SECTION 6.4  STANDPIPE AND HOSE SYSTEMS

Subsection 6.4.1.  General

6.4.1.1.  During alteration of a building required to have a standpipe and hose system, the system shall be installed or dismantled progressively so as to provide protection to all floor areas.

6.4.1.2.  Standpipe and hose systems shall be maintained in operating condition.

Fire department connections

6.4.1.3.  (1)  Except when in use or being inspected in accordance with Article 6.4.3.7., fire department connections shall be equipped with plugs or caps that are secured wrench-tight.

(2)  If plugs or caps are missing, the fire department connections shall be examined for obstructions, back-flushed when conditions warrant and the plugs or caps replaced.

Out of service requirements

6.4.1.4.  (1)  If a standpipe system or any part thereof is shut down

(a)   the fire department and building occupants shall be notified in accordance with Article 1.1.1.1., and
(b)   the supervisory staff shall be notified.

Hotels

6.4.1.5.  In buildings containing a hotel, a standpipe and hose system shall not be shut down, disconnected or otherwise impaired without notifying the Chief Fire Official in accordance with a schedule identified in the approved fire safety plan.

Inspection, testing and maintenance

6.4.1.6.  Compliance with the inspection, testing and maintenance provisions of NFPA 25, “Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems”, for standpipe and hose systems is deemed to satisfy the requirements of Articles 6.4.2.1. to 6.4.2.5. and Subsection 6.4.3.

Subsection 6.4.2.  Maintenance and Inspection of Hose Stations and Equipment

Hose stations

6.4.2.1.  Hose stations shall be inspected monthly to ensure that the hose is in proper position and that all of the equipment is in place and in operable condition.

6.4.2.2.  Standpipe and hose system equipment shall be used for fire protection only.

6.4.2.3.  Standpipe hose stations shall be conspicuously identified and unobstructed.

Hose valves

6.4.2.4.  Hose valves shall be inspected annually to ensure that they are tight so that there is no water leakage into the hose.

Hose

6.4.2.5.  (1)  Standpipe hose shall be unracked, unreeled or unrolled and inspected at least annually and after use, and any worn hose or gaskets in the couplings at the hose valves and at the nozzle replaced.

(2)  If the hose is replaced on the rack, reel or storage area, it shall be reracked, rereeled or rerolled so that any folds do not occur at the same position they were previously on the hose.

Standpipe identification

6.4.2.6.  (1)  Except as required in Sentence (2), each hose connection in a standpipe system shall be provided with a legible sign reading: “FIRE HOSE FOR USE BY TRAINED PERSONS ONLY”.

(2)  Each hose connection in a dry standpipe system with no permanent water supply shall be provided with a legible weatherproof sign reading: “DRY STANDPIPE FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT USE ONLY”.

Hose cabinets

6.4.2.7.  (1)  If a fire hose station is located in a cabinet, an approved lockable, scored glass break-front cabinet may be used.

(2)  Hose stations in a major occupancy consisting of detention occupancy may be located in secure areas, or in lockable cabinets where

(a)   identical keys for all cabinets are located at all guard stations, or
(b)   electrical remote release devices are provided and are connected to an emergency power supply.

Subsection 6.4.3.  Checking, Inspection and Testing

Standpipe systems

6.4.3.1.  (1)  Standpipe systems that have been modified, extended or are being restored to service after a period of disuse exceeding one year shall be tested in conformance with Articles 6.4.3.2. to 6.4.3.5.

(2)  Where standpipes are built in walls or partitions, the tests shall be made before the standpipes are concealed.

Hydrostatic test

6.4.3.2.  (1)  Standpipe system piping shall be hydrostatically tested for 2 hours at a pressure of not less than

(a)   1400 kPa (gauge), or
(b)   350 kPa (gauge) in excess of the normal hydrostatic pressure when the normal hydrostatic pressure is in excess of 1050 kPa (gauge).

Fire department connections

6.4.3.3.  Piping between the fire department connection and the check valve in the inlet pipe to the standpipe shall be hydrostatically tested in the same manner as the remainder of the system.

Underground mains

6.4.3.4.  (1)  Underground mains and connections shall be hydrostatically tested for 2 hours at a hydrostatic pressure of 350 kPa (gauge) in excess of the maximum hydrostatic pressure in service, but not less than 1400 kPa (gauge).

(2)  Leakage during the test shall not exceed 2 L/h per 100 joints for pipe laid with rubber gasketted joints, and 30 mL/h per 25 mm of pipe diameter per joint for pipe laid with caulked lead or lead substitute joints.

Flow and pressure tests

6.4.3.5.  Flow and pressure tests shall be conducted at the highest and most remote hose valve or hose connection to ensure that the water supply for the standpipe system is provided as originally designed.

Dry standpipes

6.4.3.6.  (1)  Standpipe system piping which normally remains dry shall be hydrostatically tested in accordance with Article 6.4.3.2. at intervals of not more than five years.

(2)  Water supply pressure and system air pressure for automatic dry standpipe systems shall be checked weekly by using gauges to ensure that the system is maintained at the required operating pressure.

Fire department connections

6.4.3.7.  (1)  The dry portion of the fire department connection piping of a standpipe system shall be hydrostatically tested at a pressure of not less than 1050 kPa (gauge) for 2 hours at intervals of not more than five years where

(a)   the fire department connection piping has been in service for more than thirty years, or
(b)   the age of the fire department connection piping cannot be determined.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), if, on July 1, 2018, fire department connection piping has not been hydrostatically tested within the previous five years, the first test required by Sentence (1) shall be completed before January 1, 2019.

(3)  Fire department connection piping shall be inspected annually with any plugs or caps removed to ensure that

(a)   the fire department connection is physically unobstructed and readily accessible,
(b)   the fire department connection identification sign is in place and visible,
(c)   the fire department connection is free of wear, rust or obstruction,
(d)   couplings or swivels are not damaged and rotate smoothly,
(e)   gaskets are in place and in good condition,
(f)   the check valve is not leaking,
(g)   the automatic drain valve is in place and operating properly, and
(h)   fire department connection clappers are in place and operating properly.

(4)  The annual inspection referenced in Sentence (3) shall be recorded and kept in accordance with Subsection 1.1.2.

Hotels

6.4.3.8.  In buildings containing a hotel, flow and pressure tests shall be conducted annually at the highest and most remote hose valve or hose connection to verify that the water supply for the standpipe system is provided as originally designed.