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Standpipe Systems Review
Posted by Brian Brush on June 24, 2014 at 10:00am

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Standpipe systems are designed to supply water to a
remote area (high-rise/low rise commercial and residential, malls, parking

garages, stadiums, warehouses). Standpipe systems are either wet or dry and
systems may or may not be supported (pumps, domestic water). When we
discuss standpipe systems we should also discuss our attack systems; hose,
nozzles and appliances because these tools we will be using are also going to be
remote from our apparatus.
There are three classes of standpipe systems per NFPA 14, Standard for
Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems. Class I: 2 Outlets for firefighter
use. Class II: 1 outlets with 1 hose for occupant use. Class III: 2
outlets with removable 1 reducer for occupant and firefighter use.
There are two pressure standards for Standpipe Systems. From 1918 until 1995
the NFPA standard was 65 PSI at the most remote outlet of a standpipe system.
This was pressure was designed to support 100 feet of 2 hose flowing 266
GPM from a 1 1/8 solid bore nozzle. (15 PSI friction loss for the 100 of hose
and 50 PSI for the nozzle.)
The One Meridian Plaza Fire in 1993 claimed the lives of 3 firefighters and
completely consumed 9 floors of a 35 story high-rise. This fire and the resultant
pressure from the American fire service led NFPA to change the standard to
increase outlet pressures. In 1995 the standard changed to 100 PSI at the most
remote outlet, while a significant increase it is still far below most target
pressures to support fog nozzles and 1 hose attack line packages.
Additionally NFPA included this disclaimer in the new standard
It is very important that fire departments choose an appropriate nozzle type
for their standpipe firefighting operations. Combination fog, constant pressure
and automatic type nozzles should not be used for standpipe operations because
many of this type require a minimum of 100 PSI of pressures at the nozzle inlet
to produce a reasonably effective fire stream. In standpipe operations, hose

friction loss might prevent delivery of 100 PSI to the nozzle inlet. In high-rise
standpipe systems with pressure reducing hose valves, the fire department has
little or no control over hose valve pressures. (NFPA 14 A-5-7.)
Hazards:
Standpipe systems may be poorly maintained, vandalized, improperly designed
and incorrectly installed. Lack of attention to these systems not only during
initial construction but also over the years they sit in these structures leads to
decreased reliability. NFPA estimates that roughly 20% of Americas standpipe
systems are not suitable for use.
Press
ure Reducing Valves and Devices. PRVs and PRDs
are designed to limit the outlets pressure. For example: a system that is
designed to supply 100 PSI outlet pressure to the 12th floor requires at least 155
PSI from the ground level just to overcome head pressure. Pressure reducing
valves or devices may be found on outlets of lower floors including basements
to reduce that higher pressure to the standard 100 PSI outlet pressure. Pressure
reducing valves are typically more complex and built in to the outlet valve
which may or may not be field adjustable. Pressure reducing devices are
typically a simple add on to the valve stem as pictured or outlet orifice like a
butterfly or restrictor, to limit the amount that the valve can be opened or flow.
Due to the simplicity of pressure reducing devices they can often be removed or
defeated in the field easily as long as they are recognized.
Longer Reflex Time (the duration of time from arrival and recognition of fire
to the time crews are applying fire streams). Standpipes supply water to areas
beyond the reach of conventional operations so right away we loose time to
travel. Due to the type of areas standpipes serve (ex: high-rise offices) actual
recognition and location of a fire causes delay. Equipment must not only be
carried to the fire area but it also must be set-up, which only provides the fire
more time to grow.
Considerations and Operations:
Ensure that the system is supported appropriately. In addition to the exterior
FDC, standpipe systems may also be alternatively supported through a lower
floor outlet with the appropriate adapters and removal of any PRDs or PRVs.
As mentioned above the plumbing of standpipes is only one part of the

standpipe system. Our attack system is the other. Low pressure and high volume
are the most desirable properties of attack systems for standpipe operations.
Andy Fredericks gave us the ADULTS acronym in his 1996 Fire Engineering2
1/2" handline article.
Advanced fire upon arrival
Defensive operations
Unknown location or extent of fire
Large uncompartmentalized spaces
Tons of water
Standpipe Operations
As you can see standpipe operations finishes out the acronym. In a 1999 two
part article by Chief Dave McGrail of the Denver Fire Department he outlines
the importance and details the components of a standpipe hose pack. The article
uses the Denver Fold system.
At my department we utilize the Denver Fold which was developed by Chief
McGrail for both our standpipe operations and our extended reach stretches so
you can see the versatility of these attack systems is not limited to high rise or
standpipe applications. Below is a video of the system we utilize but I
recommend you reference Chief McGrail's article (linked above) first for the
original design and a more detailed presentation as well as consider your

department's area and operations before applying modifications.
Take time prepare and consider extra equipment to prevent further delay due to
malfunction. (Spanners, adapters, pipe wrench, vise grips, door chocks, bottles,
hose, ect)
Check outlets that you pass
Remove or adjust pressure-reducing devices if present.

Flush system to pass debris
Make the connection and advance either dry or charged line.
Closing
A blog post on this topic is less than adequate coverage, but it is not intended to
be comprehensive, it is set as a review. The embedded links should start to take
you further in preparation and planning. The biggest take away for discussion is
that standpipe systems are more common than high rises. If your department is
not evaluating the use of standpipe packs because you district lacks high rises
you may not have done a very good job of evaluating risks and you may be
limiting your operational versatility.
Hit the streets and find some buildings with standpipes, try building the Denver
Fold and compare it to the FDNY Bundle in your apparatus bay. Go online and
search pressure reducing valves compared to pressure reducing devices and
explain the differences in construction and operation. Do something today to
help improve your odds of success at a fire in a standpipe building tomorrow.
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Standpipe Systems Review

Posted by Brian Brush on June 24, 2014 at 10:00am

Standpipe systems are designed to supply water to a

remote area (high-rise/low rise commercial and residential, malls, parking

to produce a reasonably effective fire stream. In standpipe operations, hose

As mentioned above the plumbing of standpipes is only one part of the

original design and a more detailed presentation as well as consider your

Check outlets that you pass

Remove or adjust pressure-reducing devices if present.

< Previous Post

Next Post >

Check out the schedule ofUPCOMING SHOWS

Episode 1284: Mikey G & Mikey D

The Professor: Building

High-Rise Fire Group

Becoming a Better Instru

Technical Rope Rescue

This House Rocks!

eLearning in the Fire Se

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