaneously, and the total-demand caps reflect the practical limits of fire-department staffing and water supply at a typical incident. (7.2.2)
7.3 Combined System Demand
○ Standpipe demand only (dedicated standpipe system)
○ Combined demand: standpipe + sprinkler at the most remote design area, applied simultaneously
● Greater of standpipe-only or combined, per NFPA 14 Section 7.10
7.3.1 Where the standpipe and sprinkler systems share a common water supply, whether on a combined riser or through separate risers from a common source, the design demand at the base of the supply shall be the greater of the standpipe demand alone or the standpipe demand at the building plus the sprinkler design demand at the most remote sprinkler design area, applied simultaneously, in accordance with NFPA 14 Section 7.10.
NOTE A common error is to size the supply for whichever single system has the larger demand without confirming that the combined demand does not exceed the available supply. (7.3.2)
7.4 Water Supply Verification
Public water main — flow test required
Public main with fire pump boost
Dedicated fire water storage tank and pump
Combined public main and storage tank with pump
Per drawings
20150
405060708090100120150
Default: 70 psi
Per drawings
10130
20304050607080100130
Default: 50 psi
Per drawings
7.4.1 Water supply data shall be obtained by a hydrant flow test conducted at or near the project site in accordance with NFPA 291.
7.4.2 The flow test shall have been conducted no more than 12 months prior to the date of submittal.
7.4.3 Static pressure, residual pressure, and pitot flow shall be recorded.
7.4.4 The designer shall plot the water supply curve and confirm that the system demand falls below the supply curve with a margin acceptable to the AHJ at the design point.
7.4.5 Where the available water supply does not meet the standpipe demand at design flow and residual pressure, a fire pump shall be provided per Fire Pumps. 7.5 Fire Pump Required
○ No — city pressure provides 100 psi residual at the most remote outlet
● Yes — fire pump required to meet NFPA 14 demand at remote outlet
Per drawings
7.5.1 Where the available water supply at design flow does not produce the required 100 psi residual at the most remote 2-1/2 in. hose connection, after subtracting elevation head and all friction losses back to the supply, a fire pump shall be provided to boost the pressure.
7.5.2 The Engineer shall confirm whether a pump is required during the schematic design phase.
NOTE In multistory and high-rise buildings a fire pump is almost always required because the elevation head alone from the base of the standpipe to the roof connection exceeds the available city pressure, and the pump room location, electrical service, and structural support requirements affect base-building design. (7.5.3)
8 Piping Materials
8.1 Steel Pipe
● ASTM A795 (black)
○ ASTM A795 (galvanized)
○ ASTM A53 (black)
○ ASTM A53 (galvanized)
○ Schedule 40 throughout (threaded, grooved, or welded)
● Schedule 10 for 2-1/2 in. and larger (grooved only); Schedule 40 for 2 in. and smaller
○ Schedule 10 grooved throughout (where permitted)
8.1.1 Steel pipe shall conform to ASTM A795, ASTM A53, or ASTM A135, as applicable.
NOTE ASTM A795 is the purpose-written standard for fire protection piping and is the preferred specification because it was developed for fire-protection service and includes both black and galvanized options with dimensional requirements aligned to sprinkler and standpipe industry fabrication practice. (8.1.2)
8.1.3 Steel pipe used in standpipe systems shall be predominantly Schedule 40 (standard wall) for sizes 4 in. and smaller.
8.1.4 Schedule 10 pipe with grooved couplings is permitted by NFPA 14 for sizes 2-1/2 in. and larger.
8.1.5 The Contractor shall not thread Schedule 10 pipe.
NOTE Threading Schedule 10 pipe violates the pipe listing and is a common and serious field error. (8.1.6)
8.1.7 Galvanized pipe shall be used where required for corrosion resistance, including in open parking structures, in exterior stair towers, in dry-pipe portions of automatic-dry standpipes, and in other environments with elevated corrosion potential.
NOTE Black steel pipe is appropriate for interior, conditioned, wet portions of the system. (8.1.8)
8.2 Pipe Pressure Rating
175500
175250300365400500
Default: 175 psi
8.2.1 The pipe rating shall match or exceed the maximum working pressure at every point in the system.
8.2.2 In tall buildings where the static pressure at the base of the standpipe can exceed 175 psi, the lower portions of the standpipe shall use pipe and fittings rated for the higher pressure.
8.2.3 NFPA 14 permits Schedule 40 steel pipe with grooved couplings up to 365 psi where listed for that pressure; pressures above that level require flanged or welded connections and pipe rated to the higher pressure.
8.2.4 The Contractor shall confirm pipe and coupling pressure ratings against the system pressure at each elevation before procurement.
8.3 Fittings
8.3.1 Steel fittings shall be listed for fire protection service and shall be compatible with the joining method and pipe schedule used.
8.3.2 Malleable iron threaded fittings conforming to ASME B16.3 shall be used with threaded Schedule 40 pipe.
8.3.3 Grooved mechanical couplings and fittings shall be listed and shall conform to ANSI/AWWA C606, and the manufacturer's installation torque specification shall be followed at every joint.
8.3.4 Welded fittings conforming to ASME B16.9 shall be used where welded joints are specified.
8.4 Joining Methods
Threaded (Schedule 40 only, 3 in. and smaller)
Grooved mechanical coupling (Schedule 10 or 40, 2-1/2 in. and larger)
Welded (Schedule 40, 2-1/2 in. and larger)
Flanged (high-pressure connections at base of riser)
Combination — grooved mains with threaded branches
8.4.1 Threaded joints shall use listed fire protection thread sealant applied to male threads only in accordance with the sealant manufacturer's instructions.
8.4.2 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape shall not be used as the sole thread sealant on fire protection threaded joints, because it does not meet the requirements for a listed thread compound.
8.4.3 Grooved mechanical couplings shall be either rigid or flexible as required by NFPA 14 and by the seismic design.
8.4.4 Flexible couplings shall be used to accommodate pipe expansion, vibration isolation, and seismic flexibility, particularly where the standpipe riser passes through floor slabs in seismic design categories that require flexibility.
8.4.5 Rigid couplings may be used throughout the system where flexible movement is not required.
8.4.6 Welding of fire protection pipe shall be performed by welders qualified in accordance with AWS D10.12.
8.4.7 Cut grooves shall not be welded.
NOTE Welded joints are commonly used at the base of standpipe risers in high-rise buildings where the pressure rating exceeds the rating of grooved couplings. (8.4.8)
9 Standpipe Risers and Piping Arrangement
9.1 Number and Location of Risers
9.1.1 The number and location of standpipe risers shall comply with IBC Section 905 and NFPA 14.
112
12345681012
Default: 2 risers
Per drawings
☑ At each floor level landing of every required exit stair
☐ On the roof where roof access is required by NFPA 14
☐ At each entrance to the mall (covered mall buildings)
☐ At each horizontal exit in compartmented buildings
☐ At intermediate floor levels in buildings with split-level construction
☐ Additional connections as required to meet 130 ft / 150 ft hose travel
Per drawings
9.1.2 Hose connections shall be located so that every portion of every floor is within 130 ft (sprinklered building) or 150 ft (unsprinklered building) of a hose connection, measured along a path of travel that an interior fire-fighting hose lay would actually follow, including around walls and through doorways.
9.1.3 The Designer shall verify the hose travel distance on each floor and add standpipes as needed.
9.1.4 Standpipe hose connections shall be provided at the following locations regardless of travel distance: in every required stair enclosure at the floor level landing; on every side of the wall adjacent to the stair exit in horizontal exit configurations; in covered mall buildings at each entrance to the mall from the exterior and at each interior entrance to the mall from a tenant space; on every level of a building including basements where required by NFPA 14; and on the roof of buildings with a roof slope less than 4:12 where required by NFPA 14 to permit fire-department roof operations.
9.1.5 Hose connections shall be located so that hose lays do not have to cross doors that swing shut, gates, fire shutters, or other obstacles that may impede or close on a charged hose line.
9.1.6 In stair enclosures the hose connection shall be located within the stair landing on the exit side of the door so that the hose can be advanced into the floor area without the stair door closing on it.
NOTE Verifying hose travel distance on each floor is one of the most frequent code-compliance issues during plan review. (9.1.7)
9.2 Hose Connection Elevation
3660
3642485460
Default: 48 inches
9.2.1 Hose valves shall be installed at a height of not less than 3 ft and not more than 5 ft above the finished floor, in accordance with NFPA 14.
NOTE This range is set so that the hose valve is reachable by a standing operator in turnout gear without bending or reaching above shoulder height while supporting the weight of a connected hose line. (9.2.2)
9.3 Minimum Riser Size
2 in. (Class II only)
4 in. (Class I or III, building height ≤ 100 ft)
6 in. (Class I or III, building height > 100 ft)
8 in. (high-demand or combined sprinkler/standpipe in tall buildings)
10 in. (very tall buildings or large floor plates)
Per drawings
9.3.1 The minimum standpipe riser size shall comply with NFPA 14.
9.3.2 For Class I and Class III risers, the minimum riser size shall be 4 in. nominal in buildings up to 100 ft in height (per NFPA 14 Section 7.6) and 6 in. nominal in buildings exceeding 100 ft.
9.3.3 For Class II risers, the minimum riser size shall be 2 in. nominal.
9.3.4 The Contractor shall not undersize the riser based on the minimum where the hydraulic demand requires a larger pipe.
NOTE Hydraulic calculations may require larger pipe sizes; the listed minimums are the floor, not the design value. (9.3.5)
10 Hose Connections and Hose Valves
10.1 Hose Valve Type and Size
● 2-1/2 in. (NFPA 14 standard for Class I and Class III)
● 1-1/2 in. (NFPA 14 standard for Class II)
● Angle valve with threaded outlet and chained cap (standard)
○ Pressure-regulating angle valve (PRV — used where outlet pressure exceeds NFPA 14 limit)
10.1.1 Hose valves at the 2-1/2 in. outlets shall be listed to UL 668 and shall be of the angle valve type with a hose threaded outlet and a permanently attached cap secured by a chain to prevent loss.
10.1.2 Globe and gate valve configurations shall not be used at fire-department hose outlets because they do not provide the required pressure-flow characteristics under sustained fire-department use.
NOTE The angle configuration directs the hose downward from the valve and provides a natural anchor point for the connected hose. (10.1.3)
10.2 Hose Connection Thread
● National Standard Thread (NST / NH)
○ Local fire department thread — confirm with AHJ
Per drawings
10.2.1 The thread on the hose valve outlet shall match the fire department's standard hose coupling.
10.2.2 National Standard Thread (NST), also called National Hose Thread (NH), shall be used unless the local fire department has adopted a different thread.
10.2.3 The Contractor shall confirm the local thread before procurement.
NOTE A number of older jurisdictions in the eastern United States have retained local thread standards, notably in New York City, Boston, and parts of Philadelphia and Chicago. (10.2.4)
10.3 Pressure-Regulating Devices
NOTE Two distinct types of pressure-regulating devices are recognized: pressure-restricting devices (PRDs) and pressure-regulating valves (PRVs). (10.3.1)
○ Not required — static pressure within NFPA 14 limits at all outlets
○ PRDs (pressure-restricting devices) — fixed orifice at outlet
● PRVs (pressure-regulating valves) — active regulation to set point
○ PRDs at lower floors, PRVs at high-pressure floors
Per drawings
75175
75100125150175
Default: 125 psi
Per drawings
10.3.2 A pressure-regulating device shall be installed on every hose connection where the static pressure at the connection exceeds 175 psi (for 2-1/2 in. outlets) or 100 psi (for 1-1/2 in. outlets), or where the residual pressure at design flow would exceed those limits, in accordance with NFPA 14.
NOTE A pressure-restricting device (PRD) is a fixed orifice or factory-set restriction at the hose valve outlet that limits the maximum flow and pressure, is field-settable to the design pressure during commissioning, does not actively regulate pressure as flow changes, is permitted where the static pressure does not exceed certain NFPA 14 limits, and is less expensive than a PRV. (10.3.3)
NOTE A pressure-regulating valve (PRV) actively regulates the downstream pressure to a set point regardless of changes in upstream pressure or downstream flow, is required where the static pressure at the inlet exceeds the limit at which a PRD is permitted, and is widely used in tall buildings where lower-level static pressure under churn would substantially exceed the listed 350 psi limit of standard hose valves. (10.3.4)
10.3.5 PRVs shall be listed to UL 1468 and, where FM approval is required, to FM 1126.
10.3.6 PRVs and PRDs shall be selected with their listing applied to the actual operating flow and inlet pressure at each outlet.
10.3.7 A PRV listed for an inlet pressure of 250 psi shall not be installed where the actual inlet pressure exceeds 250 psi.
10.3.8 The PRV selection schedule shall identify, for each outlet, the inlet static pressure, the inlet residual pressure at design flow, the required outlet set point, and the listed PRV model number with its applicable inlet pressure range.
10.3.9 Each PRV or PRD shall be commissioned individually during the field acceptance test by measuring the actual inlet and outlet pressure at the design flow.
10.3.10 The Contractor shall record the as-commissioned set point and the witnessed test data for each device.
NOTE A common deficiency is to install PRVs at the factory default setting without field-adjusting to the project-specific set point, which results in outlet pressures that do not match the design and may produce either dangerously high pressure or inadequate flow. (10.3.11)
10.4 Hose Connection Identification
Letter / number sign per riser and floor (e.g., "Standpipe A — Floor 12")
Color-coded floor indicator at riser
Pressure rating sign at each PRV outlet
All of the above
10.4.1 Each hose connection shall be identified with a permanent sign indicating the riser designation, the floor served, and, where pressure-regulating devices are installed, the outlet pressure at the design flow.
10.4.2 NFPA 14 requires a sign at each hose connection where a PRV is installed, indicating the listed outlet pressure at the design flow.
NOTE Identification signs assist fire-department personnel in confirming that they are operating from the correct connection, provide critical information when the connection is used during an actual fire, and are a routine acceptance-test deficiency when omitted. (10.4.3)
11 Fire Department Connections
11.1 FDC Required
11.1.1 A fire department connection (FDC) shall be provided for every standpipe system in accordance with NFPA 14 and the IFC.
NOTE The FDC allows the fire department to pump water into the standpipe through pumper apparatus from a hydrant, so that the fire department can boost the supply, can supply the standpipe if the building supply fails, and can charge a manual standpipe entirely. (11.1.2)
11.2 FDC Location and Accessibility
11.2.1 The FDC shall be located on the exterior of the building at a point accessible to fire apparatus and approved by the AHJ.
11.2.2 The Contractor shall confirm the required FDC location with the AHJ prior to installation.
11.2.3 The FDC shall be mounted with the inlet(s) between 18 in. and 44 in. above the finished grade.
11.2.4 The FDC connection shall not be obscured by landscaping, vehicles, signage, or other obstructions.
11.2.5 A listed check valve shall be installed in each FDC inlet.
11.2.6 The FDC connection shall drain automatically so that water does not accumulate in the FDC piping and freeze in cold climates.
NOTE In most jurisdictions the AHJ requires the FDC to be within 100 ft of a fire hydrant and clearly visible and accessible from the street or apparatus access road. (11.2.7)
11.3 FDC Type and Size
Siamese (two 2-1/2 in. inlets)
Single 4 in. LDH (large diameter hose) Storz inlet
Single 5 in. LDH Storz inlet
Siamese plus one 4 in. Storz LDH inlet
Multiple Siamese (four 2-1/2 in. inlets for high-flow systems)
Per drawings
National Standard Thread (NST / NH) on 2-1/2 in. inlets
Storz quick-connect on LDH inlet
Local fire department thread — confirm with AHJ
Per drawings
11.3.1 The FDC size and inlet configuration shall match the fire department's apparatus and supply hose.
11.3.2 The Contractor shall confirm the FDC inlet type with the AHJ before procurement.
11.3.3 An FDC that does not match the fire department's apparatus is functionally useless and may require replacement at the Contractor's expense.
NOTE Large-diameter hose (LDH) at 4 in. or 5 in. with Storz quick-connect couplings is now the dominant US fire-department standard for high-flow operations including standpipe supply, and most jurisdictions have adopted a 4 in. or 5 in. Storz FDC as the new-construction standard, while older Siamese FDCs (two 2-1/2 in. NST inlets) remain in service on existing buildings and in jurisdictions that have not adopted Storz. (11.3.4)
11.4 FDC Size for Standpipe Demand
2502500
50075010001250150020002500
Default: 1000 gpm
Per drawings
11.4.1 The total FDC inlet capacity shall be sized for the system demand, with one 2-1/2 in. inlet per 250 gpm of system demand at the FDC, or one 4 in. or 5 in. Storz inlet per 1,000 gpm, per NFPA 14.
NOTE For a Class I standpipe with a typical 750 gpm system demand (500 gpm at the first riser plus 250 gpm at a second), three 2-1/2 in. Siamese inlets or a single 4 in. Storz inlet is adequate, while larger high-rise systems with higher demand may require multiple Storz inlets or a combined Siamese-and-Storz arrangement. (11.4.2)
11.5 FDC Identification Signage
☑ "STANDPIPE" or "AUTO SPKR & STANDPIPE" identification
☐ Zone or area served (multi-FDC buildings)
☐ Required inlet pressure at FDC for design flow
☐ Caps chained to FDC body
11.5.1 The FDC shall be identified with a sign reading "STANDPIPE" or "AUTO SPKR & STANDPIPE" (for a combined system), in letters not smaller than 1 in. in height, permanently attached to the FDC body or to the building adjacent to the FDC, per NFPA 14.
11.5.2 Where the building is served by multiple FDCs, each FDC shall additionally indicate the zone or area served.
11.5.3 A sign indicating the design pressure at the FDC inlet shall be provided so that fire-department pumper operators can set their discharge pressure appropriately for the standpipe.
11.5.4 The caps on all FDC inlets shall be chained to the FDC body to prevent loss.
11.5.5 The Contractor shall inspect all FDC caps at substantial completion and shall replace any cap that is missing or damaged.
NOTE Under-pressuring the FDC results in inadequate flow at upper-floor hose connections and over-pressuring may damage the system; uncapped FDC inlets allow debris, insects, and vandalism to render the FDC inoperable. (11.5.6)
12 Valves, Drains, and Specialties
12.1 System Control Valve
● OS&Y gate valve (interior riser)
○ Post-indicator valve (exterior / yard service)
○ Indicating butterfly valve with supervisory switch
12.1.1 The standpipe water supply shall be controlled by a listed indicating control valve installed at the point where the supply enters the system.
12.1.2 The control valve shall be of the indicating type, meaning its open or closed status is visually evident from the valve itself, and shall be listed for fire protection service.
NOTE The most common indicating valves are the OS&Y (outside screw and yoke) gate valve and the post-indicator valve (PIV) for underground or exterior service, though indicating butterfly valves with position indicators are also widely used on interior risers. (12.1.3)
12.2 Valve Supervision
☑ System main control valve
☐ Each floor or zone control valve (combined sprinkler/standpipe)
☐ FDC isolation valves
☐ Backflow preventer isolation valves (if used)
☐ Hose valve isolation valves (if used)
12.2.1 The system control valve and all other valves controlling water to any portion of the standpipe system shall be supervised open.
12.2.2 Valve supervision shall be provided by an electrically supervised tamper switch connected to the building fire alarm system or to an approved supervising station, in accordance with NFPA 72 and NFPA 14.
12.2.3 The tamper switch shall send a supervisory signal to the fire alarm control panel within two full turns of the valve handwheel from the fully open position.
12.3 Main Drain and Test Connection
Floor drain — interior
Exterior discharge at grade
Discharge to storm system
Sump or tank for water reclamation
Per drawings
12.3.1 A main drain valve of a size not smaller than 2 in. shall be provided to allow the system to be drained completely for maintenance.
12.3.2 The main drain discharge shall terminate at a location where water can be discharged safely without causing property damage, and the discharge volume during a full drain of a tall standpipe shall be accommodated.
12.3.3 A test connection shall be provided at the top of each standpipe riser, or at the most hydraulically remote hose connection, to permit periodic flow testing per NFPA 25.
12.3.4 The test connection shall be a listed 2-1/2 in. (or larger) outlet equipped with a pressure gauge connection so that residual pressure can be measured at full design flow.
NOTE On dry standpipes (manual-dry or automatic-dry), the test connection also serves as the air-charging and supervisory connection. (12.3.5)
12.4 Roof Manifold Test Connection
● Yes — roof hose connection and test outlet
○ No — roof access not required for this building per NFPA 14
12.4.1 In buildings where a standpipe outlet is provided at the roof, the roof connection shall include both a hose valve for fire-department use and a test connection capable of accommodating the full design flow during annual NFPA 25 flow testing.
NOTE The roof manifold provides a convenient and high-elevation point for flow testing the standpipe at the most hydraulically demanding condition without disrupting building occupants. (12.4.2)
13 Alarm and Supervisory Devices
13.1 Waterflow Alarm
☑ Waterflow switch on dedicated standpipe riser
☐ Waterflow detection at sprinkler floor branches (combined risers)
☐ Local water motor gong (where required by AHJ)
13.1.1 Every automatic-wet standpipe system, and every wet portion of a combined sprinkler/standpipe riser, shall be equipped with a waterflow alarm device that produces a local audible alarm at the building when waterflow occurs, in accordance with NFPA 14 and NFPA 72.
13.1.2 On combined sprinkler/standpipe risers the waterflow alarm function is typically provided by the sprinkler alarm check valve on each floor branch (see Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems); on dedicated standpipe risers a separate waterflow switch shall be provided on the standpipe riser. 13.1.3 The waterflow switch shall be installed downstream of the system control valve and shall send an electrical signal to the fire alarm control panel within 90 seconds of sustained flow.
13.1.4 The waterflow switch shall have a retard feature or shall be wired through a delay relay to prevent false alarms from transient pressure fluctuations.
13.2 Dry-Pipe Supervisory Pressure
2060
2030405060
Default: 40 psi
13.2.1 Automatic-dry and semi-automatic-dry standpipes shall be equipped with a low-air supervisory pressure switch wired to the fire alarm system.
13.2.2 Loss of supervisory air pressure shall produce a supervisory signal to the fire alarm panel.
13.2.3 The supervisory air pressure shall be maintained by a dedicated air compressor or by nitrogen from a regulated cylinder, in accordance with NFPA 14.
NOTE Loss of supervisory air pressure indicates either a leak in the system or an actuated dry-pipe valve; the air compressor is typically integral to the dry-pipe valve assembly. (13.2.4)
13.3 Pressure Gauges
13.3.1 Pressure gauges shall be provided at the supply side of the system control valve, at the system side of each control valve, at each floor control valve assembly (combined risers), at the top of each standpipe, and at each main drain test connection.
13.3.2 Gauges shall have a full-scale range of not less than twice the normal system pressure.
13.3.3 Gauges shall be provided with a listed gauge cock to allow the gauge to be isolated for replacement without draining the system.
NOTE A full-scale range of at least twice the normal system pressure keeps the gauge accurate at normal operating conditions while still reading in the event of a pressure surge. (13.3.4)
13.4.1 A hydraulic design information sign shall be permanently affixed at each standpipe riser and at the FDC in accordance with NFPA 14.
13.4.2 The sign at the riser shall state the design basis information including the required flow at the most remote hose connection (gpm), the required residual pressure at the most remote hose connection (psi), the total system demand (gpm), the inlet pressure required at the FDC to produce the design flow, and the location of any pressure zones.
13.4.3 The sign at the FDC shall additionally state the required inlet pressure that the fire department must apply at the FDC to produce the design flow at the most remote hose connection.
NOTE These signs are the first reference for any fire-fighter or maintenance technician confronting an unfamiliar system. (13.4.4)
14 Hangers and Seismic Bracing
14.1 Hanger Design and Spacing
14.1.1 Hangers shall be listed for fire protection use and shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 and the hanger manufacturer's listing.
14.1.2 Hangers shall be capable of supporting five times the weight of the water-filled pipe plus 250 lb at each point of support.
14.1.3 Vertical standpipe risers shall be supported at intervals not exceeding those specified in NFPA 14, typically a riser clamp at each floor with additional supports at the base of the riser to transfer vertical load to the building structure.
14.1.4 Horizontal piping serving hose connections shall be supported by listed hangers at the spacing intervals defined by NFPA 13, generally not exceeding 12 ft for 1-1/4 in. and smaller pipe and not exceeding 15 ft for 1-1/2 in. and larger pipe.
14.2 Seismic Bracing
○ Not required — Seismic Design Category A or B
● Required — Seismic Design Category C, D, E, or F per NFPA 13 / 14
Per drawings
14.2.1 Where the project's Seismic Design Category requires seismic bracing of fire-protection piping, the bracing shall comply with NFPA 13 Chapter 18 (referenced by NFPA 14) and the project's structural seismic design.
14.2.2 The structural engineer shall confirm that the building structure can support the calculated seismic loads at every riser clamp.
NOTE Standpipe risers in tall buildings impose substantial seismic forces on their supports. (14.2.3)
15 Construction Phasing for High-Rise Buildings
15.1 Standpipe During Construction
☑ Riser extended within one floor of highest working level
☐ 2-1/2 in. hose connection on the most recently completed floor below the working level
☐ FDC accessible at the exterior of the building
☐ Adequate water supply at the FDC for fire-department operations
☐ Construction phasing plan submitted and approved by AHJ
15.1.1 In high-rise buildings, IFC Chapter 33 and NFPA 14 Chapter 7 require that a temporary or partial standpipe be in service during construction to provide fire-protection coverage to the upper floors while the building is being built.
15.1.2 As the structure rises, the standpipe shall be extended to within one floor of the highest working level, and the most recently completed floor below shall have a usable 2-1/2 in. hose connection.
15.1.3 The construction-phase standpipe shall have hose connections at every required floor, a charged or readily-charged water supply, and an accessible FDC at the exterior.
15.1.4 The Contractor shall submit a construction phasing plan showing the elevation of the standpipe at each major construction milestone.
NOTE The construction-phase standpipe is a serviceable Class I system intended for fire-department use during a construction fire; it need not have all features of the permanent system, as PRVs, the fire pump connection, and the final FDC arrangement may be completed later. (15.1.5)
16 Testing
16.1 Flushing
16.1.1 The standpipe system shall be flushed before any final connections are made, to remove debris that may have entered the piping during installation.
16.1.2 Flushing shall be performed at a flow rate not less than the system design flow and shall continue until the discharge runs clear.
NOTE Flushing prior to FDC connection is particularly important because debris carried into the FDC piping will be pushed back into the fire department's hose during pumping, fouling pumper apparatus and reducing the supply to the building. (16.1.3)
16.2 Hydrostatic Test
200500
200250300350400450500
Default: 200 psi
16.2.1 All new standpipe piping shall be hydrostatically tested at not less than 200 psi or 50 psi above the maximum system working pressure, whichever is greater, for 2 hours with no observed pressure drop, in accordance with NFPA 14.
16.2.2 In tall buildings where the static pressure at the base of the standpipe under churn conditions exceeds 150 psi, the hydrostatic test pressure at the base of the riser shall be increased accordingly so that the test margin is maintained at every elevation of the standpipe.
16.3 Flow Test
● Calibrated pitot tube on hose stream at most remote outlet
○ Calibrated flow meter on test loop
○ Both — flow meter and pitot for verification
16.3.1 The standpipe system shall be flow tested at the most hydraulically remote 2-1/2 in. hose connection, and at the most remote 1-1/2 in. hose connection for Class II / III systems, to demonstrate that the system delivers the design flow at the design residual pressure.
16.3.2 The flow test shall be conducted with the system supplied from its normal water source and with any fire pump in normal automatic operation.
16.3.3 Flow shall be measured by calibrated pitot tube on a hose stream discharged through 2-1/2 in. hose with a listed combination nozzle, or by a calibrated flow meter on a test loop.
16.3.4 Residual pressure shall be measured at the test outlet by a calibrated pressure gauge.
16.3.5 The flow test shall verify the NFPA 14 demand criteria: at least 500 gpm at 100 psi at the most remote 2-1/2 in. connection (Class I and III), and at least 100 gpm at 65 psi at the most remote 1-1/2 in. connection (Class II and III).
16.3.6 Where multiple risers are flowed simultaneously per the system design, the test shall include simultaneous flow from each riser.
NOTE Failure to achieve the design flow and pressure at the field acceptance test is a serious deficiency that almost always requires modification of the water supply, the fire pump, the riser sizing, or the pressure-regulating devices. (16.3.7)
16.4 FDC Test
16.4.1 The FDC shall be field tested by pumping water into the FDC at the design inlet pressure and verifying that the design flow and pressure are produced at the most remote hose connection.
16.4.2 The Contractor shall arrange the test with the fire department or with a pumper apparatus and shall record the inlet pressure at the FDC, the resulting flow, and the resulting residual pressure at the most remote hose connection.
NOTE This test simulates the conditions under which the FDC will actually be used by the fire department. (16.4.3)
16.5 Pressure-Regulating Device Commissioning
● Engineer of Record and AHJ
○ AHJ only
○ Engineer of Record only
○ Manufacturer's representative witnessing
16.5.1 Each PRV or PRD shall be individually commissioned by measuring the actual inlet pressure under static and design-flow conditions, measuring the actual outlet pressure, and adjusting the device set point as needed to match the design outlet pressure.
16.5.2 The Contractor shall record the as-commissioned set point and the witnessed test data for each device and shall affix a sign at each device indicating the listed outlet pressure at the design flow.
16.6 Periodic Testing — NFPA 25
16.6.1 The Owner shall be advised in the operation and maintenance manual that NFPA 25 requires:
- Quarterly inspection of hose connections, hose valves, and FDC for accessibility, identification, and condition
- Annual flow test of one outlet on each riser, alternating each year so that all outlets are tested over a multi-year cycle
- 5-year hydrostatic test of manual-dry standpipes at 200 psi (or 50 psi above static, whichever is greater) for 2 hours
- 5-year internal inspection of the standpipe interior at the top of the riser
16.6.2 The Contractor shall provide a clear schedule of the NFPA 25 periodic testing requirements listed above in the closeout package.
16.6.3 The Contractor shall provide an inspection tag at each riser indicating the date of the last test and the date of the next test due.
17 Installation
17.1 Pipe Routing
17.1.1 Standpipe risers shall be routed within stair enclosures wherever possible so that the standpipe is accessible to the fire department from the protected stair during a fire.
17.1.2 Where the stair enclosure is not available, the standpipe shall be routed within a 2-hour rated shaft or other protected enclosure.
17.1.3 The standpipe shall not be routed through unprotected occupied space where a fire in the surrounding area could impair access to the hose connections during the very emergency the system is intended to serve.
17.2 Penetrations
17.2.1 Penetrations of the standpipe through floor slabs and through fire-rated walls and shafts shall be firestopped with listed firestop systems matching the rating of the penetrated assembly.
NOTE Standpipe penetrations are a routine source of fire-rating deficiencies because the steel pipe expands and contracts with temperature changes, and an inadequately detailed firestop system may not maintain its rating over the life of the building. (17.2.2)
17.3 Identification
17.3.1 Each standpipe riser shall be permanently identified with a letter or number designation at the base of the riser and at each floor level.
17.3.2 The riser identification shall match the working drawings and the hydraulic design information sign.
17.3.3 Each hose connection shall be identified per NFPA 14, including the riser designation, the floor served, and the listed outlet pressure where a PRV is installed.
17.4 Coordination with Other Trades
17.4.1 The standpipe Contractor shall coordinate early and continuously with the architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical trades.
17.4.2 Hose connection locations in stair enclosures shall be coordinated with stair handrail design and stair door swing so that a connected hose can be advanced out of the stair without binding on the door or rail.
17.4.3 Standpipe risers in shafts shall be coordinated with elevator, mechanical, and electrical shafts so that access to the riser is maintained for inspection and maintenance.
18 Delivery, Storage, and Handling
18.1 Standpipe system components shall be delivered to the site only when the building structure is ready to receive them.
18.2 Steel pipe shall be stored off the ground on dunnage, capped at both ends, and protected from weather to minimize internal corrosion before installation.
18.3 Hose valves, PRVs, FDCs, and other listed devices shall be stored indoors in a dry, protected environment until installed.
18.4 Pipe cut and threaded on the project site shall have all cutting oil, threading lubricant, and debris removed before assembly.
NOTE Damage to listed components in unprotected on-site storage is a common source of warranty disputes and field replacements, and residual cutting oil left in the pipe interior is a leading cause of obstructed hose valves and PRVs at the field acceptance test. (18.5)
19 Warranty
1 year from substantial completion (standard)
2 years from substantial completion
Manufacturer's standard warranty (verify period and conditions)
19.1 The Contractor shall provide a warranty covering all standpipe system components for a period of not less than 1 year from the date of substantial completion.
19.2 The warranty shall cover material and workmanship defects, the operation of all listed devices (hose valves, PRVs, FDC, control valves, supervisory switches), and the integrity of all joints under the system working pressure.
19.3 Pressure-regulating devices that drift from their commissioned set point during the warranty period shall be re-commissioned at no cost to the Owner.
20 Spare Parts
20.1 The Contractor shall provide the following spare parts at substantial completion, packaged in labeled containers and delivered to the Owner:
- One spare hose valve cap and chain for each size of hose connection in the building
- One spare FDC cap and chain for each FDC inlet type
- One spare gauge for each pressure gauge type in the system
- One spare PRV / PRD diaphragm or repair kit (where the manufacturer supplies these as a serviceable assembly)
- One sprinkler wrench (where the standpipe is part of a combined sprinkler/standpipe system)
☑ Hose valve caps and chains
☐ FDC caps and chains
☐ Pressure gauges
☐ PRV / PRD repair kits or diaphragms
☐ Sprinkler wrench (combined systems)
20.2 The Contractor shall provide the spare parts listed above at substantial completion, packaged in labeled containers and delivered to the Owner.
20.3 The Owner shall be advised that the spare parts inventory shall be replenished as items are consumed during NFPA 25 testing and maintenance over the life of the installation, and that PRV / PRD replacement diaphragms have a finite shelf life and shall be rotated periodically to ensure a usable spare is always available.