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#92 - Standpipe Systems (Part 3): More Standpipe System Components and How to Maintain Them
#92 - Standpipe Systems (Part 3): More Standpipe System Components and How to Maintain Them

Hose Valves
7.3.1.1 Hose connections and hose stations shall be unobstructed and shall be located not less than 3 ft. (0.9 m) or more than 5 ft. (1.5 m) above the floor.
7.3.1.1.1 This dimension shall be measured from the floor to the center of the hose valve.
7.3.1.2 The hose connection shall not be obstructed by any closed or open stairwell door(s) or other objects on the landing.
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- In Class I systems, 2.5” hose connections must be no longer than a travel distance of 200’ apart in sprinklered buildings and 130’ apart in non-sprinklered buildings, and they must be present in each exit passageway (except in covered mall buildings). In addition, they are required at horizontal exits (these are junctures to different parts of the same floor, often separated by a fire-rated door), and exit stairwells. Note that section 905.4 of the International Building Code contains additional requirements for the placement of hose connections, so find out whether your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) has adopted the IBC.
- In Class II systems, there must be enough hose stations to ensure “that all portions of each floor” of the building are within 130’ of a hose station with a 1.5” hose, and within 120’ of a station with less than a 1.5” hose.
- The requirements for Class III systems vary. The system must have both 2.5” and 1.5” connections. If a building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system, hose stations are not required if the 2.5” hose connections have a reducer to 1.5” and a cap with a chain, and the travel restrictions for Class II systems don’t apply. Otherwise, the required placement of connections follows the respective requirements for Class I sprinklered or non-sprinklered buildings above.
6.2.3.1 Hose connections shall be inspected annually for the following conditions:
(1) Valve cap(s) missing or damaged
(2) Fire hose connection damaged
(3) Valve handles missing or damaged
(4) Cap gaskets missing or deteriorated
(5) Valve leaking
(6) Visible and physical obstructions to hose connections
(7) Pressure restricting device missing
(8) Manual, semiautomatic, or dry standpipe valve does not operate smoothly
(9) Valve threads damaged
13.6.1.1 Hose valves shall be inspected quarterly to verify that the valves are in the following condition:
(1) Hose caps are in place and not damaged.
(2) Hose threads are not damaged.
(3) Valve handles are present and not damaged.
(4) Gaskets are not damaged or showing signs of deterioration.
(5) No leaks are present.
(6) Valves are not obstructed or otherwise not capable of normal operation.
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Hose and Hose Stations
6.2.5.1 Hose shall be inspected annually for the following conditions as required by NFPA 1962:
(1) Mildew, cuts, abrasions, and deterioration
(2) Couplings hose threads damaged
(3) Gaskets missing or deteriorated
(4) Incompatible threads on coupling
(5) Hose not connected to hose rack nipple or valve
(6) Hose test outdated
6.2.6.1 Hose nozzles shall be inspected annually for the following conditions:
(1) Hose nozzle missing
(2) Gasket missing or deteriorated
(3) Obstructions
(4) Does not operate smoothly
6.2.7.1 Hose storage devices shall be inspected annually for the following conditions:
(1) Difficult to operate
(2) Damaged
(3) Visible or physical obstruction
(4) Hose improperly racked or rolled
(5) Nozzle clip not in place and nozzle not correctly contained
(6) Hose rack enclosed in cabinet not swinging out at least 90 degrees
6.2.8.1 Cabinets shall be inspected annually for the following conditions:
(1) Overall for corroded or damaged parts
(2) Difficult to open
(3) Cabinet door not opening fully
(4) Door glazing cracked or broken
(5) Lock on break glass–type cabinet not functioning properly
(6) Glass break device missing or not attached
(7) Not properly identified as containing fire equipment
(8) Visible or physical obstructions
(9) All valves, hose, nozzles, fire extinguishers, and so forth, easily accessible
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Standpipe System Valves
Control valves
- Outside screw and yoke (OS&Y) valves have a threaded stem that pops out of the valve to indicate that it is open.
- Butterfly valves use an internal gate to block water. The gate is attached to a visible, external paddle. When this paddle runs parallel the pipe, you know that the valve is open; a perpendicular orientation to the pipe means it’s closed.
13.3.2.1 All valves shall be inspected weekly.
13.3.2.1.1 Valves secured with locks or supervised in accordance with applicable NFPA standards shall be permitted to be inspected monthly.
13.3.2.1.2 Valves that are electrically supervised shall be permitted to be inspected quarterly.
13.3.2.1.3 Control valve supervisory alarm devices shall be inspected quarterly to verify that they are free of physical damage.
13.3.2.1.4 After any alterations or repairs, an inspection shall be made by the property owner or designated representative to ensure that the system is in service and all valves are in the normal position and properly sealed, locked, or electrically supervised.
13.3.2.2* The valve inspection shall verify that the valves are in the following condition:
(1) In the normal open or closed position
(2) * Sealed, locked, or supervised
(3) Accessible
(4) Post indicator valves (PIVs) are provided with correct wrenches
(5) Free from external leaks
(6) Provided with applicable identification
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Pressure-restricting valves
- Direct acting pressure valves “take a certain amount of pressure away from the water as it moves through the valve … The pressure drop across the device is the same regardless of the incoming pressure.” (Isman, pp. 174-175)
- Pilot-operated valves adjust “the pressure drop so that the pressure is constant on the downstream side regardless of incoming pressure.” (Isman, p. 174)
Pressure-reducing valves at hose stations:
13.5.2.1 All devices shall be inspected annually to verify the following:
(1) The handwheel is not broken or missing.
(2) The outlet hose threads are not damaged.
(3) No leaks are present.
(4) The hose adapter and the cap are not missing.
Pressure-reducing valves at hose connections:
13.5.1.1 All valves shall be inspected quarterly to verify that the valves are in the following condition:
(1) In the open position
(2) Not leaking
(3) Maintaining downstream pressures in accordance with the design criteria
(4) Handwheels installed and unbroken
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Preaction and deluge valves (semiautomatic dry systems only)
13.4.3.1.1/13.4.4.1.1 Valve enclosures for preaction/deluge valves subject to freezing shall be inspected daily during cold weather to verify a minimum temperature of 40°F (4.0°C).
13.4.3.1.1.1/13.4.4.1.1.1 Valve enclosures equipped with low-temperature alarms shall be inspected weekly.
13.4.3.1.2/13.4.4.1.2 Low-temperature alarms, if installed in valve enclosures, shall be inspected annually at the beginning of the heating season to verify that they are free of physical damage.
13.4.3.1.3/13.4.4.1.3 The preaction/deluge valve shall be externally inspected monthly to verify the following:
(1) The valve is free from physical damage.
(2) All trim valves are in the appropriate open or closed position.
(3) The valve seat is not leaking.
(4) Electrical components are in service.
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Check valves
13.4.2.1 Inspection. Valves shall be inspected internally every 5 years to verify that all of the valve’s components operate correctly.
13.4.2.2 Maintenance Internal components shall be cleaned, repaired, or replaced as necessary in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Dry pipe valves (automatic dry standpipe systems only)
13.4.5.1.3 The dry pipe valve shall be externally inspected monthly to verify the following:
(1) The valve is free of physical damage.
(2) All trim valves are in the appropriate open or closed position.
(3) The intermediate chamber is not leaking.
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- Isman, Kenneth E. Standpipe Systems for Fire Protection. Springer International Publishing.
- Alpert, Rick. “Standpipe Systems: Design and Installation Requirements.” Sprinkler Age. https://sprinklerage.com/standpipe-systems-design-installation-requirements/
- “All FMs need to know about standpipes for firefighting.” FMLink. https://fmlink.com/articles/all-fms-need-to-know-about-standpipes-for-fire-fighting/
- International Building Code 2015 (IBC 2015)
- NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems (2016)
- NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems