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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on December 21, 2010 at 7:58pm

Chief Garza,

Not knowing your level of expertise in regard to the application of the fire codes, and myself, having retired this year and having the background and experience, please allow me to provide some free consulting, to help explain how I would go about answering this or other questions that have to do with the application of building of fire codes.

Doing minimal research on where you live, there is no readably accessible way for me to know what codes your jurisdiction adopted, so... let's assume being in the state of Texas, that you are going to have the same basic high rise / fdc requirements as say... Austin. The code is the code, and generally speaking, states and the individual counties are pretty much on the same page. The only exception being larger cities such as Dallas or Austin for example that modify the codes to meet their local needs or political agendas. With that said, here's Austin's reference to the building code, which for Texas is now the International Fire Code (IFC).

Here's the IFC code language for Texas FDC's...

Fire Department Connections (FDC’s). FDC’s shall be installed on the fire department
access side of buildings, fully visible and recognizable from the fire department access or as
otherwise approved by the fire code official. FDC’s shall be located not less than 18in. nor
more than 48in. above the level of the adjoining ground, sidewalk, or grade surface.
Immediate access to fire department connections shall be maintained at all times and without
obstruction by fences, bushes, trees, walls or any other object for a minimum of 3 feet. A
metal sign with raised letters at least 1 inch in size shall be mounted on all fire department
connections serving fire sprinklers, standpipes or fire pump connections. Such signs shall
read: AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS or an approved alternative as applicable. Fire department
connections shall be sized such that a two-way 2½ inch siamese connection is provided for all
systems with a demand up to 500gpm. A single outlet fire department connection shall be
acceptable where piped to a 3” or smaller riser. For systems with a demand of more than
500gpm, an additional 2-½ inch connection shall be provided for each 250gpm, or portions
thereof, of design system flow up to a six-way FDC. If the sprinkler/standpipe system demand
exceeds 1,500gpm, then an additional FDC may be required at a location approved by the fire
code official. The diameter of the inlet pipe for the FDC shall be no less than the size of the
system riser; a minimum of four (4) inches for two- or three-way FDC’s; a minimum of six (6)
inches for four-, five-, or six-way FDC’s. New FDC’s shall have approved locking caps
installed. On existing buildings, wherever the fire department connection is not visible to
approaching fire apparatus, the fire department connection shall be indicated by an approved
sign mounted on the street front or on the side of the building. Such sign shall have the letters
“FDC” at least 6 inches high and words in letters at least 2 inches high or an arrow to indicate
the location. All such signs shall be subject to the approval of the fire code official. Existing
FDC’s shall have approved locking caps installed when replacing missing caps.

When in doubt, (A) make contact with your local building official, or even the Texas State Fire Marshal's office for specific direction(s):

Fire Marshal: Paul Maldonado
State Fire Marshal
Phone: (512) 305-7900

(B) remember what Jack Sparrow said in the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean... FOLLOW THE CODE!

(C) Physically look at what it is that you are trying to make better through regulations and see if it makes sense. The FDC needs to be a comfortable height for hose connections and access. The above provide photograph from the Chicago FD and one of their cities high rise FDC connections should give you a clear idea as to what I am saying here. Graphics and photographs always do a good job with communicating things.

You now owe me a cup of coffee should I have the opportunity to pass your way chief...

Happy Holidays!

Mike


Michael Schlags, Fire Captain/Paramedic (Retd.)
Santa Barbara, CA
mschlags@gmail.com

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