Requirement for FDC to Connect to All Systems?

2/18/2025

Best Practice suggests that a single FDC supply all fire sprinkler systems in a building, so no matter which FDC the fire department pumps into, all of the systems would be supplemented.

Is there a requirement in any code (except local, village, state amendments, etc.) that requires a fire department connection to connect to all systems?

Or, can each system have its own FDC, provided it's properly labeled as to what system(s) are being pressurized by that particular FDC?

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11 Comments

Dan Wilder

2/18/2025 08:06:33 am

While it can be acceptable to have an FDC for individual portions of buildings (13-19 16.12.5.4 & 16.12.5.6 for example) based on sprinkler zoning, it is not advisable.

The reasoning (IMO) is that the responding trucks do not have knowledge of where the fire is occurring so waiting for that info to connect to an FDC can be very detrimental to the response efforts vs connecting one time and heading into where the red stuff is.

Also, if there are multiple locations for a fire, or multiple locations of hose valves that are independently fed by multiple FDC's, many agencies do not carry enough gear to accommodate a multi-attachment approach much less the possibility of needing additional pumper trucks for FDC locations not adjacent to each other. This also plays into the truck engineer who is trying to balance GPM and PSI requirements for their offensive & defensive crews.

Chad

2/18/2025 08:27:25 am

Dan is right all around… For the love of god do not do that without checking with the FD.

Without proper planning this could be a huge issue for the FD unless that’s their SOP

Bill

2/18/2025 08:32:40 am

In high-rise buildings it isn't unusual to have multiple FDC connections for a specific number of floors. the FDC's are normally grouped together with signage indicating low zone & high zone floors.

Glenn Berger

2/18/2025 08:38:06 am

I concur with the statements made by both Dan and Bill. There is one simple rule to follow here: Keep it simple!

J.H.

2/18/2025 08:53:22 am

Here are some excerpts and helpful handbook commentary on the subject:

NFPA 13:16.12.5.4 (2019 ed.)
For multiple systems, the fire department connection shall be connected between the supply control valves and the system control valves.

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An arrangement of multiple check valves introduces multiple failure points and increased maintenance requirements. Because NFPA 13 allows for unlimited numbers of zone valves, there is always a chance that a portion of the system cannot be supplied through the fire department connection because of a shut valve. There are no provisions in the standard that prohibit the installation of zone valves downstream of the fire department connections, even for single wet systems where the fire department connection is tapped immediately downstream of the system alarm check valve.”

AND--

“NFPA 13:16.12.5.6

Where a fire department connection services only a portion of a building, a sign shall be attached indicating the portions of the building served.

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Confusion can occur where there are multiple fire department connections or where the fire department connection serves only a portion of a building. If the fire department cannot determine which fire department connection to use, the proper connection — or any other connection — might not be used. On other occasions, the fire department might pump into a fire department connection that does not serve the fire area. To avoid those types of problems, NFPA 13 requires that where multiple systems exist the fire department connection serve all the sprinkler systems (see 16.12.5.4) and that connections that serve only a portion of the building be marked with the area they serve.”

In both of these cases, the text is referring to a single building with multiple protection zones, as shown in the figure below. It would be a nightmare to have individual FDCs for each riser inside a multi-zone building.
For illustration, see Figure A.16.12.5.5(b) Fire Department Connection to Underground Piping for Multiple Systems. I could not paste it here.

***NOTE:
If there are multiple sprinklered BUILDINGS (not multiple system zones within a building) , a separate FDC is required for each, as the FDC must be connected downstream of each building supply control valve. See Control valves, other than sprinkler system control valves, cannot be installed between the FDC and the sprinkler system. Check valves, other than FDC check valves, must be located between two control valves. See NFPA 24:6.1.1, NFPA 24:6.2.1.1, NFPA 24:6.2.2.1-2, and FIGURE A.5.9.3.2.1(b), NFPA 13: FIGURE A.16.12.5.5(b) for “Fire Department Connection to Underground Piping for Multiple Systems”.

Adam

2/18/2025 09:07:23 am

I'm not sure what the benefit would be to having the FDC not connected to all zones. If a sprinkler head or hose connection is not flowing in a zone, then it's connection to the shared FDC would not impact performance of the zone that is involved in the fire.

Jonathan W.

2/18/2025 09:32:21 am

Depending on your jurisdiction (state and local codes), IFC Section 905.4.2 requires in buildings where more than one standpipe is provided, the standpipes shall be interconnected in accordance with NFPA 14.

NFPA 14 section 9.4.1 requires standpipes installed in the same building or section of building to be interconnected. Section 9.4.1.1 permits the standpipes to not be interconnected where acceptable by the AHJ.

Best practice, and as others have mentioned, always have the conversation with the local FD and AHJ to determine their operational needs.

Jose Figueroa

2/18/2025 09:48:13 am

I refer to NFPA 14 & NFPA 1700
The latter shows:

7.4.4.3.4 Fire Department Connections.

Fire department connection is a method for the fire department to supply either a primary or a secondary water supply to standpipe systems or to supplement existing water supplies for fire sprinkler systems. Knowledge of the location and arrangement of fire department connections in advance of an emergency can facilitate more efficient and effective fire-fighting operations. The location can be visually identified on site by the appropriate signage or special lighting.

The question does not provide enough information. High-rise buildings or even large horizontal structures may require separate FDC and standpipe systems.

Jesse

2/18/2025 01:11:28 pm

Yeah Dan is right. And another vote for keep it simple.

Again though, we've all seen high-rises or large footprint buildings with multiple FDCs for various portions of the building. I've also done multiple FDC locations with each FDC tying into the same system.

Just make sure the AHJ is on board

Jeff Ayers

2/18/2025 03:51:01 pm

In the Multi Family world with IIIA structure wrapping a 6-story garage, we will have multiple FDC's.
Why?
Each area of units (not zones) have a 3-hour fire wall of separation. This creates its own "Building" (not zones) allowing "Phased Occupancy" of each of the 3 buildings.

For example, a 400 unit wrap project has 3 separate buildings, separated by 3-hour walls.

As each building is occupied, we have separate Fire Alarm (3 dialers and 3 FACP) and separate sprinkler for each building to stand alone, with separate FDC's.

Additionally, the garage has its own FDC.

Some jurisdictions do not allow phased occupancy, in which case we zone the FA and sprinkler in each building with a single FDC. But the garage always has its own FDC.

Sometimes the AHJ will accept a single FACP, allowing the other unoccupied buildings to show as trouble on the FA panel.

Jack G

2/18/2025 11:55:53 pm

As stated above , it’s not required, but why would you not want to tie them together with proper signage. It s just good fire protection. Each system would be checked off, so the fire fighter operating the pumper would have control no matter how many zones had fires.
Malls, big high schools, outlet stores, makes arriving to the scene and setting up less complicated.

Requirement for FDC to Connect to All Systems?

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