When and Where are Standpipes required?
Have you ever wondered what the purpose of the giant standing pipe in the corner was? Was that just a bad building design or an aftermath add on? Well the answer is that it's not a bad design and it's definitely meant to be there. In this article we will go through what these pipes are, when building codes require them, and where you can mostly locate them.
What are Standpipes?
The National Fire Protection System 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, defines a standpipe system as, “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 water can be discharged in streams through attached hose and nozzles, for the purposes of extinguishing a fire, thereby protecting a building or structure and its contents in addition to protecting the occupants.
In simpler words, Standpipes are vertical pipes that extend from a water supply. We can compare its similarity to fire hydrants we typically see outside do, they give firefighters ammunition to put out fires. Firefighters can connect their hoses directly to the pipe allowing manual applications of water.
So what you are saying is there will always be water flow from standpipes? No, there are four different types of standpipe each working differently with pressure and water flow.
Four Types of Standpipes
- Wet System
- Automatic Dry Standpipe
- Semi-Automatic Dry Standpipe
- Manual Dry Standpipe
Wet Standpipe Systems
Wet standpipe systems have pressurized water at all times, when an outlet is opened water will immediately flow. This helps firefighters by not having to supply water and pressure to the system to get them to function.
Automatic Dry Standpipe
Automatic Dry is a standpipe system that is connected to a permanent water supply. It will fill with water when the hose station outlet is opened, tripping the preaction valve.
Semi-Automatic Dry Standpipe
Semi-automatic dry is a standpipe system that is connected to a permanent water supply, with a valve similar to a deluge valve. This action will be activated when a remote operating device is operated.
Manual Dry Standpipe
Manual dry is a standpipe type that is NOT connected to a permanent water supply, the firefighters must connect their hose to a hydrant to supply the water.
Where are Standpipes located?
Most standpipes can be found in stairwells, often located between each pair of floors. This gives firefighters access to connect their hoses on any given floor.
When are standpipes required?
According to NFPA, standpipes are required in 5 occasions:
- More than three stories above grade where the building is protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- More than two stories above grade where the building is protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- More than 50ft (15m) above grade & containing intermediate stories or balconies
- More than one story below grade
- More than 20ft (6.1m) below grade
They are also required in high-rise buildings, detention, correctional occupancies, airport terminals and piers. A few questions we’ve noticed are when are standpipes required in stairwells? When are standpipes required in buildings? (Please see above) The simple answer is any stairwells that are in a building with two-three stories above grade, more than 50ft above grade, more than one store below grade and more than 20ft below grade.
Standpipe Design and Installation
In conclusion, if you are looking into when, what, and where a standpipe is needed then it might be right to say you need to find someone to help design and prepare installation. If it's for your residential, commercial or industrial building contact us by filling out a quick form for a free quote or if you are in the beginning stages then feel free to email or call us (805) 232-3216.
