Fire Department Connection connection to Fire reserve tank

[mharsan]

Hi, I just want to know your opinion if it is okay to connect the fire department connection directly to the fire reserve tank instead of connecting it to the standpipes. This is due to incapability of fire trucks to supply water to high zones of high rise buildings and connecting the FDC to tank would supplement to the capacity of the tank to supply water for a longer period of time. I know that as per NFPA FDC should be connected to the main piping and in the sprinkler system side. Also, for high zone situations, auxiliary water supply and pumping equipment should be provided. Connecting the FDC to the fire tank will obviously cost less which is the prime consideration of the clients. Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

If the tank is atmospheric, I would not want to be standing near the vent and/or the overflow when the fire pump starts pumping into the tank.

The purpose of the FDC is to supply not only flow but pressure so the fire department knows the pressure at the hose connection on the top floor has the required pressure. Pumping into the tank will not meet this requirement if the tank is atmospheric.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Your question included the statement:

This is due to incapability of fire trucks to supply water to high zones of high rise buildings and connecting the FDC to tank would supplement to the capacity of the tank to supply water for a longer period of time.

How tall is this building? If it's over 420 feet, NFPA 20 has specific requirements for the design of the water supply system in very tall buildings. And if the FD cannot supply the high zone, I see no functional use for the FDC. It's doing nothing. It's about as useful as whipped cream on an onion. If the mobile pumping apparatus cannot supply the demand (x flow @ y pressure), then the fire protection system must be designed to do so, and it must be done in a reliable manner.

 

[mharsan]

PEDARRIN2 and stookeyfpe: Thanks! I'll take note of your responses.