Basis for Manual Standpipe on Sprinkler System?

3/30/2026

We have a consultant showing a 6" wet sprinkler riser routing through the 1st floor of a building, supplying sprinklers, then heading to a stairwell to supply a wet manual standpipe. I am confident that supplying a standpipe downstream of a sprinkler system is not allowed, as there would be no way to fight the fire with hoses without the ability to shut off the sprinkler system, but keep the standpipe live.

Can someone shed some light on the code referring to this in either NFPA 13, 14, or even FM Global that details standpipes can feed sprinkler systems in a combination setup, but a sprinkler system cannot feed a standpipe?

Thanks in advance!

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8 Comments

Josh

3/30/2026 08:14:25 am

If you shut off sprinklers to level 1, it sounds like you're shutting off standpipes too in this configuration unless there's something I'm missing.

You probably could run it one direction like that, but you'd have to split somewhere to where your standpipe supply is not isolated when you isolate the sprinkler system. Is there maybe supposed to be a break off point somewhere that got missed?

Jesse

3/30/2026 08:26:51 am

Combined SP and AS systems aren't new, but as I read this; it seems the issue is the SP being downstream of the AS system. That SP riser in the stairwell should be fed by the AS main.

Chris

3/30/2026 08:35:47 am

The code does permit combined systems, but it does not clearly define in detail what constitutes a “combined system.” Because of that, the solution you mentioned above could be considered code-compliant depending on the reviewer’s interpretation.

The majority of the industry have the belief that a combined system consists of a standpipe riser extending to the stairwell, with the sprinkler system riser being fed from that same riser within the stairwell.

My personal view is as follows:

-For 3+ story commercial buildings, a traditional standpipe arrangement is the more appropriate approach, with the standpipe and related components located in the stairwells. In those situations, it would be very difficult and impractical to advance hose lines up three or more stories during a fire event.

-For 1–2 story buildings, where standpipes only begin to be required under certain AHJ amendments, fire department hose deployment is generally much more manageable. In those cases, a broader interpretation of a combined system (where the sprinkler and standpipe functions are incorporated into the same piping system) seems like a reasonable and practical approach.

Glenn Berger

3/30/2026 08:38:43 am

Your concerns are valid. Combined supply to sprinklers and standpipe is okay, but requires separated controls. Your comment did not indicate if the standpipe system was a Class I or Class II, or Class III.

Declan

3/30/2026 11:56:00 pm

Standpipes are all class I for this building. Furthermore, the fire protection for the building is fed from 4 systems in a riser room which ironically also has a 4” bulk main feeding 2 of the total 4 standpipes. The other 2 standpipes are being fed downstream of 2 of the sprinkler system risers.

A very concerning approach to designing this high-rise building. My preferred method would be 6” bulk main fed from a pump to each of the stairwells and then placing floor control assemblies for each system area. An automatic standpipe may be required from the AHJ rather than the engineer’s plan for a wet manual standpipe.

NFPA 14 does not explicitly state that sprinkler systems cannot feed standpipes but does illustrate the floor control assembly being supplied from the standpipe and not the other way around.

Project is based in the State of Florida meaning the PE has the authority in their design. Finding unambiguous evidence from the standards is the best way to convince them to rethink their plans before we go further in the process.

Brett

3/30/2026 09:12:26 am

Is it truly a standpipe or are there just hose valves supplied by the sprinkler system?

If it's a true standpipe system then it cannot be setup the way you've described.

NFPA 14 (2019) section 6.3.5.1:

"Each connection from a standpipe that is part of a combined system to a sprinkler system shall have an individual control valve and check valve."

The annex for this section shows acceptable arrangements.

If there are hose valves intended to be supplied by the sprinkler system then see NFPA 13 (2019) section 16.5.2. I've never seen these outside of a storage occupancy.

Dan Wilder

3/30/2026 10:20:41 am

Chapter 5 of NFPA 14 indicates that for a manual standpipe system it shall have an approved water supply. None of those indicate that a sprinkler system can be a distribution point and while a standpipe is defined as "System piping that delivers the water supply for hose connections, and for sprinklers on combined systems, from floor to floor" (3.3.27), there is no definition of a sprinkler system being able to perform the same duty.

13-8.1.3 for Auxiliary systems also does not indicate a standpipe system can be supplied from a wet pipe system.

While not specific, IMO, taking this route is a stretch as there is more info specifying what is allowed than assuming acceptance because of the lack of specific wording in the negative.

Declan

3/31/2026 12:00:57 am

Thank you for the references. I also agree that the standard is not explicit in stating sprinkler systems cannot feed standpipes, just that standpipes can feed sprinkler systems and it’s taken as an industry standard that one follows the other and cannot be the other way around.

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Basis for Manual Standpipe on Sprinkler System?

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