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Temporary Standpipes

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TravisMack

TravisMack

Mechanical
Sep 15, 2003
1,757
How do you determine the number of temporary standpipes to be installed during construction? We have always seen (1) used, regardless of building size. Now, we have a local authority that is requiring temporary standpipes to be located per IFC 2012 edition:905.4(6). I have never had this questioned.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
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From IBC 905.1 General. "Standpipe systems shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with this section. Fire hose threads used in connection with standpipe systems shall be approved and shall be compatible with fire department hose threads. The location of fire department hose connections shall be approved. In buildings used for high-piled combustible storage, fire protection shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code."

From IBC 905.10 "During construction. Standpipe systems required during construction and demolition operations shall be provided in accordance with Section 3311."

From IBC 3311.1 "In buildings required to have standpipes by Section 905.3.1, no fewer than one standpipe shall be provided for use during construction. Such standpipes
shall be installed when the progress of construction is not more than 40 feet (12 192 mm) in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. Such standpipe shall
be provided with fire department hose connections at accessible locations adjacent to usable stairs. Such standpipes shall be extended as construction progresses to within one floor of the highest point of construction having secured decking or flooring."
 
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Yes. We have the no fewer than one. That is a given. However, are you required to have additional temp standpipes when the travel distance exceeds 150'? A local authority is stating that 905.4(6) applies to temporary standpipe locations.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
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TravisMack:
Because my jurisdiction currently have 27 building permits for high-rise buildings ranging from 8 to 66 stories under construction and is enforcing the 2012 IFC, I’ll try to answer this question.

First, IFC Section 3313.1 establishes the requirement for standpipes in buildings under the construction. The standpipe is required when the construction progresses to the point where the floor is > 40 feet above the lowest level FD access. The standpipe is required to be constructed at accessible locations adjacent to useable stairs. In some cases this has resulted in literally bolting the pipe to the side of the building.

The IFC requirement also does not limit a building to one standpipe. Depending on the floor area, we commonly will require two standpipes. In most cases we can only get enough access for one FDC.

As to applying IFC 905.4 item 6, my Miss Cleo psychic skills causes me to believe that your AHJ is applying the unsprinklered building hose lay distance of 150 feet versus the 200 foot hose lay distance for a sprinklered building. When you construct any building we both know this is the most dangerous period in building’s service life. The owner, builder, contractor and the firefighters are all assuming an increased risk. But at the beginning of the project, the architect decided to provide sprinklers and by doing so, said architect is allowed to increase the hose lay distance per IFC Section 905.4 item 6. The standpipe and exit stair shaft enclosures were designed based on the assumption the building will be sprinklered. But it’s hard to sprinkler a building while it’s being constructed, especially when you probably don’t have the electrical power or water supply for the fire pump.

We solve this problem in my jurisdiction by requiring our high-rise hose loads to have 200 feet of hose. The first and second engines on a 1st Alarm assignment will each deploy one high rise hose load, forcible entry tools and 4 spare SCBA bottles. So between the first two companies to approach the fire floor, we have 400 feet of attack hose line to work with. Tactics will vary so you may want to ask about this.

Your AHJ may not have considered that the firefighters won’t set up on the floor of the fire. They will set up one floor below, so the extra hose is required to safely perform interior fire attack from safe point along the escape path.
 
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Is there any formula or direction that is used to determine when more than one is required? It makes it hard at bid time for the contractors to determine at bid time if it is just left up to the AHJ on a job by job basis.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
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The IFC provides a means for more than one standpipe so it's something that should be asked on the front end. When we do preliminary design reviews or formal plan reviews, we're pretty adamant on establishing a set time line for at least one stair and standpipe. However, I currently have a high rise hospital that's on a very deep lot. In this case we couldn't make it work without two points of FD access and two standpipes.

This really should be dealt with early on. By the time it gets to the shop drawing phase, it's too late.
 
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I agree. But I can say with 100% certainty that no project we have seen for bid indicates anything about temporary standpipe requirements and locations. I was just wondering if there is some formula or even "rule of thumb" that could be used to determine the number of temporary standpipes? It doesn't affect me in design as these are usually put up and then taken down or relocated during construction. Just a couple customers have been asking how to handle the new requirements when they are still "vague."


Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
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It's not a new requirement. This has been in code for years so apparently enforcement is occurring.

Rule of thumb: For each exit stair located in a 2 hour shaft, provide a standpipe. You can neglect convenience stairs. That's the easiest method.
 
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Yeah..just getting enforced. We always put 1 in. That's not the issue. It's just the multiples that are now being enforced. And it seems to be very random on the requirements at this time. I'm sure it will get better as time goes on and people figure it out more.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
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Great discussion, may have to use the info soon.

Scott just want to thank you for the years of advice you give out.

Going on thirty years now, for me, of Scott advice, I hope you keep it up about three more till I hang up the codes.
 
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