What Are Standpipe Systems?

Wet and Dry Standpipe Systems

• Standpipe systems are available in four different units. Wet standpipe systems feature an open supply valve and water pressure maintained to the outlet valves. A dry standpipe system does not have a permanent water supply. It is typically empty, and the fire department pumper supplies the water to the system. Another dry standpipe system generates pressure by air. The water flows through the unit when the valve opens as the air pressure drops. The last type of dry standpipe system operates when an electrical switch activates and forces the water through.

Class I Standpipe Systems

• Standpipe systems come in three different classes. Firefighters use Class I standpipe systems. Also, people trained in heavy streams, such as military personnel, may use a Class I standpipe system. Class I standpipe systems have the ability to provide fire streams for complex stages of fire. Every section of each floor has to be within 30 inches of a nozzle connected to 100 inches of fire hose or less.

Class II Standpipe Systems

• People with no firefighting training and people staying in a building, such as an apartment complex or hotel room, may have access to a Class II standpipe system until the fire department arrives also. This type of standpipe system typically attaches to a wall and folds similar to an accordion with a see-through door. Every section of each floor must sit 20 inches from a nozzle joined to 75 inches of fire hose or shorter.

Class III Standpipe Systems

• Generally Class III standpipe systems are for people, such as firefighters, who have training in operating hoses capable of discharging heavy streams of water. This type of standpipe system furnishes powerful streams of water to help put out advanced stages of fire. Each floor must be within 30 inches of a nozzle joined to a fire hose no more than 100 inches long.

Recommended Equipment for Firefighters

• Some equipment is vital to firefighters when working in a building with a standpipe system. A firefighter needs 150 inches of fire hose including a nozzle to fight a fire. Some tools that help firefighters operate a standpipe system and enter buildings include a pipe wrench, rope hose tool, forcible entry tool and gated wye.