Are Standpipes Required for Open Stairs?

4/22/2025

I have a new build design where standpipes are required due to height. An area of the building is lower than the height requirement. This area has a partial floor above another that looks over an open emergency planning room area. There are two open stairs at either end. They appear to be the only stairs.

I view these as required interior exit stairs, and since I have never found an exemption to areas of the building below the height requiring standpipes, I've included hose connections.

The Architect wants them removed because they are open stairs.

Are standpipes allowed to be omitted for open stairs in the portions below the required heights for a standpipe?

Any thoughts or input are appreciated.

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7 Comments

Chad

4/22/2025 11:52:28 am

If the building height is lower than the requirement, why would you see it as being necessary?

Unless this is a very large building and the standpipe is wet (and remote from any exterior doors), there is no value to having it there, IMO.

Pete H

4/22/2025 02:06:05 pm

If you don't see an exception, there might not be.

At this point, maybe reach out to the relevant AHJ?

If they will accept the different height as a reason to exempt the standpipe, exempt away.

If not, tell the architect that your concern is a system that can be approved by the AHJ.

Wes

4/22/2025 03:05:22 pm

Usually the term is for hose valves to be located at "required exit stairs" or similar verbiage in the IBC/IFC and NFPA 14. If an open stair is a convenience stair, meaning its supplemental and not a required exit, then it wouldn't require a standpipe hose connection. See IFC 905.4 for an example where it says "required interior exit stairways."

That's assuming that you'd still meet travel distance requirements to a hose valve from all the portions of the building.

Casey Milhorn

4/22/2025 05:46:53 pm

I've never seen an exemption for required exit stairs, only for convenience stairs. I would DEFINITELY involve the responding fire department on this and let them be a part of this decision if they are left out. I don't think I would want to be a first responder showing up to a location where I had deficient numbers of hose connections. In similar situations, we have installed a concealed standpipe adjacent to the stairs in a chase, with hose valve cabinets. Make sure to provide rated cabinets if in a rated chase or wall.

Glenn Berger

4/23/2025 08:39:00 am

Based on your review that you have found no exceptions to the standpipe requirement, then it is required.

The comment does not indicate the number of floors in this building, the floor areas, or the distance from the exterior, or anything else that may lead to a detailed review.

The use of only open stairs needs to be investigated as how these are code compliant and might lead to a differing response.

Jack G

4/23/2025 07:57:36 pm

Wes and Glenn have hit it.
First of all if the architect/ engineer require it then it’s required as they have included on the code sheet.
Since the open stairs are not in a required fire rated enclosure, I m assuming the A&E are calling them convenience stairs.
So let’s call them that. Stairs for say 2 floors like an office and occupants can physically interact with each other. ( assumption)
So do these 2 floors in the “ different” part of the building, are they connected to the real egress stairs or not? ( how do they exit the building)
If not that might be a problem . Let’s say on the convenience stairs portion of the building , one floor must exit thru the other, and then the fire tower thru a connected fire rated hallway to the rated egress stairs. That’s a problem. If a corridor connects the floor and the rated stair tower, addition hose valves would be required on each side of the fire doors.
The open stairs may also be in the egress and require valves also.
The A&E should have an egress drawing for the building and each floor. So an AHJ &. A&E review should occur reviewing the plan documents as I think somehow those floors are in that portion of the buildings egress.( speculation, needed more information)

Julio Escobar

6/30/2025 03:07:47 pm

Gentlemen: If the stair exit is considered and Emergency Exit and is required for building height, a hose valve is required to approx. 150 ft pathway & 130 FT hose radius, if there is another stair far away in the building more than 150 ft path-way these additional stairway will required standpipe or if there are additional stairwell and overpass the pathway distance a FHC will be required to cover the hose radius, but these installation shall be fire rated including the wet standpipe riser protected. If these stair ways are not enclosure and open at each floor, the standpipe risers need to be rated protection and the opening will required a water curtain protections.

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Are Standpipes Required for Open Stairs?

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