Allowed to Isolate a Hose Valve on Standpipe?

8/8/2023

Are you allowed to have a valve off the standpipe feeding a hose valve that is not in the stairwell?

Working in a high rise building with two stairwells. It is dual fed with combination riser standpipes.

On the tenant space there is a hose valve and they want a butterfly on the feed for the hose valve, always thought that was not allowed but couldn’t find it.

Thanks in advance.

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7 Comments

Dan Wilder

8/8/2023 07:49:16 am

Yes, allowed and it's required when the single hose valve is greater than 40' along a branch line (14-22' - 6.3.3). Minimum sizing & hydraulics per 14-22' 7.8 & 7.10

If there is more than one hose valve on a single level, it's considered a Horizontal Standpipe (14-22' - 3.3.19.1) and that is also required to have isolation valve (14-22' - 6.3.2)

Glenn Berger

8/8/2023 08:05:02 am

Yes, you can valve off a hose valve. Reminder to install a tamper switch on this valve.

Jesse

8/8/2023 08:56:55 am

Yep. The valve will need to be supervised though.

Todd E Wyatt

8/9/2023 08:18:40 am

SUMMARY
A butterfly valve is not prohibited for use as a Hose Valve for a Standpipe although it is not the recommended valve type. Gate valves have a higher sealing tightness, and therefore are more suitable for applications that require zero leakage. Butterfly valves are more suitable for applications that require flow modulation or throttling.

EXPLANATION
The scoping Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) identifies WHERE a standpipe is required based on the building's Occupancy Classification (OC) and/or a special condition (e.g. High-Rise Building - HRB). The scoping Code identifies the applicable standard (e.g. NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems - 2019) for HOW the standpipe is to be installed.

2021 IBC Section 905 Standpipe Systems identifies the classification of standpipe (Class I, II or III) which is determinate on the building's height & number of stories and also the OC. 905.4/.5/.6 identifies the "Location of Class I/II/III Standpipe Hose Connections. Non-stairway standpipe hose valves would need to meet 2021 IBC 905.7 Cabinets.

Todd E Wyatt

8/9/2023 08:19:05 am

REFERENCES
NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems - 2019

3.3.26.2 Hose Valve.
The valve to an individual hose connection with an outlet for attaching a fire hose.

Chapter 4 — System Components and Hardware
4.7 Hose Connections.
ENHANCED CONTENT
Hose connections provide the fire service a point of connection for their fire hose during a fire event. The hose connections are connected to the standpipe through which water is supplied to the fire fighters. In some high-rise or very tall buildings, the standpipe system might be the only water supply to the fire fighters. As such, it is important that the hose connections and the rest of the standpipe system be maintained in accordance with NFPA 25.
There are two basic types of hose connections: standard hose valves and pressure-reducing hose valves.

4.7.1
Hose valves shall be listed.
4.7.2
Hose connections shall have external National Hose Standard (NHS) threads, for the valve size specified, in accordance with NFPA 1963.
4.7.3
Hose connections shall be equipped with threaded caps to protect the hose threads.
ENHANCED CONTENT
Threaded caps may be brass or impact-resistant plastic.
4.7.4
Where local fire department hose threads do not conform to NFPA 1963, the AHJ shall designate the hose threads that shall be used.
4.7.5*
Hose connections shall be located so that there is at least 3 in. (76.2 mm) clearance between any adjacent object and the handle of the valve when the valve is in any position ranging from fully open to fully closed.
A.‍4.7.5
It is important to provide adequate clearance for the valve handle so that a fire fighter using a gloved hand can quickly open and close a hose valve. Subsection 4.7.5 does not pertain to hose valves located in closets and cabinets.

2021 IBC
Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
Section 403 High-Rise Buildings

[F] 403.3 Automatic Sprinkler System
Buildings and structures shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and a secondary water supply where required by Section 403.3.3.
Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in spaces or areas of telecommunications equipment buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.
[F] 403.3.1 Number of Sprinkler Risers and System Design
Each sprinkler system zone in buildings that are more than 420 feet (128 m) in building height shall be supplied by not fewer than two risers. Each riser shall supply sprinklers on alternate floors. If more than two risers are provided for a zone, sprinklers on adjacent floors shall not be supplied from the same riser.
[F] 403.3.1.1 Riser Location
Sprinkler risers shall be placed in interior exit stairways and ramps that are remotely located in accordance with Section 1007.1.
[F] 403.3.2 Water Supply to Required Fire Pumps
In all buildings that are more than 420 feet (128 m) in building height and buildings of Type IVA and IVB construction that are more than 120 feet (36 576 mm) in building height, required fire pumps shall be supplied by connections to not fewer than two water mains located in different streets. Separate supply piping shall be provided between each connection to the water main and the pumps. Each connection and the supply piping between the connection and the pumps shall be sized to supply the flow and pressure required for the pumps to operate.
Exception: Two connections to the same main shall be permitted provided that the main is valved such that an interruption can be isolated so that the water supply will continue without interruption through not fewer than one of the connections.
[F] 403.3.3 Secondary Water Supply
An automatic secondary on-site water supply having a capacity not less than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand, including the hose stream requirement, shall be provided for high-rise buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F as determined by Section 1613. An additional fire pump shall not be required for the secondary water supply unless needed to provide the minimum design intake pressure at the suction side of the fire pump supplying the automatic sprinkler system. The secondary water supply shall have a duration of not less than 30 minutes as determined by the occupancy hazard classification in accordance with NFPA 13.
[F] 403.3.4 Fire Pump Room
Fire pumps shall be located in

Todd E Wyatt

8/9/2023 08:20:21 am

REFERENCES continued ...
2021 IBC
Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
Section 403 High-Rise Buildings
[F] 403.3.4 Fire Pump Room
Fire pumps shall be located in rooms protected in accordance with Section 913.2.1.

[F] 403.4 Emergency Systems
The detection, alarm and emergency systems of high-rise buildings shall comply with Sections 403.4.1 through 403.4.8.
[F] 403.4.3 Standpipe System
A high-rise building shall be equipped with a standpipe system as required by Section 905.3.

Section 905 Standpipe Systems
[F] 905.1 General
Standpipe systems shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 905.2 through 905.11. In buildings used for high-piled combustible storage, fire protection shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 905.2 Installation Standard
Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with this section and NFPA 14. Fire department connections for standpipe systems shall be in accordance with Section 912.
[F] 905.3 Required Installations
Standpipe systems shall be installed where required by Sections 905.3.1 through 905.3.8. Standpipe systems are allowed to be combined with automatic sprinkler systems.
Exception: Standpipe systems are not required in Group R-3 occupancies.
[F] 905.3.1 Height
Class III standpipe systems shall be installed throughout buildings where any of the following conditions exist:
Four or more stories are above or below grade plane.
The floor level of the highest story is located more than 30 feet (9144 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
The floor level of the lowest story is located more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the highest level of fire department vehicle access.
Exceptions:
Class I standpipes are allowed in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
Class I standpipes are allowed in Group B and E occupancies.
Class I standpipes are allowed in parking garages.
Class I standpipes are allowed in basements equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
Class I standpipes are allowed in buildings where occupant-use hose lines will not be utilized by trained personnel or the fire department.
In determining the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, it shall not be required to consider either of the following:
Recessed loading docks for four vehicles or less.
Conditions where topography makes access from the fire department vehicle to the building impractical or impossible.
[F] 905.4 Location of Class I Standpipe Hose Connections
[F] 905.5 Location of Class II Standpipe Hose Connections
[F] 905.6 Location of Class III Standpipe Hose Connections
[F] 905.7 Cabinets
[F] 905.8 Dry Standpipes
[F] 905.9 Valve Supervision
[F] 905.10 During Construction
[F] 905.11 Locking Standpipe Outlet Caps

Alex

8/10/2023 07:34:52 am

Yes, this is allowed contingent the valve is supervised.

Allowed to Isolate a Hose Valve on Standpipe?

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