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NFPA 14: 

Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems. This standard covers the minimum requirements for the installation of standpipes and hose systems. This standard does not cover requirements for periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance of these systems.

Chapter 5: System Requirements

1. General Provisions

  • The number and arrangement of standpipes depends on:

    • Occupancy type.

    • Building construction and accessibility.

    • Local fire fighting conditions .

  • Always consult the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for system type, class, and special requirements.

  • Location and spacing of standpipes & hose connections → see Chapter 7.

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2. Automatic and Semiautomatic Dry Systems

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2.1 Automatic Dry Systems

  • Pressure Gauges must be installed:

    • Both sides of dry pipe valve.

    • At air receiver, air pump, quick-opening devices.

  • System Volume Limit:

    • Max 750 gal per valve (unless water delivery to remote outlet ≤3 min, with quick-opening device if needed).

  • Valve Location & Protection:

    • Protected from freezing and mechanical injury.

    • Valve rooms: heated, lighted, permanent heat source.

    • Heat tape not allowed as substitute.

  • High Water Level Protection:

    • Automatic signaling or drain device required if water can accumulate above valve clapper.

  • Air Supply Rules:

    • Maintain air/nitrogen pressure year-round.

    • Must restore air pressure within 30 min.

    • Supply pipe ≥ ½ in., enter valve above priming water.

    • Relief valve required (≥10 psi above system air, ≤ manufacturer limits).

    • Air maintenance device required unless compressor <5.5 ft³/min at 10 psi.

    • Each system requires independent backflow prevention.

    • System pressure: ≥20 psi above trip pressure, based on supply water pressure.

    • Air leakage test: 40 psi for 24 hr, loss ≤1.5 psi.

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2.2 Auxiliary Systems

  • A wet standpipe may supply a dry standpipe, if water supply can meet demand.

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2.3 Semiautomatic Dry Systems

  • Remote Control Activation Devices:

    • Listed, located ≤3 ft from hose connection, visible/identified.

    • Must comply with NFPA 72 wiring supervision.

    • Can be secured against unauthorized use.

  • Activation Circuits: protected from damage, compatible/listed.

  • Water Control Valves:

    • Protected from freezing/mechanical damage.

    • Valve rooms: heated, lighted, permanent heat (no heat tracing as substitute).

  • Types of Semiautomatic Dry Systems:

    • Single interlock (water flows on remote activation).

    • Non-interlock (water flows on remote activation or valve opening).

    • Double interlock (requires both).

  • Pressure Gauges: required above/below valves and on air supplies.

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3. Classes of Standpipe Systems

  • Class I:

    • 2½ in. hose connections, for fire departments/trained personnel.

  • Class II:

    • 1½ in. hose stations for trained personnel or FD during initial response.

    • 1 in. hose permitted in light hazard occupancies if listed/approved.

  • Class III:

    • Both 1½ in. hose stations and 2½ in. hose connections.

    • Class II portion may be waived in fully sprinklered buildings (with reducers on Class I outlets).

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4. Required Type of System

  • Class I Systems:

    • In non-high-rise: may be automatic dry, automatic wet, semiautomatic dry, manual dry, or manual wet.

    • In high-rise: must be automatic or semiautomatic.

    • Exception: Open parking garages ≤150 ft high → manual permitted.

    • All required standpipes in high-rise must be auto/semi-auto (including partial/horizontal).

    • Retrofit use: existing 4 in. standpipes supplying sprinklers may be manual if supply adequate for sprinkler demand.

  • Class II & III Systems:

    • Must be automatic wet unless subject to freezing.

    • If freezing risk + trained brigade available → automatic dry or semiautomatic dry permitted.

    • In non-high-rise: Class I portion of Class III may be manual, but Class II must be automatic.

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5. Pressure Gauges

  • Install at:

    • Each fire pump discharge.

    • Public waterworks supply.

    • Pressure tanks.

    • Main drains.

    • Air pumps.

    • Top of each standpipe (may share one gauge for interconnected tops).

    • Above/below valves (alarm check, dry, deluge, backflow, riser check).

  • Must be removable, freeze-protected, with shutoff and drain.

  • Pressure-Regulating Devices:

    • Gauge connections required upstream & downstream.

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6. Waterflow & Supervisory Alarms

  • Required on all systems except manual dry and manual wet.

  • Must be listed devices.

  • Device type must suit system type:

    • Paddle-type → wet standpipes only.

  • Test means required.

  • All alarm/supervisory devices must comply with NFPA 72.

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✅ Engineer’s Takeaway:
Chapter 5 of NFPA 14 sets out the core operational requirements for standpipe systems:

  • Defines automatic/semi-auto dry, wet, and manual systems.

  • Clarifies Class I, II, III applications.

  • Dictates rules for gauges, alarms, air supply, and freezing protection.

  • Requires high-rise standpipes to be automatic or semiautomatic.

Chapter 6: Installation Requirements

1. Location & Protection of Piping

  • Dry standpipes must be monitored with supervisory air pressure (per NFPA 72).

  • Aboveground piping protection (Table 6.1.2.2):

    • Enclose in fire-rated exit stairway, OR

    • Enclose in fire-rated construction (equal to stairway), OR

    • Protect with listed fire wrap/insulation.

  • Exceptions:

    • No fire-rated protection if exit stairways don’t require it.

    • Class II standpipes don’t require protection.

    • Extra standpipes for travel distance (non-high-rise) don’t require protection.

  • Mechanical damage: use bollards, barriers, or approved means.

  • Freezing conditions: keep water-filled piping at 40–120°F.

    • ❌ Antifreeze not allowed.

    • ✅ Listed heat tracing permitted (must be supervised and insulated).

    • PE calculations may allow unheated areas if no freeze risk.

  • Corrosion: use corrosion-resistant materials or coatings if exposed to weather/chemicals.

  • Seismic: follow NFPA 13 seismic bracing requirements.

  • Pitching:

    • Dry & semiautomatic systems → ¼ in. per 10 ft.

    • Refrigerated areas → ½ in. per 10 ft.

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2. Underground Piping

  • Must comply fully with NFPA 24 (private fire service mains).

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3. Gate Valves & Check Valves

  • Connections to water supply:

    • Approved indicating valve + check valve close to supply.

    • May be inside building.

    • Not required if supplied by fire pumps.

    • Not required for manual dry systems (but isolation valves needed if >1 standpipe).

    • Manual wet systems must have indicating + check valve.

  • Isolation valves: required on all standpipes (including manual dry & horizontals).

  • Branch line valves: if remote hose connection >40 ft away, must have indicating valve.

  • Combined standpipe/sprinkler systems: each sprinkler connection must have its own control + check valve.

  • Water supply valves:

    • All must have listed indicating valves.

    • Marked for service, accessible, and protected.

    • Post-indicator valves allowed; roadway box + T-wrench if not possible.

  • Valve supervision:

    • Must be supervised open (central station, proprietary, remote, local attended alarm, locked open, or sealed + weekly inspection).

    • Underground gate valves with roadway boxes don’t require supervision.

  • Signs:

    • All control, drain, and test valves must be labeled.

    • Combination systems (loop/dual feed) → signs must indicate all necessary valves to isolate.

    • Hose connections outside stairways → signs per NFPA 170.

    • Valve cabinets → red letters on white background, 2½ in. tall.

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4. Fire Department Connections (FDC)

  • No isolation valves allowed between FDC and system piping.

  • Check valve required, close to inlets, not subject to freezing.

  • Location in system:

    • Automatic wet & manual wet → system side of valve/check/pump, before isolating valves.

    • Automatic dry → system side of control/check, supply side of dry pipe valve.

    • Semiautomatic dry → system side of deluge valve.

    • Manual dry → directly connected, with check valve.

  • ❌ Never on suction side of pumps.

  • Freezing climates: install automatic drip valve at low point.

  • FDC location:

    • Visible and accessible from street or FD access.

    • Not blocked by landscaping, vehicles, or structures.

    • ≤100 ft from nearest hydrant (AHJ can allow >100 ft).

    • Inlets 18–48 in. above grade.

  • FDC signs:

    • Must read “STANDPIPE”.

    • Manual systems → must add “MANUAL WET” or “MANUAL DRY.”

    • If shared with sprinklers → “STANDPIPE AND AUTOSPKR.”

    • Must list required inlet pressure (unless ≤150 psi).

    • If serving multiple buildings → sign must list all buildings served.

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5. Piping Support

  • Standpipe piping supports must follow NFPA 13 rules.

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6. Signs

  • All system signage must be corrosion-resistant and permanently fastened.

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7. Water Supply Pumps

  • If a fire pump is used:

    • Provide a sign near the pump.

    • Sign must state minimum discharge pressure & flow needed to meet standpipe demand.

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8. Hydraulic Design Information Sign

  • Contractor must install a permanent sign showing the design basis.

  • Location:

    • At water supply control valve for automatic/semi-auto systems.

    • At AHJ-approved location for manual systems.

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✅ Engineer’s Takeaway:
Chapter 6 ensures standpipe systems are installed correctly, with:

  • Piping protected from fire, freezing, corrosion, and earthquakes.

  • Proper valves, supervision, and signage.

  • Accessible, properly marked fire department connections.

  • Documented design information for future verification.

Chapter 7: Design

1. General Provisions

  • Standpipe design is based on:

    • Building height and number of stories.

    • Occupancy classification.

    • Floor area per story.

    • Egress system design.

    • Required flow rates and pressures.

    • Distance of hose connections from water supply

  • Pressure-regulating devices must be listed/approved for full range of anticipated flows and pressures.

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2. Pressure Limitations

  • Max pressure anywhere in system = 400 psi.

  • Express mains feeding higher zones may exceed 400 psi if pipe listing and AHJ approval permit.

  • ❌ No hose valves permitted on piping >400 psi.

  • At 1½ in. hose valves:

    • If residual >100 psi → PRD required to limit to 100 psi.

    • If static >175 psi → PRD required to limit ≤175 psi.

  • At 2½ in. hose valves:

    • If static >175 psi → PRD required to limit ≤175 psi.

  • Where more than two hose valves are downstream of a PRD:

    • Must have redundancy (series devices).

    • Must have bypass valve.

    • PRD not >7 ft 6 in. above floor.

    • Gauges required both sides.

    • Supervised per NFPA 72

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3. Hose Connection Locations

3.1 General

  • Hose outlets 3–5 ft above floor (center of valve).

  • Must be unobstructed (not behind doors, etc.).

3.2 Class I Systems

  • Hose valves required:

    • At each main stair landing.

    • On each side of horizontal exits.

    • In each exit passageway.

    • At top of stairs with roof access (or on roof).

    • At roof itself if no stair access and roof slope <4:12.

  • Travel distance limits:

    • 200 ft in sprinklered buildings.

    • 130 ft in nonsprinklered buildings.

  • Extra hose valves required where distance to remote areas exceeds:

    • 150 ft (unsprinklered).

    • 200 ft (sprinklered).

  • Open parking garages: distance reduced to 130 ft for manual dry standpipes.

3.3 Class II Systems

  • Must provide hose stations so all areas are within:

    • 130 ft of a 1½ in. hose station, OR

    • 120 ft if hose smaller than 1½ in.

3.4 Class III Systems

  • Must meet both Class I and II requirements.

  • Exception: In sprinklered buildings, Class II hose stations may be omitted if 2½ in. valves have reducers + caps.

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4. Number of Standpipes

  • Separate standpipe required in each required exit stairway.

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5. Interconnection of Standpipes

  • Multiple standpipes in same building must be interconnected.

  • Exceptions: AHJ may waive interconnection in some cases.

  • Wet standpipes interconnected top & bottom → check valves required at bases.

  • Dry standpipes limited to one interconnection level.

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6. Minimum Pipe Sizes

  • Standpipes = minimum 4 in.

  • Combined standpipes in partially sprinklered buildings = 6 in.

  • Fully sprinklered, hydraulically calculated systems = 4 in. minimum.

  • Branch lines = not less than 2½ in.

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7. System Design & Sizing for Demand Delivery

  • Class I & III standpipes must be designed so demand can be supplied by each FDC.

  • Auto/semi-auto systems must also be independently supplied by both attached water supply and FDC.

  • Manual systems: attached supply (for sprinklers or priming) does not need to meet standpipe demand.

  • Local fire department must be consulted for pumper capacity.

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8. Minimum & Maximum Pressures

  • Hydraulically designed standpipes must provide:

    • 100 psi residual at most remote 2½ in. hose valve.

    • 65 psi residual at most remote 1½ in. hose station.

  • Manual standpipes must provide 100 psi residual at most remote 2½ in. valve (calcs stop at FDC).

  • Hose valve friction losses must use manufacturer data or NFPA tables.

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9. Standpipe Zones

  • Each pressure zone must have separate pump/discharge.

  • Pumps in series are permitted.

  • Each higher zone must have at least two supply risers sized for demand.

  • Where FD pumper cannot supply upper zones, auxiliary supply (tank/pump) is required.

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10. Flow Rates

10.1 Class I & III

  • Most remote standpipe:

    • 500 gpm (two most remote 2½ in. valves, 250 gpm each).

  • Horizontal standpipes (≥3 hose valves):

    • 750 gpm total from 3 remote valves.

  • Additional standpipes:

    • 250 gpm each (if ≤80,000 ft² per floor).

    • If >80,000 ft² → 500 gpm (second standpipe) + 250 gpm (third).

  • Max total flow:

    • 1000 gpm for sprinklered buildings.

    • 1250 gpm for nonsprinklered.

10.2 Class II

  • Most remote hose station:

    • 100 gpm.

  • No extra flow required for additional outlets.

10.3 Max Per Outlet

  • 2½ in. outlet: 250 gpm max.

  • 1½ in. outlet: 100 gpm max.

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11. Drains & Test Risers

  • Required drain riser for systems with PRDs, sized to handle full flow of device.

  • Drain riser connections every other floor, with hose threads + plugs.

  • All standpipes require main drain per NFPA figure.

  • Additional drains at isolation valves; auxiliary drains at trapped sections.

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12. Fire Department Connections (FDCs)

  • At least 1 FDC per standpipe system.

  • High-rise/multi-zone: 2 FDCs per zone, on opposite sides if possible.

  • FDC must be within 50 ft of fire access point.

  • FDC inlets: 2½ in. each, one inlet per 250 gpm demand.

  • Large-diameter hose connections permitted if approved.

  • Inlets may be split across multiple FDCs/locations.

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✅ Engineer’s Takeaway:
Chapter 7 is the heart of standpipe design: it dictates pressures, flows, pipe sizes, outlet locations, number of risers, and FDC sizing. If you can answer:

  • “Where are the hose valves?”

  • “How many risers, how big?”

  • “What’s the flow & pressure requirement?”

  • “Where are the FDCs?”

…you’ve basically applied Chapter 7.

Chapter 8: Plans and Calculations

. Working Plans – General

  • Must be submitted to the AHJ before installation

  • Drawn to a uniform scale and sheet size.

  • Must clearly show system arrangement, equipment, and compliance details.

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2. Required Information on Drawings

Include at minimum:

  1. Owner and occupant names.

  2. Building address and compass direction.

  3. Installing contractor’s name and address.

  4. Water supply data:

    • City main size, type (dead end/circulating), distance to loop.

    • Flow test results: static, residual, flow, hydrant location, date, tester.

    • System elevation relative to test hydrant.

  5. Other water sources: tanks, pumps, reservoirs, elevations.

  6. Approximate capacity of each dry standpipe.

  7. Complete water supply information (location, static/residual pressures, flow).

  8. Pipe details: type, schedule, sizes, cutting lengths, center-to-center dimensions.

  9. Fittings and joints (threaded, welded, grooved), welds, and bends.

  10. Hangers, braces, sleeves, and method of support.

  11. All valves (control, check, drains, PRVs, etc.).

  12. Alarm valves and deluge/dry pipe valves (make, type, model, size).

  13. Alarm devices: type, location.

  14. Standpipes, hose connections, hoses, cabinets, and equipment.

  15. Hydraulic data plate information.

  16. Hydraulic reference points (matching calc sheets).

  17. PRV/PRD settings and manufacturer/model.

  18. Hydrant size, location, relation to FDC.

  19. FDC size, location, piping arrangement.

  20. Scale and graphical reference.

  21. Hose valve manufacturer/model.

  22. Required pressures at hose valves.

  23. Hose valves used in hydraulic calcs must be marked.

  24. System demand (flow and pressure) at:

    • FDC inlet.

    • Fire pump discharge flange.

    • Tank discharge.

    • Other sources.

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3. Specifications & Elevation

NFPA 14-2019 Chap 8 Plans and C…

  • Plans must include specifications: materials, components, devices.

  • Must include elevation diagram with floor levels.

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4. Hydraulic Calculations – Required

  • All standpipe piping sized by hydraulic calcs.

  • Must submit a complete set:

    • Summary Sheet: project, hazard, number of standpipes, system demand.

    • Detailed Worksheets:

      • Hose valve K-values.

      • Reference nodes, flows, pipe sizes/lengths.

      • Equivalent lengths for fittings/valves.

      • Friction losses, elevation head, required pressures.

      • Notes on starting points.

    • Graph Sheet:

      • Supply curve.

      • Standpipe demand curve.

      • Hose demand (if applicable).

      • Partial sprinkler demand (if combined system).

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5. Hydraulic Calculation Procedures

  • Use the most demanding hose connection(s) as per Chapter 7.

  • Calcs must include:

    • Hose valve loss + connecting piping loss.

    • Equivalent pipe lengths from fittings/devices (Table 8.3.1.3, or manufacturer data if higher).

    • Friction loss adjustments for different Hazen–Williams C-factors.

    • Internal diameter corrections if not Schedule 40 steel.

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6. Hazen–Williams Formula (Friction Loss)

  • Default C-factors (Table 8.3.2.3):

    • 100 → unlined cast/ductile iron.

    • 120 → black steel (dry).

    • 130–150 → lined steel, galvanized, copper, plastic.

  • Formula

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​​

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    • p = psi/ft.

    • Q = gpm.

    • C = Hazen–Williams roughness coefficient.

    • d = actual inside diameter (in).

  • where:

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✅ Engineer’s Takeaway:
Chapter 8 sets the submittal and calculation backbone:

  • Every drawing must be complete, traceable, and match calc sheets.

  • Hydraulic calcs must be transparent, with all losses, nodes, and demands shown.

  • AHJs and peer reviewers should be able to reproduce the numbers using the given data.

Hazen William Formula
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