13 standpipes sprinklers fdny

Probationary Firefighters Manual Chapter 13 STANDPIPES & SPRINKLERS

OBJECTIVE: To introduce members to the auxiliary fire protection equipment installed in some buildings which is utilized by the FDNY.

CONTENTS: Standpipes Sprinklers

SOURCE: FDNY Firefighting Procedures, Vol. 2, Book 1 Engine Co. Ops. Chapter 9,10

FDNY REFERENCE: FDNY Firefighting Procedures, Vol. 2, Book 1 Engine Co. Ops.

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PART ONE

STANDPIPES Section Title Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................1

2 TYPES OF STANDPIPE SYSTEMS ..........................................1

3 SUPPLYING STANDPIPE SYSTEMS ......................................3

4 OPERATING FROM STANDPIPE SYSTEMS .........................5

FDNY Probationary Firefighters Manual Chapter Thirteen STANDPIPES AND SPRINKLERS

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PART ONE: STANDPIPE OPERATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The City of New York is the Nation's foremost "vertical" city with over one thousand high rise buildings. Firefighting in these buildings is challenging and success depends upon both the condition of the standpipe system and our skill and efficiency in using it. Tall buildings, however, are not the only structures equipped with standpipes. Requirements for the installation of standpipe systems are predicated on several factors. The primary factors are the height and area of the structure. Standpipe systems are often installed in locations with no access for fire department vehicles (such as parking garages) or where excessive distance precludes the stretching of hoselines directly from engine apparatus (such as on bridges).As such, standpipes may be found in any of the following places:

High Rise Residential and Office Buildings

Large Area Buildings such as Hospitals, Terminals, Warehouses, and Industrial Buildings

Enclosed Shopping Malls

Theaters, Stadiums, and Arenas

Parking Garages

Bridges and Tunnels

Limited Access Highways

Piers and Wharves 1.2 Pre-incident Planning

Engine and ladder companies should be familiar with the standpipe systems found in their response areas and any special characteristics or problems with these systems. Many buildings and other structures equipped with standpipes are already included in CIDS for various reasons, but CIDS information related to the standpipe system itself may not be available. Buildings that require a stretch of more than three lengths of hose should be included in CIDS for this specific reason. Engine company chauffeurs should pay particular attention to the location and condition of siamese connections and nearby hydrants.

2. TYPES OF STANDPIPE SYSTEMS

2.1 Standpipe systems can be categorized in one of two ways:

A. By whether or not the system riser contains water.

Standpipe systems can be broadly classified as wet, dry, or combination. Wet systems contain water in the riser at all times supplied by city

main, gravity tank, pressure tank, and/or fire pump (see Fig.17-1).


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Dry systems may be equipped with an automatic source of supply, but many contain no water and the only supply is from fire department pumpers. This latter type is called a "manual dry" standpipe system.

Combination systems consist of sprinklers interconnected with a standpipe system. Most of these systems are "wet" and are of special concern because the water flow demands of both sprinkler heads and hose lines attached to the standpipe system requires prompt augmentation by fire department pumpers.

B. By the size (diameter) of the hose outlets.

Standpipe systems may contain only 2 1/2" outlets, both 2 1/2" and 1 1/2" outlets, or 2 1/2" outlets reduced to 1 1/2" with a removable fitting. In many cases, 1 1/2" unlined, linen hose designed for "occupant use" will be encountered.

Fig. 17-1


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2.2 Engine companies shall utilize only Department issued hose for standpipe firefighting. Engine companies shall not attempt to use the "occupant use" hose sometimes provided with these systems, even in those instances when the hose is 2 1/2" in diameter. Occupant use hose may not be maintained properly, is often old, and may fail under Department operating pressures. If a reducer is encountered, it must be removed to permit attachment of our 2 1/2" hose to the standpipe outlet. (The stretching of occupant use hose by ladder and rescue companies operating remotely from an engine company while performing searches, may be justified in an attempt to save lives.)

3. SUPPLYING STANDPIPE SYSTEMS

3.1 Standpipe systems may be supplied through siamese connections and/or floor outlets. Floor outlets are often used when siamese connections are vandalized or to reinforce augmentation with additional supply lines.

3.2 Siamese connections are color coded for ease of identification. Either the caps or the entire siamese connection may be painted. Standpipe siamese connections are painted red. For reference, the other colors used and what they indicate are as follows:

Red Standpipe Green Automatic Sprinkler System Aluminum Non-automatic Sprinkler or Perforated Pipe Yellow Combination Sprinkler/Standpipe

If no color coding is present, each siamese connection should be identifiable as to the type of system it supplies. This information is usually embossed or stamped on a plate or the siamese connection itself.

3.3 Standpipe systems should always be supplied with 3 1/2" hose. 3.4 Whenever possible, standpipe systems should be supplied by at least two different

pumpers.

3.5 Whenever possible, standpipe systems should be supplied through at least two independent siamese connections. If there is only a single siamese connection, a second supply line can be attached to the first floor outlet. Additional floor outlets can be supplied if required.

3.6 If a standpipe system is to be supplied via a floor outlet, proper fittings must be employed to attach the 3 1/2" hose to the 2 1/2" outlet threads. In addition, if a pressure reducing/restricting device (PRD) is found on the standpipe outlet, it should be removed. If the PRD cannot be removed, and there is no other outlet available without a PRD, than it is permissible to use an outlet with a PRD.

3.7 As a general rule, there should be a separate engine company supplying the standpipe system for each hoseline placed in service.

3.8 If a building is equipped with both a standpipe system and automatic sprinklers,

the first supply line must be attached to the standpipe siamese. The ECC supplying the system must verify that it is attached to the correct siamese connection. If the first due engine is supplying both the standpipe and sprinkler


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systems, the second and third due engine companies must stretch additional lines to augment both systems.

3.9 Difficulties may be encountered with siamese connections. These difficulties include missing caps, defective threads, debris stuffed into the connection, tight caps, female swivels out-of-round, frozen female swivels, and clappers either broken or jammed open. Never insert any part of your hand inside the connection to clear debris. In addition to broken glass and sharp metal edges, junkies have been known to store or discard hypodermic needles inside siamese connections. A spare 3" male cap should be carried by all engine companies in the event it becomes necessary to cap one side of the siamese connection to prevent an outflow of water due to a malfunctioning clapper valve. Immediately stretching and connecting a second 3 1/2" line is another remedy for this problem. Fig. 17-2A to 17-2D illustrates various solutions to the problem of caps stuck in place, defective threads, and frozen female swivels.

Fig. 17-2A Fig. 17-2B

Fig. 17-2C Fig. 17-2D

Tap swivels to loosen paint, polish, dirt etc.

Twist hose 4-5 left turns, insert, and turn to the right

Insert siamese 3"x3"x3", insert hose.

Insert double 3" male, attach 3" double female swivel, and insert.


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3.10 Many siamese connections are equipped with

either metallic or plastic vandal proof caps. These caps are usually attached with screw eyes placed over the pin lugs on the female swivel (see Fig. 17-3 ). Both metal and plastic caps are removed by striking the center of the cap with a tool. Caps can also be removed by prying one of the screw eyes off the pin lug.

3.11 The pump discharge pressure for each hoseline attached to a standpipe system is 100 psi plus 5 psi for each floor above grade. This assumes two lengths of 3 1/2" hose between the pumper and the siamese, three lengths of 2 1/2" hose attached to the standpipe outlet, and the use of a controlling nozzle with a 1 1/8" MST.

3.12 High-pressure pumping operations are described in Firefighting Tactics and Procedures, High Rise Office Buildings, Section 5.

4. OPERATING FROM STANDPIPE SYSTEMS

4.1 Required Equipment

A. Standpipe Kit. Each engine company shall carry a "standpipe kit" with the following minimum basic complement of tools:

2 1/2" controlling nozzle with 1 1/8" main stream tip and 1/2" outer stream tip.

Hand control wheel(s) for outlet valve.

2 1/2" x 2 1/2" in-line pressure gauge.

Pipe wrench (minimum 18" in length).

Spanner wrenches.

Door chocks.

Special adapters as required. For example, some buildings may contain floor outlet valves with non-New York City threads. Adapters for connecting FDNY 2 1/2" hose to National Standard Thread or National Pipe Thread may be required.

B. Four lengths of folded 2 1/2" hose. In most instances, three lengths will be brought into the building by each engine company. Some companies may opt to keep a 2 1/2" controlling nozzle pre-connected to one of the folded lengths as this is an acceptable practice.

4.2 Due to the complexity of supplying and stretching from standpipe systems, the first and second due engine companies will always operate together in order to ensure prompt and efficient placement of the first hoseline.

Fig. 17-3


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4.3 All hoselines stretched from standpipes shall be 2 1/2" diameter hose with

controlling nozzle and 1 1/8" Main Stream Tip. All hoselines stretched from standpipes shall be connected to outlets on floors below the fire floor (see Fig.17-4).

Fig. 17-4


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4.4 The officer and control firefighter

from the second due engine company should relieve the first due control firefighter at the hose outlet and communicate with the first due engine officer to ensure that adequate pressure is supplied to the nozzle. It remains the first due engine control firefighter's responsibility to ensure a proper hook-up to the hose outlet, including connection of any necessary fittings and adapters, as well as removal of the PRD. The in-line pressure gauge should always be used to ensure correct nozzle pressure and a good fire stream (see Fig. 17-5).

4.5 If a second line is required on the fire floor, it may have to be stretched from a hose outlet two (2) floors below the fire or from another standpipe riser. Both of these situations often require at least four lengths of hose.

4.6 Scissor stairs create additional complexities and will usually require the stretching of four or more lengths of hose (see Figure 17-6). This information should be included in CIDS.

Figure 17-6

Fig. 17-5


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4.7 In tall buildings, PRDs may be installed. These PRDs are designed to reduce, restrict, or otherwise control the pressure available at the standpipe hose outlet. Several types of PRDs produced by various manufacturers may be encountered in the field. See Fig. 17-7A to 17-7C for several illustrations that are in use within the City of New York. At fire operations, whether supplying or operating from a standpipe outlet, the PRD should be removed because of the reduced water flow. If the PRD cannot be removed, and there is no other outlet available without a PRD, than it is permissible to use an outlet with a PRD. Due to the potential for pressure problems when operating from standpipe systems, the FT-2 tip should not be used because it requires a high nozzle pressure to produce an effective fire stream.

Fig. 17-7A

Three types of PRDs Fig. 17-7B

Vane type PRD

Fig. 17-7C Inside of vane type Pressure

Restricting Device


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4.8 Prior to attaching the in-line pressure gauge, flush the standpipe system

thoroughly through the floor outlet. It is difficult to clog a controlling nozzle, but rubber balls and soda cans lodged within a standpipe riser or piping certainly can do it.

4.9 Nozzle pressure is to be adjusted by use of the hand wheel at the hose outlet valve and by observing the in-line gauge. This requires coordination between the engine company officer supervising the advance of the nozzle and the officer and control firefighter of the second due engine company at the hose outlet valve. Handie-talkie communications are essential. It should be noted here that the in-line gauge reading is only accurate when the nozzle is open fully and water is flowing. If the gauge is read after opening the hose outlet valve, but before the nozzle is opened, the reading will not be accurate. When the nozzle is finally opened, there will be a dramatic drop in pressure and an ineffective fire stream will result. It is important to monitor the in-line gauge closely after the nozzle is opened and adjust the valve wheel sufficiently to provide the proper pressure. As a rule of thumb three lengths of 2 1/2" hose requires 70 psi at the outlet and four lengths of 2 1/2" hose requires 80 psi at the outlet WITH WATER FLOWING.

4.10 When attaching lengths of hose together, especially in a smoke condition, be careful not to connect the hose in a loop or to create excessive knots or twists in the line.

4.11 As with the advance of any hoseline, ensure the line is charged and bled before entering the fire area. Sometimes this may require charging and bleeding the line in the stairway, such as when an apartment door is left open and high heat conditions exist in the hallway or at commercial building fires with large, open floor areas. Other times, the line can be stretched dry to the apartment door, and charged and bled in the public hallway.

4.12 As the first due engine company begins its advance on the fire, the second due engine must assist with line movement and be prepared at any moment to relieve the first engine company. Air conservation is an important consideration for the second due engine. If it is not possible to conserve air due to smoke and heat conditions, additional engine companies may be utilized by the Incident Commander to reinforce the critical position of the first hoseline.

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PART TWO

SPRINKLERS Section Title Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................13

2 TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS .........................................13

3 AUGMENTING SPRINKLER SYSTEMS .................................14

4 OPERATING IN SPRINKLERED BUILDINGS .......................15


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PART TWO: SPRINKLER SYSTEM OPERATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The first line of defense against fire in many occupancies is an automatic sprinkler system. Properly operating sprinkler systems have a success record of better than 96%. Most automatic sprinkler system failures can be traced to human error, sabotage, vandalism, or explosions which knock out sprinkler system piping. It is essential that all firefighters have a sound, working knowledge of automatic sprinkler systems and the specific tasks required of the engine company to support them.

1.2 Automatic sprinkler systems are found in many types of occupancies including mercantile, commercial, industrial, warehousing and assembly. Increasingly, sprinkler systems are being installed in residential occupancies--both permanent (multiple dwellings) and transient (hotels and motels).

1.3 Pre-incident Planning

Engine and ladder companies should be familiar with automatic sprinkler systems found in their response areas and any special characteristics or problems with these systems. Many buildings equipped with automatic sprinkler systems are already included in CIDS for various reasons, but CIDS information related to the sprinkler system itself may not be available. Engine company chauffeurs should pay particular attention to the location and condition of siamese connections and nearby hydrants.

2. TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

2.1 There are several types of automatic sprinkler systems found in New York City. Water supplies for automatic sprinkler systems include city main and usually one other source--gravity tank, pressure tank, cistern or suction tank.

A. WET PIPE: Wet pipe sprinkler systems contain water in the riser and piping at all times. As soon as a sprinkler head activates due to the heat of a fire, water is immediately discharged through the open head.

B. DRY PIPE: Dry pipe sprinkler systems contain air (or sometimes nitrogen) in the riser and piping at all times. The air (or nitrogen) is under pressure and this pressure maintains a "differential dry pipe valve" in the closed position. When a sprinkler head activates, the air (or nitrogen) is exhausted through the open head, thus allowing the differential dry pipe valve to open and water to be admitted to the riser and piping. Some dry pipe systems are equipped with quick opening devices (QOD's) which assist in exhausting the air or nitrogen from the system thus allowing water to reach the open head more quickly. Dry pipe systems are installed where there is a danger of freezing.

C. DELUGE: Deluge type sprinkler systems are equipped with a "deluge"

valve which opens upon an electrical signal received from a smoke, heat, or infrared (flame) detector. In a deluge system, all sprinkler heads (or nozzles) are open and will flow water simultaneously. Deluge systems are


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often found in aircraft hangars or where large quantities of flammable liquids are used in industrial processes.

D. PRE-ACTION: A pre-action type of sprinkler system consists of fusible sprinkler heads, dry piping, and a valve which is opened upon an electrical signal from a smoke, heat, or infrared (flame) detector. Pre-action systems are most often found in computer rooms or where other sensitive electronic equipment is used. The idea is that once a fire is detected, the valve opens admitting water to the piping. If manual fire control efforts are unsuccessful, the sprinkler system actuates and will quickly control the fire. By maintaining the piping dry during normal operations, the danger of a large water damage loss due to a break in the piping or accidental damage to a sprinkler head, is avoided.

E. COMBINATION: A combination sprinkler system or combination sprinkler-standpipe consists of sprinkler heads and standpipe hose outlets attached to a common riser. Combination systems may be either "wet" or "dry."

2.2 Non-automatic sprinkler systems are also encountered. They are usually found in cellars and sub-cellars of older commercial buildings. Non-automatic sprinkler systems depend solely upon the fire department to supply water for firefighting. These systems may contain fusible sprinkler heads, open sprinkler heads, or even perforated pipes.

3. AUGMENTING SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

3.1 Siamese connections are color coded for ease of identification. Either the caps or the entire siamese connection may be painted. Sprinkler siamese connections are painted green. For reference, the other colors used and what they indicate are as follows:

Green Automatic Sprinkler System Red Standpipe System Aluminum Non-automatic Sprinkler or Perforated Pipe Yellow Combination Sprinkler/Standpipe

If no color coding is present, each siamese connection should be identifiable as to the type of system it supplies. This information is usually embossed or stamped on a plate or the siamese connection itself.

3.2 Sprinkler systems should always be supplied with 3 1/2-inch hose. 3.3 If a building is equipped with both a standpipe system and automatic sprinklers,

the first supply line must be stretched to the standpipe siamese. If the first due engine is supplying both the standpipe and sprinkler systems, the second and third due engine companies must stretch additional lines to augment both systems.


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3.4 If a sprinklered building is not equipped with a standpipe system, the first line

stretched should be a handline (either 1 3/4-inch or 2 1/2-inch, depending upon fire conditions) and the second line used to augment the sprinkler system.

3.5 In the case of a combination sprinkler-standpipe system, water flow demands will be great. Every effort must be made to augment the system with additional supply lines from other first alarm engine companies.

3.6 Difficulties may be encountered with siamese connections. These difficulties include missing caps, defective threads, debris stuffed into the connection, tight caps, frozen female swivels, and clappers either broken or jammed open. Never insert any part of your hand inside the connection to clear debris. In addition to broken glass and sharp metal edges, junkies have been known to store or discard hypodermic needles inside siamese connections. A spare 3-inch male cap should be carried by all engine companies in the event it becomes necessary to cap one side of the siamese connection to prevent an outflow of water due to a malfunctioning clapper valve. Immediately stretching and connecting a second 3 1/2-inch line is another potential remedy for this problem. Fig. 17-2A to 17-2D illustrates various solutions to the problem of caps stuck in place, defective threads and frozen female swivels.

3.7 Many siamese connections are equipped with either metallic or plastic vandal proof (break away) caps. These caps are usually attached with screw eyes placed over the pin lugs on the female swivel (see Fig. 17-3). Both metal and plastic caps are best removed by striking the center of the cap with a tool. Caps can also be removed by prying one of the screw eyes off the pin lug.

3.8 Whenever possible, sprinkler systems should be augmented by at least two different engine companies.

3.9 Supply hose connected to sprinkler systems should be charged when necessary. The engine company officer should order the sprinkler system augmented/supplied upon indication of a working fire (smoke, heat, visible fire, reports from employees or security guards) or based on reconnaissance information from ladder company personnel indicating same. Water flow alarms indicate only that water is flowing, but it may be due to reasons other than a fire--such as broken piping or a dislodged sprinkler head.

3.10 Pump discharge pressure for supplying a sprinkler system should start at 150 psi. This pressure will have to be adjusted accordingly based on reports of sprinkler system performance received from ladder company personnel, if more than two lengths of 3 1/2-inch hose are needed to reach the siamese connection and for fires on upper floors.

4. OPERATING IN SPRINKLERED BUILDINGS

4.1 Due to the potential danger of high concentrations of carbon monoxide gas being present where sprinkler heads are operating, masks shall be used and facepieces properly affixed. (Refer to AUC 220 for SCBA usage policy at fires and emergency operations.)


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4.2 Both engine company and ladder company personnel should carry wooden

sprinkler wedges or sprinkler tongs to stop the flow of water from a sprinkler head in order to facilitate operations and reduce water damage.

4.3 The sprinkler system control valve should only be shut down on orders from the Incident Commander once it is determined that the fire has been controlled and hoselines are in position.

4.4 Sprinkler system control valves may be one of four basic types:

Outside Stem & Yoke (OS&Y)

Post Indicator Valve (PIV)

Wall Indicator Valve (WIV) or Wall Post Indicator Valve (WPIV)

Butterfly Type Indicating Valve The Outside Stem & Yoke (sometimes called an Outside Screw & Yoke) and Post Indicator Valve are the most commonly encountered. See Fig. 17-9A to 17-9D for illustrations of each type of valve. The OS&Ys and PIVs may also be found in standpipe systems for use as section or zone control valves.

Fig. 17-9A Fig. 17-9B Fig. 17-9C Fig. 17-9D

4.5 The member assigned to the sprinkler system control valve (oftentimes a ladder company chauffeur) must be equipped with a handie-talkie and prepared to re-open any shut valve immediately on orders of the Incident Commander.

4.6 Chief officers are reminded of the fact that the New York Fire Patrol possesses specialized equipment in order to protect commercial property from unnecessary water damage.

OS&Y OUTSIDE

STEM & YOKE

PIV POST

INDICATOR VALVE

WALL PIV WALL POST INDICATOR

VALVE

UNDERGROUND BUTTERFLY

VALVE

PART ONESection Title Page1 INTRODUCTION 12 TYPES OF STANDPIPE SYSTEMS 1PART TWOSection Title Page1 INTRODUCTION 132 TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS 13

13 standpipes sprinklers fdny

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