Where is History of Standpipe Pressure Changes?

1/10/2024

Does anyone know of any literature summarizing standpipe design changes history for the last 130 years or so?

Something to the effect of:

1993 to Current - 500gpm flow most remote, 250gpm each additional, residual pressure at 100psi
1970ish to 1993 - 500gpm flow most remote, 250gpm each additional, residual pressure at 65psi
1950ish to 1970 - 500gpm flow most remote, 250gpm each additional, residual pressure at 50psi

With more enforcement of 5-year standpipe flow testing in our area we find ourselves spending a lot of time trying to locate older versions of NFPA and NBFU to see the design basis at the time of construction to determine testing procedure.

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13 Comments

Pete H

1/10/2024 07:48:17 am

Don't have anything well written on the reasoning, but I'm willing to BS a guess.

Back before 93 and even more before 1970, in high rises and buildings that required standpipe, there were often trained fire crews in the buildings that were expected to use already installed hoses at hose valves during fires (rather than a fire department bringing their own). This resulted in two things: pressures need to be lower so these non firefighters don't hurt themselves, and pressures could be lower because you're fighting the fire faster. Then before 1970 you get those "hand grenades filled with water" fire suppression things at ready access.

https://www.antiquetrader.com/collectibles/fire-grenades-history-and-collectability

https://community.fireengineering.com/m/blogpost?id=1219672%3ABlogPost%3A642263

Dan Wilder

1/10/2024 07:54:05 am

That would be a good question to ask of NFPA direct. The online access only goes back to 1968 for NFPA members, LiNK goes back to 2007.

There may be some resources at https://www.sprinkleracademy.com/ that you could request. They have a good literature section of older NFPA's.

Anthony

1/10/2024 08:10:11 am

NFPA does summarize the changes from year to year.
Having that all spelled out neatly, that might be harder to find. If there was a product like this I'd pay for it.

Greg

1/10/2024 08:26:40 am

From my recollection, the physical library at Fire Protection Publications (FPP) within Oklahoma State University has a historical collection of many NFPA pamphlets and early standards

It's possible the FPP librarian may be able to help find those materials and explain how to view / share / use. Similarly, NFPA may have a historical librarian. I'm not familiar with the NFPA's physical collection.

Fire Protection Publications authors the training materials that are printed as the IFSTA Firefighter training series.

Here is a contact directory for FPP.

https://directory.okstate.edu/index.php/module/Default/action/ViewDepartment?id=1009

Thomas Duross

1/10/2024 08:39:16 am

Welcome to my world. About 20 years ago I began offering standpipe testing to clients. I wrote our State's DPS office and they responded with a lengthy and detailed response that I have kept updated. One important caveat, you need to determine what edition of your SBC adopted when the installation permit was obtained and also what edition of #14 was referenced by that edition of the SBC, plus, you need to review section 10, 9, 12, whatever of the SBC because it could trump #14, plus any local or state ordinances. Depending on your state's law structure, anyone of these could override #14. For instance, my state (MA) didn't adopt the '93 edition until '99 but it still said fully sprinklered non high-rises didn't have to meet the 100 psi threshold and could be manual wet. Under our currently adopted #25 ('14), I still have to test manual wet standpipes.

Russ Byrd, SFD Plan Review, Retired

1/10/2024 09:07:10 am

Seattle has higher standpipe pressure requirements for high rise buildings, delivered by dedicated fire pumps. For decades the minimum residual pressure was 125 psi @ 300 gpm at any hose connection. This was increased after 911.

From the 2018 Seattle Building Code Sec. 903.3.1.1.3 High-Rise Building Sprinkler System Design

7. The standpipe risers in each required stair shall be a minimum pipe size of 6 inches (152 mm).
8. Two 2-1/2-inch (64 mm) hose connections shall be provided on every floor level landing in every required stairway. If pressure reducing valves (PRV) are required, each hose connection shall be provided with its own PRV.
9. The system shall be designed to provide a minimum flow of 300 gpm (19 L/s) at a minimum pressure of 150 psi (1034 kPa) [maximum 205 psi (1379 kPa)] at each standpipe connection in addition to the flow and pressure requirements contained in NFPA 14.
Ref https://up.codes/s/high-rise-building-sprinkler-system-design

Mark Harris

1/10/2024 05:15:50 pm

I asked this question to a Fire Marshal in the mid 1990's and was told it had to do with using fog nozzles verses straight stream. The fog nozzles required higher pressure. At the time it made sense.

Casey Milhorn

1/10/2024 06:32:23 pm

Be extremely careful here. It is the owner's responsibility to provide you with original design documents. As others have said, you alos have to know what edition was applicable for this project. Date alone might not tell you if a project was allowed a variance and you would even need to know the month and day. For example if you assume that a project should meet 100 psi, when really it was designed and approved at 65 psi, and you write that as a deficiency you might be asking the owner to make an unnecessary upgrade. Or vice versa, you might be approving an install that is deficient. I would ask the owner for the original design docs, then assuming you probably won't get those documents the majority of the time, perform the test to what is available, document it, provide to the owner and AHJ, and let them decide if it's enough. Add a note at the bottom that the original design psi was not provided and AHJ to verify if pressure meets with their approval.

Dwight Havens

1/11/2024 10:22:36 am

Historically, the NFPA library has been very helpful in identifying specific requirements of the standards based on their published dates. Do your homework first. As previously indicated, research the source code (typically building or fire) for the building when it was designed and constructed, then work your way to the edition of the standard (supposedly) used to design the system. Then contact the NFPA librarian and ask for help. Thomas, Russ, and Casey all bring up valid points. Local amendments also need to be checked for, and when were they adopted.

Ivan Humberson

3/6/2024 03:50:29 pm

I realize this is kind of late on this topic, but a quick check of the initial code change on NFPA's website, the Report on Proposals for the 1993 edtion of NFPA 14 had substantiation as the following: "The 150psi criteria is deemed necessary since the previously mentioned NFPA Standpipe Survey indicated that a majority of departments utilize adjustable (fog type) or automatic type nozzles many of which require a 100 psi operating pressure at the nozzle to provide for an effective stream. In addition, 1 1/2 in. and 1 3/4 in. diameter hose lines are used in many standpipe packs in 100 ft to 150 ft lengths. The friction loss in the 1 3/4 in. lines will range from approximately 0.25 psi/ft for a 125 pgm flow to nearly 1 psi/ft for a 250 gpm flow. The 150 psi value will be sufficient for flows of approximately 180 gpm along a single, 100 ft length of 1 3/4 in. line." So, yes, it appears the change to a higher residual pressure at the standpipe hose outlets was driven by the use of adjustable (fog) and/or automatic nozzles.

RUSSELL BYRD

3/6/2024 08:58:55 pm

Hi Ivan...thanks for your question...
I'm going out on a limb here since I've been retired for 8 years...but IIRC, SFD decided on a 1-1/8 inch smooth bore tip and 100 feet of 2-1/2 inch hose for the high rise pack. Using nozzle reaction formulas yields forces in excess of 150 lbf with 300 gpm flowing and 125 psi at the valve (approx 100 psi at the nozzle). Better bring a good rope to tie it down! Using a TFT definitely provides better control with the fog and 1" smoothbore options...

Jack G

7/12/2024 12:24:35 pm

Check with you state and municipality as they have modified or changed sections of the IBC for ( in our forte) sprinklers, standpipe flows and pressures, and fire alarm.
Thanks

Danny

10/28/2024 12:09:09 pm

Wouldn't you first have to determine if this was an Automatic, Semi-Automatic, or Manual standpipe? Those pressures are not required on every standpipe.

Where is History of Standpipe Pressure Changes?

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