Create Permanent Test Connection for Standpipe?

4/6/2026

I have a client with a 10-story office building/parking garage, a fire pump in the below-grade level, and a combined wet standpipe with a manifold on the roof for testing. The building is getting some age on it, and when performing a flow test from the roof manifold, the roof drains will leak water into the top floor offices.

The question that was posed to me by the building manager was, "Can we tie into the bottom of the standpipe and run a new test connection to the outside at ground level?"

Shooting the water over the side of the building is not really an option, doable, yes, but not really an option.

Just wanting some thoughts on this, my initial response was no, but then I had never been posed with this question either.

If not, is it possible to permanently tie somewhere else, or conduct the test in a different way?

Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

9 Comments

Glenn Berger

4/6/2026 08:11:44 am

The simple answer is no. You want to test the most remote outlets to ensure proper flow (pressure).

NFPA 25 Section 6.3.1

Dan Wilder

4/6/2026 08:26:47 am

Ya...this is an infrastructure issue and the owner needs to be responsible. We have a couple clients like this and we distribute the hoses to utilize all the roof drains and put one over the edge at times. Those are the tests we load up manpower to get it completed as fast as possible.

Is there an option to pipe a hose valve or two back into the express drains to reduce the amount hitting the roof? Or bring the express drains up to the roof?

Jesse

4/6/2026 08:37:04 am

Not really a tenable solution. SP testing needs to be done at the top outlets. Testing the SP in a configuration proposed by the owner doesn't include the higher outlets.

Chad

4/6/2026 09:16:13 am

Hard no just like Glenn said. But you could always suggest adding a 4-6” riser drain piped to The appropriate sewer system.

It’s pricey, but it’s good work.

Anthony

4/6/2026 09:17:56 am

No, the test is required to be done at the top most outlets. However you can add a dedicated test drain riser that can accommodate the appropriate flow volume. Might be cheaper to install a dedicated test riser than go in and fix all the roof drains.

Jack G

4/6/2026 09:42:34 am

You could run a 6 or 8 inch vertical with 2.5 inch outlets at the top 2 levels and test the standpipes like you would a prv in a stair with a flow meter. ( you’ve probably have 3 inch test verticals already so up the size)
But the simplest thing is what we do in Philadelphia.
Test early in yje morning on a Sunday. Close the side street ( if building has all roads around it ) . Make a rack of play pipes at edge of roof , and spray the test water in the air.
Been doing it this way ( on over 300 high rises in Phillie for over 40 years. )

Dave

4/6/2026 03:38:30 pm

Cool. Please share video!

4/6/2026 04:29:17 pm

Agree with the responses here. We go early in the morning downtown Portland and shoot the water into the street. Not really any other viable option. However, I think if they are absolutely against this, adding a dedicated, properly sized drain riser seems to be the way to go. As far as I know, there would be no requirement to run this piping inside the building, nor a requirement to make it steel; it could be run in PVC on the building exterior near an existing fire escape (if any), minimizing invasiveness. Just a thought.

Ed K

4/6/2026 04:52:40 pm

If the test you're performing is for the standpipe, then I agree with everyone above, no further comment. However, if the test is for the fire pump, you can provide and use the new test connection as you've described. NFPA 20 section A.4.22.1.3 acknowledges other means of flowing water. New piping just needs to be sized appropriately. You'll still have to run water from the roof outlets for the periodically required standpipe test. I'm not an NFPA 25 guy, but I believe that's every 5 years.

Create Permanent Test Connection for Standpipe?

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES