Standpipe Hose Connection Allowed in Corridor?

7/16/2025

Looking for clarification on NFPA 101 Section 30.2.5.1.2, which provides an exemption for exit staircase remoteness. NFPA 14, however, requires a standpipe system in all exit staircases.

We are working on an 18-floor high-rise apartment building that has two exit staircases eligible for the remoteness exemption outlined in 30.2.5.1.2.

I would like to install a standpipe riser in the exit access corridor leading to exit staircases instead of within the exit staircase, as NFPA 14 specifies.

Is locating the hose valves in the corridor in-between allowed rather than within the exit enclosure?

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8 Comments

Glenn Berger

7/16/2025 08:31:13 am

NFPA 14 Section 7.3.2.1 requires the connection to be provided at the stair landing for a Class I Standpipe System. Section 7.3.3.1 would cover the requirements for a Class II Standpipe System.

The connection is for the Fire Department and not for the building occupants.

The answer to your question is that for a Class I standpipe System is that it is not permissible to locate the connection in the exit corridor. It is permissible to locate a Class II Standpipe System connection in the exit corridor.

Todd E Wyatt

7/16/2025 08:54:54 am

The scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2024) references the standpipe standard (e.g. NFPA 14-2024 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems) per 905.2 (see REFERENCES below). If the scoping Code has a more stringent requirement than the referenced Standard, the scoping Code governs.

IBC-2024 has different installation requirements for CLASS I, II, and III STANDPIPES.

905.4 Location of CLASS I STANDPIPE (CIS) Hose Connections requires CIS in every required Interior Exit Stairway (IES) whereas 905.5 Location of Class II Standpipe (CIIS) Hose Connections requires CIIS be located for "ready access."

Since this is a High-Rise Building (HRB), the standpipe location shall also meet Section 403 which requires standpipes located in IES that are remotely located per Section 1007.1.

Based on scaling the diagram, it appears the (2) IES are not separated by "not less than one-third of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area served" as req'd by 1007.1 Exc #2.

Todd E Wyatt

7/16/2025 08:55:19 am

REFERENCES
IBC-2024
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 905 Standpipe Systems
905.2 Installation Standard
Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with this section and NFPA 14. Fire department connections for standpipe systems shall be in accordance with Section 912.
905.4 Location of CLASS I STANDPIPE Hose Connections
Class I standpipe hose connections shall be provided in all of the following locations:
In every required INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY OR EXTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY, a hose connection shall be provided for EACH STORY above and below grade plane. Hose connections shall be located at the main floor landing unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.
Exception: A SINGLE HOSE CONNECTION shall be permitted to be installed in the OPEN CORRIDOR OR OPEN BREEZEWAY between OPEN STAIRS that are not greater than 75 FEET (22 860 MM) APART.
905.4.1 Protection
Risers and laterals of Class I standpipe systems NOT LOCATED WITHIN AN INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY shall be protected by a degree of FIRE RESISTANCE EQUAL TO THAT REQUIRED FOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES in the building in which they are located.
Exception: In buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, laterals that are not located within an interior exit stairway are not required to be enclosed within fire-resistance-rated construction.

905.5 Location of Class II Standpipe Hose Connections
CLASS II STANDPIPE hose connections located so that all portions of the building are within 30 feet (9144 mm) of a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30 480 mm) of hose. CLASS II STANDPIPE hose connections shall be located where they will have READY ACCESS.

Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
Section 403 High-Rise Buildings
403.3.1.3 Riser Location
STANDPIPES or sprinkler express risers shall be placed in INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS and ramps that are REMOTELY LOCATED in accordance with Section 1007.1.

1007.1.1 Two Exits or Exit Access Doorways
Where two exits, exit access doorways, exit access stairways or ramps, or any combination thereof, are required from any portion of the exit access, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served measured in a straight line between them. Interlocking or scissor stairways shall be counted as one exit stairway.
Exceptions:
Where interior exit stairways or ramps are interconnected by a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated corridor conforming to the requirements of Section 1020, the required exit separation shall be measured along the shortest direct line of travel within the corridor.
Where a building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the separation distance shall be not less than one-third of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area served.

Todd E Wyatt

7/16/2025 08:55:50 am

REFERENCES

IBC-2024
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 905 Standpipe Systems
905.2 Installation Standard
Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with this section and NFPA 14. Fire department connections for standpipe systems shall be in accordance with Section 912.
905.4 Location of CLASS I STANDPIPE Hose Connections
Class I standpipe hose connections shall be provided in all of the following locations:
In every required INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY OR EXTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY, a hose connection shall be provided for EACH STORY above and below grade plane. Hose connections shall be located at the main floor landing unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.
Exception: A SINGLE HOSE CONNECTION shall be permitted to be installed in the OPEN CORRIDOR OR OPEN BREEZEWAY between OPEN STAIRS that are not greater than 75 FEET (22 860 MM) APART.
905.4.1 Protection
Risers and laterals of Class I standpipe systems NOT LOCATED WITHIN AN INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY shall be protected by a degree of FIRE RESISTANCE EQUAL TO THAT REQUIRED FOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES in the building in which they are located.
Exception: In buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, laterals that are not located within an interior exit stairway are not required to be enclosed within fire-resistance-rated construction.

905.5 Location of Class II Standpipe Hose Connections
CLASS II STANDPIPE hose connections located so that all portions of the building are within 30 feet (9144 mm) of a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30 480 mm) of hose. CLASS II STANDPIPE hose connections shall be located where they will have READY ACCESS.

Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
Section 403 High-Rise Buildings
403.3.1.3 Riser Location
STANDPIPES or sprinkler express risers shall be placed in INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS and ramps that are REMOTELY LOCATED in accordance with Section 1007.1.

1007.1.1 Two Exits or Exit Access Doorways
Where two exits, exit access doorways, exit access stairways or ramps, or any combination thereof, are required from any portion of the exit access, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served measured in a straight line between them. Interlocking or scissor stairways shall be counted as one exit stairway.
Exceptions:
Where interior exit stairways or ramps are interconnected by a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated corridor conforming to the requirements of Section 1020, the required exit separation shall be measured along the shortest direct line of travel within the corridor.
Where a building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the separation distance shall be not less than one-third of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area served.

Joe

7/16/2025 08:55:11 am

Reflect on the purpose it is serving....FIREFIGHTERS. Need to be hooking up to the hose outlet within the protection of the stairwell that it affords prior to entering the fire floor to attack the fire.

Dan Wilder

7/16/2025 09:06:54 am

NFPA 14 does allow a Class 1 standpipe hose connection to be located between stairs if they are in the open connecting corridor and travel distances are met (14-24' 9.5.2.1.2 and also in previous editions as I have used this for a layout). The diagram shown does not look to comply with this allowance so the locations would default back to each enclosed stair.

Chad

7/16/2025 10:46:19 am

It doesn’t matter what 14 says you need to do what the fire department wants in this case. They have the authority to tell you to move it….

Frankly, I don’t like having to leave the stairwell door cracked open to advance a hose line from there under fire conditions. Just my opinion.

Jesse

7/16/2025 01:16:02 pm

I can't see this as being a viable option. I'd run it by the AHJ, but I wouldn't expect them to agree to it

Standpipe Hose Connection Allowed in Corridor?

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