Standpipes and Fire Hoses
| Description | Classifications |
Sterling Fire & Safety Services is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is an international, non-profit, membership organization founded in 1896 to protect people, their property, and the environment from destructive fire. The inspection, testing and maintenance of standpipes and fire hoses must conform to NFPA 14, as required by the B.C. Fire Code.
Standpipes and fire hoses are required to be inspected and/or tested on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis. They also require a thorough flow testing every 5 years. Sterling Fire offers training for staff to enable them to conduct the weekly and monthly quick checks.
Standpipes are an arrangement of piping, valves, hose connections and allied equipment installed in a building or structure with the hose connections located in such a manner that the water can be discharged through attached hoses and nozzles. Standpipe systems provide fire hose connections within a building or industrial complex. These hose connections are fed by a supply pipe (often referred to as a riser) and are located throughout the facility, usually on each floor. In some large industrial areas and on piers, the hose connections might be outside.
The four methods in which water is supplied to standpipes are as follows:
- Wet standpipe in which water is supplied directly from a water main (or through a fire pump if higher pressures are needed). The water supply valve is always open and the system is always under water pressure.
- Dry standpipe in which there is no permanent water supply. Water must be supplied by the fire department.
- Dry standpipe in which a connection to a water main is provided by a manual control valve which is kept closed. The standpipe system remains dry until needed.
- Dry standpipe in which the valve controlling water to the system is automatic, as with a dry pipe valve. Water is admitted to the system when a hose valve is opened and air pressure in the system is released.
Wet standpipes are the most common and are the preferred type. However, dry standpipes might be necessary in unheated areas.
There are three use classifications for standpipes. They are based on whether the fire department or the building occupants are expected to use the standpipe hose. These three classifications are:
Class I Standpipe providing 2-˝ in. hose connections or 2-˝ in. hose stations supplied from the standpipe or combined riser designed for use by fire department or fire brigade personnel trained in the use of large hose streams (2-˝-inch).
Class II Standpipe providing 1-˝ in. hose stations supplied from a standpipe, combined riser or sprinkler system. Hose and nozzle are attached to the standpipe ready for occupant use.
Class III Standpipe providing 1-˝ in. and 2-˝ in. hose stations supplied from a standpipe or combination riser for use by building occupants and a larger volume of water for use by fire departments or fire brigade personnel trained in the use of larger hose streams.
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