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CFPS : Fire Department Connections Requirements

Why are fire department connections fitted with a check valve and not a gate valve?

  1. To prevent water wastage during fire suppression
  2. To allow for easy attachment of hose lines
  3. To ensure proper identification with a sign
  4. To prevent inadvertent shutting off of the connection

Reference: FIRE PROTECTION HANDBOOK 20th
15-65 SECTION 15 ■ Water Supplies for Fixed Fire Protection

Fire department connections must be located and arranged so that hose lines can be readily and conveniently attached without interference from nearby objects. Each fire department connection must be properly identified with a sign, for example, autosprinkler or standpipe. Each connection must be fitted with a check valve, but not with a gate valve, so that the connection will not be shut off inadvertently. There should be a proper drain, as well as a drip device between the check valve and the outside hose coupling.

Explanation

there some requirements and guidelines for fire department connections (FDCs) in buildings

  1. Location and arrangement : situated and organized in such a way that firefighting hose lines can be easily and conveniently attached without any hindrance from nearby objects.
  2. Proper identification: Each FDC must be clearly labeled or identified with a sign. This helps firefighters easily locate and distinguish between different types of connections, such as those for automatic sprinkler systems or standpipes.
  3. Check valve: Each FDC must be equipped with a check valve. This is important to ensure that water can flow from the fire department’s supply into the building’s firefighting system,
  4. No gate valve : to prevent inadvertent shutting off of the connection
  5. Proper drainage and drip device :between the check valve and the outside hose coupling.