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A Fire Department Connection Cheatsheet

8/21/2019

 
There’s no real way around it: I love cheatsheets.

In a design course in college we received 5x7 index cards to include any handwritten notes we wanted for an upcoming final. I wrote so much on that card with handwriting that was effectively size-4 font that it could have been displayed as a work of art. 

Nearly an entire semester summarized to a 5x7 card. It was a thing of beauty. 

While I no longer have a need to write so small, I still enjoy having information organized so that it is extremely easy to access. 

If you haven’t seen these before, here are a couple cheatsheets I’ve created so far:
Summary of Differences of NFPA 13, 13R, and 13D
Sprinklers & Passive Fire Protection Options

Fire Department Connection
GET FDC PDF CHEATSHEET

​Last week I covered important considerations surrounding fire department connections from a design perspective, which was a joint-effort with QRFS covering the topic.

At some point I’ll compile the best blog posts and resources into a hardcover reference book. For this week, however, here’s a cheatsheet on requirements surrounding fire department connections across NFPA 13R, NFPA 13, and NFPA 14:
Value
NFPA 13R
NFPA 13
NFPA 14
Purpose
​To supplement pressure (not based on system demand)
[same as NFPA 13]
To supplement pressure (not based on system demand)
[NFPA 13 2019 A.16.12.4]
To provide primary (manual) or secondary (automatic) supply to standpipes
[NFPA 14 2019 3.3.4.1.2]
When Required
All buildings except:
- single story buildings not exceeding 2,000 sqft (185 m2)
[NFPA 13R 2002 6.6.4.1, 2007 6.7.4.1, 2010-19 6.11.1]​
All buildings except:
- Remote areas inaccessible for fire department support
- large-capacity deluge systems exceeding pump capacity of F.D.
- single story buildings not exceeding 2,000 sqft (185 m2)
[NFPA 13 2002 8.16.2.2, 2007-16 8.17.2.2, 2019 16.12.2]
​Always required.
[NFPA 14 2000 2.8, 2003-19 4.8]
Caps
No requirement.
Approved plugs or caps, secured, with easy removal by fire department.
 [NFPA 13 2002 6.8.4, 2007-13 6.8.2, 2016 6.7.2, 2019 16.12.3.2]
Approved plugs or caps, secured, with easy removal by fire department.
[NFPA 14 2000 2-8.2, 2003 4.8.2.1, 2007-13 4.7.3, 2016 4.8.3, 2019 4.8.3]
Check Valve
​In accessible location with automatic drain valve where subject to freezing.
[NFPA 13R 2007 6.7.4.4, 2010-19 6.11.4]
In accessible location with automatic drain valve where subject to freezing.
[NFPA 13 2002 8.16.2.5 & .6, 2007-16 8.17.2.5 & .6, 2019 16.12.6 & .7]
Installed as close as possible to fire department connection inlets.
[NFPA 14 2000 4-3.2, 2003 6.3.2, 2007-13 6.4.2, 2016-19 6.4.2.1]
In accessible location with automatic drain valve where subject to freezing.
[NFPA 14 2000 4-3.4, 2003 6.3.4, 2007-2019 6.4.4]
Clearance
No specific guidance.
Such that “hose lines can be readily and conveniently attached without interference from nearby objects, including buildings, fences, posts, or other FDCs”
[NFPA 13 2002 8.16.2.4.6, 2007-16 8.17.2.1, 2019 16.12.1]
Such that “hose lines can be readily and conveniently attached without interference from nearby objects, including buildings, fences, posts, or other FDCs”
[NFPA 14 2000 4-3.5.1, 2003 6.3.5.1, 2007-19 6.4.5.1.1]
Distance to Nearest Hydrant
No specific guidance.​
​No requirement.
Not more than 100 feet (30.5 m) from nearest fire hydrant, unless approved otherwise
[NFPA 14 2019 6.4.5.4, 6.4.5.4.1]
Height of FDC
No specific guidance.
1.5 – 4 ft above grade
(500 mm – 1.2 m)
[NFPA 13 2002 A.8.16.2, 2007-16 A.8.17.2, 2019 A.16.12]
1.5 – 4 ft above grade
(457 mm – 1219 mm)
[NFPA 14 2000 4-3.6, 2003 6.3.6, 2007-19 6.4.6]
Location of FDC
​No specific guidance.
At nearest point of fire department apparatus accessibility, or at a location approved by the AHJ.
[NFPA 13 2002 8.16.2.4.6, 2007-16 8.17.2.4.6, 2019 16.12.5.7]
Located within 50 ft (15.2 m) of street or nearest fire department access.
[NFPA 14 2019 7.12.2.3]
Visible and recognizable from street or nearest fire department access, or on street side of buildings.
[NFPA 14 2000 4-3.5.1, 2003 6.3.5.1, 2007-19 6.4.5.1]
Number of FDCs
At least one.
[NFPA 13R 2002 6.6.4.1, 2007 6.7.4.1, 2010-19 6.11.1]
​At least one.
[NFPA 13 2002-13 6.8.1, 2016 6.7.1, 2019 16.12.3.1]
One for each zone of Class I or III standpipes, unless fire department cannot supply high-zone.
[NFPA 14 2000 5-12.1, 2003 7.13.1, 2007-19 7.12.2.1]
Two (physically separated) for each zone, for high-rise buildings or multiple attached buildings exceeding 900 ft perimeter distance.
[NFPA 14 2000 5-12.2, 2003 7.13.2, 2007-16 7.12.2, 2019 7.12.2.2]
Size of FDC
At least 1-1/2” (38 mm)
[NFPA 13R 2002 6.6.4.2, 2007 6.7.4.2, 2010-19 6.11.2]
Riser 3” or smaller: Single 2.5” outlet
Riser larger than 3”: Two 2.5” outlets
[NFPA 13 2007-13 6.8.1.3, 2016 6.7.1.3, 2019 16.12.3.1.3]
One 2-1/2” (65 mm) inlet for every 250 gpm (946 L/min) standpipe demand, or approved large-diameter connection
[NFPA 14 2007-19 7.12.3]
Size of Feed to FDC
Pipe with diameter at least as large as the riser.
[NFPA 13R 2010-19 A.6.11]
Fire Engine, Pipe Schedule: 4-inch (100 mm)
Fire Engine, Hydraulically-Calculated: Size of largest riser
Fire Boat: 6-inch
[NFPA 13 2002 8.16.2.3, 2007-16 8.17.2.3, 2019 16.12.4]
Must be determined by hydraulically calculated.
[NFPA 14 2007-19 8.2.1]
Type of FDC
No specific guidance.
(2) 2-1/2” threaded unless fire department does not conform to NFPA 1963. Must be approved regardless.
[NFPA 13 2002 6.8.2 & 6.8.5, 2007-13 6.8.1.1 & 6.8.3, 2016 6.7.1.1 & 6.7.3, 2019 16.12.3.1.1, 16.12.3.3]
(2) 2-1/2” threaded unless fire department does not conform to NFPA 1963. Must be approved regardless.
[NFPA 14 2000 2-7, 2003-16 4.8.2 & 4.8.2.2, 2019 4.8.2, 4.8.4]
Where attached to system?
​See NFPA 13R.
[NFPA 13R 2002 6.6.4, 2007 6.7.4, 2010-19 6.11]
See NFPA 13;
not on suction side of fire pump.
[NFPA 13 2002 8.16.2.4, 2007-16 8.17.2.4, 2019 16.12.5]
​See NFPA 14;
not on suction side of fire pump.
[NFPA 14 2000 4-3.3, 2003 6.3.3, 2007-19 6.4.3]
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Have a great week!
G Peterson link
8/7/2020 10:47:47 am

Joe,
A little late on the comments for this section but I was searching for an answer to question that was asked about limited area fire sprinkler systems and if a FDC is required for those. The application that we have is a single sprinkler head installed in a medical gas closet. From my code research (NFC 2015 903.3.8), it appears that a limited area system can be run off of the domestic water supply and thus omits a need for the FDC and other devices associated with a full sprinkler installation. Did not know if you wanted to add a footnote to your table regarding this or not. Your site has been an invaluable resource to our fire marshal's office and is always one of the first "go-to" pages for information. Please keep up the great work!


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    Joe Meyer, PE, is a Fire Protection Engineer out of St. Louis, Missouri who writes & develops resources for Fire Protection Professionals. See bio here: About


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