Valve for Hose Connection on Sprinkler System?

9/20/2023

We're working on a one-story school. The AHJ (Fire Marshal) is requiring inside 2 1/2-inch hose valves at the exit locations.

These hose valves are fed directly off the wet sprinkler system main - not fed from a dedicated standpipe main.

1. I'm having trouble finding code regarding feeding hose valves off of the wet system main.

2. I'm trying to determine if the pipe, off the main, to these hose valves, needs a control valve installed.

Appreciate the tips and insight.

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7 Comments

David Kendrick

9/20/2023 08:18:38 am

This may be a local requirement memorialized in addition to the building standards.

You should be able to ask for or access the current adopted codes and standards with any modifications.

There you may have your answer.

Todd E Wyatt

9/20/2023 08:37:41 am

It is permissible to request the AHJ provide the section of the adopted Code and/or Standard for this "requirement."

Review of the scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021) and the referenced standard (e.g. NFPA 13 - 2019 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems) did not yield results for "requiring inside 2 1/2-inch hose valves at the exit locations."

If this school (Group E Occupancy Classification) is >12K SF and has an Occupant Load >300, then an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required per IBC-2021 903.2.3.

The referenced ASPS standard (NFPA 13 - 2019 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems) includes (7) references of "EXIT" but none address your specific conditon.

REFERENCES
IBC - 2021
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.2 Where Required
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12.
903.2.3 Group E
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies as follows:
1. Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 12,000 square feet (1115 m2) in area.
2. The Group E fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
Exception: In buildings where every classroom has not fewer than one exterior exit door at ground level, an automatic sprinkler system is not required in any area below the lowest level of exit discharge serving that area.
3. The Group E fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.

NFPA 13 - 2019
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

Search for "EXIT" = (7) References
9.2.3.4 ...Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted from an exterior EXIT corridor where the exterior wall of the corridor is at ...
D.1.1.9.2 ...and service elevators shall be permitted to open directly onto EXIT passageways, provided that all of the following criteria are met: ...
D.2.23.2.2 ...and service elevators shall be permitted to open directly onto EXIT passageways, provided that all of the following criteria are met: ...
D.1.1.10.2 ...and service elevators shall be permitted to open directly onto EXIT passageways, provided that all of the following criteria are met: ...
D.2.24.2.2 ...and service elevators shall be permitted to open directly onto EXIT passageways, provided that all of the following criteria are met: ...
D.2.4.1.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. ...2) EXIT access stairs from lighting and access catwalks, galleries, and gridirons ...
D.2.3.1.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. ...2) EXIT access stairs from lighting and access catwalks, galleries, and gridirons ...

Casey Milhorn

9/20/2023 08:59:39 am

I think what they are asking for are hose connections from the A/S system, not a full hose valve and standpipe system. Below is from NFPA 13, 2016 ed.

8.17.5.2 Hose Connections for Fire Department Use.
8.17.5.2.1 In buildings of light or ordinary hazard occupancy,
21⁄2 in. (65 mm) hose valves for fire department use shall be
permitted to be attached to wet pipe sprinkler system risers.
8.17.5.2.2* The following restrictions shall apply:
(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 of the same size as the connection.
(2) The minimum size of the riser shall be 4 in. (100 mm)
unless hydraulic calculations indicate that a smaller size
riser will satisfy sprinkler and hose stream allowances.
(3) Each combined sprinkler and standpipe riser shall be
equipped with a riser control valve to permit isolating a
riser without interrupting the supply to other risers from
the same source of supply. (For fire department connections
serving standpipe and sprinkler systems, refer to Section 6.7.)

Depending on how the above code section is interpreted, you may not be allowed to connect to an A/S system downstream of the control valve/riser.

If these are considered "horizontal exits", you might be required to provide a full NFPA 14 Class I system and connecting to the sprinkler system downstream of the system control valve may not be allowed.

But if this is just an ask from the AHJ, you also need to clarify how much gpm and pressure they are expecting at this valve? I wouldn't calculate any less than 250 gpm. Pressure probably won't matter to them as they expect to have to connect to the FDC with the pumper truck to get what they need out of it. I would highly recommend adding signage that says manual wet hose valve, or some wording like that.

John link

9/20/2023 09:56:32 am

I've seen the 2 1/2" hose valves in glass cabinets in schools on the wall near exit signs.

Dan Wilder

9/20/2023 11:21:52 am

What is the intent of the Fire Department for use of the hose valves? Are they being used for secondary, ancillary cleanup or direct fire fighter operations?

NFPA 13-22' Section 16.15 (and 20.14 but this isn't storage) is specific to hose valves attached to sprinkler systems but this is not for direct fire fighting applications because they are not calculated the same as an NFPA 14 design. The only requirement is to add the 50GPM per valve up to 100GPM to satisfy Inside Hose requirements. Minimum pipe size to be 2.5" for feeds (in my experience) but I've gotten away with 2" with approval.

I would suggest against an additional control valve controlling the hose valve in lieu of signage and maybe a gauge at the connection.

Jesse

9/20/2023 11:42:15 am

We see this a lot with large footprint buildings and it has to do with distance from the fire apparatus lane. We handle with just a 2.5" drop from the AS main to a hose valve.

Sharon

9/21/2023 09:57:10 am

We have been required to provide these on schools lately because they are bringing in the "Mall" criteria. This has been allowing the architect a bit more flexibility with building locations, etc.

Valve for Hose Connection on Sprinkler System?

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