Engine Company Standpipe Operations Flashcards
High-rise structures are defined as any structure greater than how many feet?
75’
The primary High-Rise Pack is comprised of 7 items of tools and equipment. What are they?
- 10’ 2.5” Hose
- 1- Gated Wye
- 100’ 1.75” Hose
- 125 GPM Combination Nozzle or 1- Smooth bore Nozzle 7/8”
tip - 1- Wheel
- 1- 6” Pipe Wrench
- 1- Spanner Wrench
The secondary High-Rise Pack is comprised of 3 items of tools and equipment. What are they?
- 100’ 1.75” Hose
- 125 GPM Combination Nozzle or a 1 inch tip smoothbore nozzle 50 PSI & 250 GPM.
- 2.5”-1.5” Reducer
The donut comprise of 2 items of tools and equipment. What are they?
- 50’ 1.75” Hose
- Velcro Strap
If more water is needed, and there is only a single FDC connection, what is the alternative option?
Stretch the hose and attach the 3” supply line to the first division outlet. This additional supply line should be provided by a different Engine other than the one that is connected to the FDC.
When stretching an additional 3” supply line to the first division, be sure to?
Bring a double female adaptor mainly but grab a double male just incase, to make the connection.
Standpipe systems may be found in any of these 5 following places:
- Large Area Buildings such as Hospitals, Warehouses, and Industrial Buildings
- Parking Garages
- Limited Access Highways
- Office Buildings
- Educational Facilities
Engine Companies should be familiar with the standpipe systems and any problems, or special characteristics associated with them, found in their first and second due response areas. This should include, but not limited to the 6 following information
- Location of the Fire Department Connection(s)
- Location of the OS&Y Valves
- The Division/Stairwell Layout to determine the effective range of the High-Rise Pack and to establish an attack stairwell and escape stairwell.
- If it may require the primary and secondary pack for the first line to reach the fire apartment
- Where the Standpipe Connections are within the structure, which is either the Stairwell or Hallway (Corridor)
- If a hose stretch is going to be greater than 200’ to the structure
According to national standards, standpipes are formally classified into 3 distinct classes. What are they?
- Class I - Designed to be used by the fire department only. Equipped with 2 1⁄2” outlets only
- Class II - Designed to be used by trained, non-fire department personnel. Equipped with 1 1⁄2” outlets only.
- Class III - Designed to be used by both the fire department and by trained, non-fire department personnel. Equipped with both 2 1⁄2” and 1 1⁄2” outlets.
Standpipe systems can be categorized as 3 terms. Not it’s classifications. What are they? Explain each
- Wet systems: contain water in the riser at all times supplied by city main, gravity tank, pressure tank, and/or fire pump
- 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 is 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.
Standpipe systems can also be considered either “automatic” or “manual”. Name the 5 and the description of each type.
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- Automatic wet systems - capable of providing water under pressure at the standpipe outlets, possibly with the assistance of a fire pump or a gravity tank.
- Manual wet systems - connected to a small water supply that will maintain water in the system but is not capable of providing necessary operating pressure to the system.
- Automatic dry systems - usually supplied by a public water main but is maintained with pressurized air in the standpipe piping. When a decrease in air pressure is detected in the system, water will automatically be supplied to the system.
- Manual dry systems - may or may not be connected to a water supply. If it is connected to a water supply, the provided water supply will only enter the system when a control valve is manually opened. If there is no water supply, the system will remain dry until water is supplied by a connection to the FDC
- Air Pressurized Systems - A specific type of manual dry system that is maintained pressurized by a dedicated air compressor. These systems are required in buildings under construction that are taller than 75 feet. When there is a change in air pressure that exceeds a pre-determined threshold, an alarm will sound on site.
Fire Department Connections (FDC)
Formerly known as “Siamese
connections”, FDC are the 3” connections by which the Fire Department can supply water to the standpipe system.
Section valve
Sectional valves can be used to shut down water supply to a section of the standpipe system. These are OS&Y type valves (Outside Stem & Yoke) and can be located at various points in the system. Often, they can be located in a room located below the standpipe outlet. If the valve is open, the stem will be visible outside the attached wheel. If closed, the stem is not visible. These valves may also be called a Riser Control Valve or an Isolation Valve.
Post Indicator Valves
Exist in Interconnected Building Systems and is used to isolate a building from the rest of the system. They are painted red and are generally located outside and in close proximity to the building. If the valve is open, the word “OPEN” should be visible on the face of the valve. If closed, the word “CLOSED” should be visible.
Gravity Tank
A large container that uses the force of gravity to supply water pressure to a standpipe system. To work properly, the gravity tank needs to be located a distance above the highest outlet, so they are commonly located above roof level. For standpipe systems in an interconnected building complex, a single gravity tank may supply the system for the entire complex
