What do you pump a fdc at

Fire department connections are usually located on the outside of the building they protect. Though some FDCs are placed apart from the building. However, this placement is not possible with all buildings, such as shopping centers or malls. In these instances, the local AHJ and governing officials will need to be involved during the development and construction processes to ensure the best location of the FDC.

Regardless of its location, the FDC must also be marked by a sign that indicates what type of system it supplies fire sprinkler system or standpipe , the necessary water pressure required by the FDC, and whether it only supplies a portion of the building complex.

Most fire department connections are pipes protruding from the side of a building in a Y shape. This is commonly known as the Siamese valve or inlet body. The Y portion of the valve is composed of two, swiveling female fittings that are 2. The inlet valve connects to a pipe called the outlet that runs behind the wall.

This pipe is typically 4 or 6 inches in diameter and is the part of the fire department connection that links up with the sprinkler system riser or main. In addition to the inlet body on the exterior of the wall and the outlet piping, an FDC also has a check valve, which prevents water backflow, and caps or plugs that cover the inlet valves to prevent debris from clogging the pipes.

Our personnel are trained to don our PPE in the following sequence:. At no time do our personnel set their helmet or gloves down; they are trained to don their PPE while walking or climbing stairs. We have timed our personnel donning their SCBA mask, helmet, and hood with and without wearing gloves. We found that we get a better seal, cover exposed skin more carefully, and properly tighten the chinstrap in less time with gloves off ultimately putting the gloves before operating than attempting those functions while wearing bulky firefighting gloves.

Q: Many standpipe ops. But the FDC supply piping may be 3-inch diameter compared to a 5-inch supply piping Thoughts? As far as pipe diameter is concerned, it would have to be a small building not to have city supply piping to a standpipe system that is at least 6-inches in diameter. Hence, the engine connected to the FDC will not be flowing any water.

Additionally, there are systems where pumping the FDC at demand pressure is a necessity, not just a precaution, such as dry and manual wet standpipes. Q: In a building with a fire pump supplying the standpipe, do you recommend using the fire pump or the FDC to supply the standpipe? A: You have touched on a hotly debated issue.

I say it depends on the building. For example, if you have buildings with fire pumps that are not regularly tested and poorly maintained, you better supply the FDC at system demand pressure.

These are strong arguments in favor of pumping FDCs at system demand pressure as if the building had no fire pumps. For example, say you have an extremely tall building with a high zone system demand of PSI. First, consider the pressure on the hoselines connected to the FDC.

Therefore, many big city departments have special high-pressure hose specifically for pumping FDCs at high pressures. Additionally, the hoselines should be lashed to the FDC and pump discharges in case a section fails at a coupling. Finally, as mentioned in a previous question, an apparatus pump supplying an FDC at high pressure will rapidly overheat to the point of self-destruction if it is not flowing sufficient water to keep it cool.

Remember, static pressure as read on an in-line gauge is meaningless. Firefighters must fully flow the nozzle to check the in-line gauge and the quality of the stream before entering a hostile environment. If you have insufficient pressure and there are no kinks in the hoseline, you either have debris or a closed valve in the system, a defective or improperly set PRV, or the fire pumps are not operating properly.

If the problem is fire pump failure, you are already connected to the FDC and ready to take over supplying the system. We are looking at 2-inch hose with a 1-inch tip as a lead length for residential HR fires only, not for taxpayer fires.

A: Are you sure about that? Regardless, you are spot on with considering 2-inch hose. Q: We have always been taught to pump to the fire floor.

Multiplying 30 stories X 4. Your pumper supplying the FDC will not open those check valves unless it pumps over PSI regardless of what floor the fire is on. In most cases, the conditions on the fireground will dictate where your apparatus will be placed.

Firefighters should familiarize themselves with all the buildings in their district. Note where the FDCs are located, what systems they serve, and the location of the closest water supply. The next step is to incorporate this knowledge into every response, making the FDC a common part of every response and preplan.

Thomas N. Warren has more than 40 years of experience in the fire service in both career and volunteer departments. He retired as assistant chief of department of the Providence RI Fire Department after 33 years of service. Presently he is a faculty member at Bristol Community College in the Fire Science Technology Program teaching a variety of subjects in the fire science discipline.

Sign in. Forgot your password? Clarion Events Privacy Policy. Password recovery. Recover your password. Get help. Warren Recently, I observed a building fire in a suburban neighboring town.

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