Fire Protection System Summary

To better understand the proper water flow requirements for an NFPA 25 fire protection systems (FPS) that is installed within a general purpose assembly e.g. auditorium we have to look at NFPA 14. It was first created and issued in 1912 and provided the layout, design and water flow requirements of the three different standpipe systems (Klaus, 2014). They are Class I, II and III.
According to Mettauer (2007), a Class I standpipe system provides a 2 ½ inch hose connection for trained personnel or the fire department to use when responding to a fire emergency. The fire department would have to bring their own hose attachment as this class does not come with one. They would have to ensure that the hoses they carry match the connection threads

According to Mettauer (2007), the International Fire Code states that all Class III standpipe system shall be installed throughout buildings if the floor level of highest story is located more than 30 ft. above the lowest level of fire department access or when the floor level of the lowest story is located more than 30 ft. below the highest level of fire department access. This code also requires a Class I, II and III standpipe in a non-sprinklered Group A building. These buildings usually have an occupant load exceeding 1,000 persons e.g. covered malls, stages, underground buildings, helistops, marinas and boatyards to include standpipe systems be added to all existing structures with occupied floors located more than 50 ft. above or below the lowest level of fire department access. These systems will have an approved connection with hose connections at each floor above or below the lowest level of fire department access approved by the fire department. The fire department is the approval authority on the installation of all manual standpipe systems since they are the only ones with the capability of providing the required hose flow at the highest standpipe outlet and determination of placement of the standpipe based on

the maximum pressure at any point in the system will not exceed 350 psi and a residual pressure of 100 psi based on the design. At any time, the fire department is permitted to reduce the pressure requirements based on the local response requirements. The design pressure is based on the amount of hose and nozzle type that the fire department will be utilizing and deploying when responding to a fire situation. Standpipe systems are limited to a maximum height of 275 ft. due to pressure requirements. Buildings over 275 ft. in height usually require the standpipe systems to be split in different zones. Class I and III standpipes will be at least 4 inch in size whereas combined standpipe systems will be at least 6 inch in size. The initial acceptance testing is very similar to that of fire sprinkler systems and will include tests in accordance with NFPA 25 e.g. flush test, hydrostatic test, and flow test (Klaus,