4.06 Design Criteria for Fire Department Connections and Standpipe Outlet Valves

Reference: 2022 San Francisco Fire Code (SFFC) Sections 905.2.1 & 905.4.3; 2022 CA Fire Code Section 905.4; NFPA 14.

I. Fire department connections (FDC) shall be located not less than 18 inches and no more than 48 inches above the level of the adjoining ground (2019 NFPA 14 Section 6.4.6).

II. Where required, Class I standpipe hose connections shall be provided per 2022 SFFC Sec. 905.4.

III. Each standpipe shall be equipped with approved outlet valves which discharge horizontally. They shall be located not less than three feet or more than five feet above the floor. (The recommended height is 42 inches from the finished floor to the centerline of the valve.) 2019 NFPA 14, Section 7.3.1

IV. It shall be placed to provide a minimum clearance of six inches on all sides of the handle and 18 inches on all sides of the threaded outlet per 2022 SFFC Section 905.2.1 Connections and outlets shall be placed so that doors or walls do not interfere with the use of the outlet valve.

V. Fire department connections (FDC) and outlet valves shall have 3-inch National Standard hose threads.

VI. For systems that include standpipes, the FDC shall be located not more than 100-feet of a lowpressure fire hydrant. If this condition is not met, SFFD may require that a new low-pressure fire hydrant be provided such that the new hydrant is within 100-feet of the FDC. It is strongly recommended the system designer contact the SFFD Plan Review staff prior to establishing the location of the FDC. (Reference 2019 NFPA 14 Sec 6.4.5.4)

***For more information, see 2022 SFFD Administrative Bulletins 4.05 & 4.24.