Standpipe Design History

[Mike Cole]

Does anyone know of any literature summarizing Standpipe Design Changes History for the last 130 years or so? I see Kennith Isman has a book out there about standpipes but not sure if it contains the history of design changes. I'd hate to purchase a $100.00 book that doesn't have what I need.

The reason I'm asking is with more enforcement of the 5 Year Standpipe Flow Testing of High Rises in our area, I'm constantly looking up previous versions containing standpipe design to ensure we are testing to the design standard that was in place at the time the building was built. If it's not out there, I would like to compile a cheat sheet to reference to make my, and others lives easier.

Something to the effect of:

1993 to Current - 500gpm flow most remote, 250gpm each additional, residual pressure at 100psi
1970ish to 1993 - 500gpm flow most remote, 250gpm each additional, residual pressure at 65psi
1950ish to 1970 - 500gpm flow most remote, 250gpm each additional, residual pressure at 50psi

Etc...

I know at some point design basis went from 250gpm most remote to 500gpm but for me to locate, purchase and search through all the NFPA and NBFU literature it would take me a week and a small fortune. I definitely don't want to give our clients a "I don't know what design was, but it failed today's standards".

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Michael Cole
Vice President
Cole Fire Protection, Inc.

Chicago IL

 

[cdafd]

Well does this add to your problem

1. What year was the building built

2. What year was the standpipe installed

3. Which fire code was adopted at time of installation.

4. Which nfpa 14 standard was adopted at time of installation

5. Any local amendments to standpipe installation

Just a few off the top

 

[cdafd]

Does the first page on the history help any?? 14-1

The free access lets you go back editions to 1968

 

[cdafd]

https://nfsa.org/2020/02/03/hydrostatic-testing-of-standpipe-systems/