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Standpipe systems provide quick access to water for firefighters in the event of a fire. They are commonly installed in tall or specialized buildings and can be bundled with sprinkler systems. Standpipes can be dry or wet and are designed to maintain pressure. They can reduce liability and insurance costs. Some building codes require standpipes, and it is recommended to consult a fire protection official for system design advice.
A standpipe system is a fire safety system designed to provide quick access to water in the event of a fire. Standpipes are installed as self-contained systems that act as building-specific fire hydrants, providing fire protection that will be readily available to firefighters. You may also see standpipe systems bundled with sprinkler systems, providing automatic or manual sprinklers in addition to connection points for fire hoses.
These systems are most commonly installed in tall, large or highly specialized buildings, in which case a fire could cause damage or problems. They can also be installed in other types of structures. Dry pipe systems consist of a series of pipes that carry water to various places in a building when pumped by firefighters, with the pipes remaining dry and empty when there is no need for it. Wet systems are “charged,” which means they are always filled with water.
The design of a standpipe system is intended to maintain pressure in the event of a fire. A common problem for firefighters is that it can be difficult to get pressure, especially on high floors, which makes it harder to pump water fast enough to put out the fire. Depending on the system design, standpipes may not carry water to all floors. Some buildings are concentrated on lower floors to give people time to evacuate, running the risk of losing upper floors to fire. Common access points for the standpipe system include stairways and corridors.
In a pipe sprinkler system, the system carries water for the sprinkler system and standpipes. In other cases, the systems may run independently to provide redundant coverage. This means that if one system fails, the other can still function, which can be beneficial for some building types.
Having a standpipe system reduces your liability in the event of a fire. Insurance companies usually offer a discount to buildings with fire protection measures like a standpipe system in place, and the more systems they have, the cheaper the insurance will be. People are also being rewarded for redundant fire protection systems, as insurance companies are generally happy to see any sort of risk-reducing measure that they will have to pay for.
Some building codes require standpipes for certain types of buildings. It is a good idea to consult a fire protection official to find out if such a system is recommended or necessary, and to get specific advice on system design.
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