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Is it allowed, by code, to have multiple buildings served by a single fire department connection?
There's an existing series of about 12 buildings (a campus) that is served by a site fire pump house (most buildings only have sprinkler, a couple have standpipes). On the discharge side of the pump house is a fire department connection. This is the only method to supplement flow and pressure for the fire department. NFPA 13, 14, 20, and 24 would all apply here, as well as the IBC and IFC (2015). Is this permitted by code? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe
5 Comments
James
2/27/2019 10:18:51 am
From my experience, the IBC isn't clear on this with most cities (i.e. NYC is very explicit in their FDC requirements). In short, you have to check with the Fire Code official (912.2 in IBC). I believe NFPA 14 also states that the final approval is by the fire code official (6.4.5.4 2007 ed). It is possible the designer got approval from the fire code official with using only one FDC.
David Cross
2/27/2019 12:05:38 pm
Code does not specifically allow this or disallow this, however its more of a Fire Department operations issue. We would allow a remote or two FDC to service a campus building scenario as long as the underground piping is rated for the pressures.
Rusty Scott
2/27/2019 02:02:57 pm
In downtown Atlanta we have an existing multi- midrise building complex of 4 buildings with an additional 5th building being added to the site. In a pre-plan meeting with the Fire Marshal and Fire Department Responding Team, we determined that the current complex was only fed from one remote FDC and should have another remote FDC added on another street in case road access on the main street was blocked. So both FDCs are now a combined system for all 5 buildings. I like to think in terms of urban/campus/city environments as the more the better due to size, traffic, and worst case scenarios.
Dave L.
2/27/2019 10:00:24 pm
Done it a few times, but I don;t think it involved 14 and 20. As far as NFPA #13, in my opinion it is allowed per 8.17.2.4.3 (in 2013 & 2016 - Don't ask me where where anything is in the 2019 yet), and in my view, downstream of any fire pump discharge. You should be good per NFPA #14 via 6.4.3. In my experience AHJ / Fire Marshal may weigh in, and possibly have signage requirements, as well as the usual location requirements. I hope this adds to the information given above.
Franck
3/4/2019 11:31:15 am
For industrial facilities, it is quite common to have only one FDC, located at the pump house, servicing several buildings. Leave a Reply. |
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