Hi there, just reviewing NFPA 13 for the number of Fire Department Connections allowed on any one building.
I see NFPA 13 16.12.5.6 indicates that sign is required if an FDC only serves a portion of the building. Does it state that only one FDC per building is allowed, or can you have multiple FDC's on one building? Thank you. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
9 Comments
Wayne Ammons
3/12/2020 09:21:07 am
NFPA 13 (2019 Edition) does not state only one FDC per building is allowed, but your local fire or building code may require multiple FDC's to be interconnected.
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Darrell
3/12/2020 10:13:10 am
We have a large high school in our area that is split into 4 zones. There is a riser room with an FDC at opposite corners of the school. Each riser room supports 2 of the zones for the school. Each riser room has its own underground water supply.
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Casey Milhorn
3/12/2020 10:41:46 am
In some cases (2) FDCs are actually required. So I couldn't imagine anywhere that it would state that multiple FDCs aren't allowed.
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CJ Bonczyk
3/12/2020 10:53:11 am
Wayne is correct. In some jurisdictions here in Texas the fire marshal may have 3-4 FDC's feeding the same building due to accessibility and footprint of the building for the fire department. Sometimes its overkill but they are more concerned about making it easier for the responding departments to gain quicker hook up to the building systems. Those locations MUST be pre-located with the Architect/Engineer of record and the building owner prior to construction. Note that if multiple FDC's are installed they must have dedicated signs indicating the systems and or buildings they feed to avoid confusion by the fire department. In one instance I have had to install a separate FDC that pumped into a standalone helipad system and provide signage regarding pressure limitations from the pumper to not deplete the foam supply to the helipad too fast. I cannot stress enough that the location(s), size, style and quantity must be planned prior to documents being issued for construction as I have seen some very odd configurations and requests from various jurisdictions.
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Randy
3/12/2020 11:07:12 am
If you have standpipes, NFPA 14 explicitly calls out 'one or more' fire department connections may be required
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chris
3/12/2020 11:17:21 am
The size and number of FDC inlets shall be determined by the fire flow of the sprinkler system and/or standpipe system.Interior hose streams shall be included in the sprinkler demand for determining the number and size of inlets when standpipes and/or hose stations are part of the sprinkler system.
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Michael Millman
3/12/2020 10:30:34 pm
Yes, it is possible to have more than one FDC on a building (and sometimes required by code, usually based on size/distance and use of the building).
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Max
3/13/2020 05:54:34 am
I believe in the IBC multiple FDCs are required for high rises with exterior glazing. The reason is a historic fire saw glazing fall off the building and cut the hose lines to the single FDC.
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nairn robertson
3/19/2020 08:19:16 am
My apologies for not being clear on the subject. It was not the size or number of hose connections located within an FDC that I was referring to. Thank you all for your input and support, stay healthy.
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