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Standpipe Crowding
We have discussed standpipes in the past, but I think it is worth mentioning again. Standpipes in large and high rise buildings are our water source. It is important to know the location of these devices and to ensure that they are not obstructed.
In addition we need to know and understand if they have pressure reducing devices and how that affects our operations. Study up on these systems and know how to adapt and trouble shoot the stand pipes in your area.
The picture shown is a stand pipe in a hotel. I went to ice in the hotel I was staying in and this was right next to the ice machine. I didn't measure it, but this standpipe would be very difficult to connect to. Additionally, if we did get connected with hose only, there would certainly be a kink at the coupling, further reducing our pressure.
This might be a time when we would try to put an elbow on the connection prior to connecting our hose. However, I think that with this particular standpipe connection, it would be a stretch just to get the elbow connected as well.
Know your buildings and their systems. Prepare for these types of problems and come up with solutions before you have a fire. Thanks for reading and train hard.
Jason
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Important tip.
Hard to tell in this instance too, but a 2 1/2" is out of the question due to a kink factor. However, again tough to say from the picture alone, but perhaps a wye could be connected and then an 1 3/4" attached to the wye.
Although if I had to use this, i wouldn't hesitate to beat the hell out of the wall area there and make some more room. Kind of like passing LDH through a car parked at a hydrant. Sometimes customer service just takes a back seat to common sense and lesson learned.
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Permalink Reply by Ernie Scheinert on
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Jason,
First off, I would like to thank you for letting me know that I am not the only one that is always sizing up buildings and situations...it sure does drive the wife and kids nuts though. As you mentioned, a 90-degree elbow appears to be about the only way of connecting to this standpipe and it would be pretty tight quarters. Otherwise, I would go with John's technique and open up the wall or look for another standpipe connection. It is hard to believe that a building inspector allowed this remodel to happen, especially in a hotel.
Ernie
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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How about Taking a pipe wrench and just turn the valve housing 90 degrees so that it faces the hallway?
This one says "put a pipe wrench in the high-rise bag" to me.
The other thing that helps is to carry a short 2-1/2 pigtail hose and connect it to the standpipe. If you need to either extend a 2-1/2 line or wye it down to two smaller lines, you can do either if you get the wye connection away from the standpipe outlet.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Fun post that:
A. Let's me know that I'm not the only one assessing fire protection systems in buildings, any building.
B. Provided subject matter experts to respond and comment.
C. Provided both problems and solutions.
We want more! Keep up the good work brother.
CBz
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This one says "put a pipe wrench in the high-rise bag" to me.
The other thing that helps is to carry a short 2-1/2 pigtail hose and connect it to the standpipe. If you need to either extend a 2-1/2 line or wye it down to two smaller lines, you can do either if you get the wye connection away from the standpipe outlet.
We carry all of that on our HR packs. Wye, 2 1/2 pigtail, pipe wrench. The issue I could see with turning the valve is it may not move, or you could end up busting the connection too. Given the size of the valve, you may need a bigger wrench as well. The pigtail option can still lead to the kink factors as mentioned before. I guess in the end, if either of us saw this on an inspection or preplan, I'm sure something would be mentioned before the device would have to be used.
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Jason,
So when you take such pics, I'm curious if you bring this to the attention of the property owner, etc? Like in this case, did you say something to the hotel about it? Just wondering?
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Permalink Reply by Jason Hoevelmann on
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John,
The honest answer is "sometimes." It really depends on where I am, who I am with and what is going on. In this instance, I mentioned it to the local fire department but not the business owner. This was a 9 story hotel and the odds of me getting someone who would know what I was talking about is pretty slim.
I some cases I will mention that hazard or problem in a "did you know" kind of way.
I also am careful to, if possible, to mention it to the local jurisdiction. Usually in a very casual way.
If is is just a weird "thing" and not a life safety issue, then I usually will not make an issue of it. However, if it is an exit or something to that effect, I will say something.
Hope this answers your question. Thanks for your input and comments, I really do appreciate them.
Jason
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CBz,
Thanks so much, I really do appreciate all the kind words. I will try to keep it productive and interesting. Be sure to keep me on my toes and let me know when it is crap : )
Thanks again,
Jason
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That will work if the section below the connection is lightweight. Some of these hotels are Type I construction and have horizontal steel I-beam braces at about this height. If that's the case, the "tools" might include a torch or plasma cutter.
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