Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
(OP)
The owner of a facility is claiming the local authority having jurisdiction is requiring a periodic hydrostatic test of the existing fire department connection.
System is a standard Plain Jane wet system with the fire department connection connected to the wet riser.
I know hydrostatic tests of 200 psi, or 50 psi above normal pressure if above 150 psi, are required by NFPA #13 for new installations but I've never heard of periodic tests being required.
Anyone ever hear of such a thing?
System is a standard Plain Jane wet system with the fire department connection connected to the wet riser.
I know hydrostatic tests of 200 psi, or 50 psi above normal pressure if above 150 psi, are required by NFPA #13 for new installations but I've never heard of periodic tests being required.
Anyone ever hear of such a thing?





RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
we do require backflush if we think ther may be something in it
12.7 Fire Department Connections.
12.7.1 Fire department connections shall be inspected quarterly. The inspection shall verify the following:
(1) The fire department connections are visible and accessible.
(2) Couplings or swivels are not damaged and rotate smoothly.
(3) Plugs or caps are in place and undamaged.
(4) Gaskets are in place and in good condition.
(5) Identification signs are in place.
(6) The check valve is not leaking.
(7) The automatic drain valve is in place and operating properly.
(8) The fire department connection clapper(s) is in place and operating properly.
12.7.2 If fire department connection plugs or caps are not in place, the interior of the connection shall be inspected for obstructions, and it shall be verified that the fire department connection clapper is operational over its full range.
12.7.3 Components shall be repaired or replaced as necessary in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Any obstructions that are present shall be removed.
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
A telephone call and a civil discussion with the AHJ is probably your best solution.
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
one other question is it a yard fdc/ remote from the building???
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
It's on the building.
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
Might as well hydro the entire system, and I guess how would you isolate a single riser building??? so you do not hydor the entire building!!!
sure they do not want it backflushed???
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
The system in question is a single story nursing home with a wet pipe sprinkler system having a fire department connection on the wall as we normally see done.
It is as simple as it gets.
The inspection company quoting NFPA #25 (2002 Edition) Chapter 6, specifically section 6.3.2.1, as the reason the dry portion system of the fire department connection, which they are calling standpipe, requires hydrostatic testing at 5 year intervals. This rally ticks me off. How could this be a "simple mistake"?
Anyway, while it doesn't apply to anything but standpipe/hose systems, here's the appropriate section from Chapter 6.
Chapter 6 Standpipe and Hose Systems
6.1 General.
This chapter shall provide the minimum requirements for the routine inspection, testing, and maintenance of standpipe and hose systems. Table 6.1 shall be used to determine the minimum required frequencies for inspection, testing, and maintenance.
6.3.2 Hydrostatic Tests.
6.3.2.1 Hydrostatic tests at not less than 13.8-bar (200-psi) pressure for 2 hours, or at 3.4 bar (50 psi) in excess of the maximum pressure, where maximum pressure is in excess of 10.3 bar (150 psi), shall be conducted every 5 years on dry standpipe systems and dry portions of wet standpipe systems.
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
We did have an AHJ once refuse to give our customer occupancy until we did a hydrostatic test on all of the drain piping. Can't imagine why pipe that vents to the atmosphere needs to withstand high pressure but I'm no AHJ.
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections
One of my greatest gripes is with companies who assume the title of inspection firms ... but do inspections based on an installation standard. They have no idea why a particular system was installed the way it was, but they'll call everything in 'the book' as a deficiency.
Regards
Dave
RE: Periodic hydrostatic testing of fire department connections