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I'm looking at requirements for hose valves (FHV) at exit passageways and I'm a little confused.
The code states that a hose connection is required: "in every exit passageway at the entrance from the exit passageway to the other areas of a building. Exception: Where floor areas adjacent to an exit passageway are reachable from exit stairway hose connections by a 30-foot (9144 mm) hose stream from a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30 480 mm) of hose, a hose connection shall not be required at the entrance from the exit passageway to other areas of the building." What is the rationale behind locating a hose valve at the entry of the exit passageway? Is this for fighting fires outside? I have been told it is so that the fire department can quickly locate the hose valve, but I can't imagine they would want to run their hose 130-feet in the passageway just to then have another connection in the stairwell. My passageway is about 100-feet long and it connects to a stairwell that does have a fire hose valve located at the main landing. Why would I need a fire hose valve at the entry of the exit passageway also, which is 100-ft away? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
7 Comments
Glenn Berger
3/26/2021 09:11:50 am
I believe that the generic reason is that entries and exterior hydrant placement are not always in close proximity to each other.
CJ Bonczyk
3/26/2021 09:34:47 am
I believe its based on the reasoning as outlined in the explanatory material from the Handbook. NFPA 14 2019. NFPA 14 Exit 3.3.5. states For Class I & III standpipes hose connections are required to be provided in each exit stair, and each side of a horizontal exit, and in each exit passageway. This is to provide fire fighters with safe staging areas and ensures a reasonable distribution of hose connections throughout the building based on exit location requirements established by local build codes. If the distance from the hose connection to the most remote area exceeds the maximum distances that are specified in Chapter 7 additional hose connections must be provided to meet travel distances.
Darin
3/26/2021 09:36:34 am
It’s so that FF operations can set up on the protected side /non-fire side of the door prior to making entry and then have enough attack line to extend into fire area
Casey Milhorn
3/26/2021 09:36:44 am
Its so the fire fighters can "fight" their way into the building from a protected (fire rated) space. Similar to 2 hour rated stairwells. This is where the fire fighters will set up. When fire rated exit passageways are required its no different than a rated stairwell. It's expected to be a safe exit out for the occupants and also a safe entrance in for the fire crews. Not a fire fighter, so there may be more to it and this is my understanding of why they are placed where they are. But I do understand the confusion as it sounds like the exception makes out like you are fighting into the exit passage, but the purpose of the exception is talking about close access to an already required hose valve. I believe the thinking here is they can fight their way from the passage to the interior hose valve with exterior hoses from the truck. Again, love to here a fire fighters take on this.
chad
3/26/2021 10:04:00 am
Casey is correct. That is exactly why, allowing firefighting operations to start from a rated enclosure hopefully that is not impacted by fire yet.
J.Lutz
3/29/2021 10:20:43 am
I appreciate this discussion!
Hal Burton
10/1/2021 03:40:37 pm
In CJ's comment he referenced "Throughout the building", my understanding in California is that the hose from the stair enclosures must be able to meet "All" areas of the floor, down the hall into the room and out on the balcony, all covered by 130' or 150' (depending on jurisdiction). If this cannot be done, an intermediate horizontal or vertical standpipe valve needs to be located somewhere in the middle to reach "All" areas? Leave a Reply. |
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