Yes we have the correct information on the suction pressures, and we can´t trust the city water so the tanks are 1 hour rated. Let me make myself clear: I mean if we HAVE to make a flow test with the water hoses type 1 and type 2 ?
NFPA 14 11.5.1 states that a "flow test" shall be performed but our contractor says that as we have a complete sprinkler system in all levels, water lines type 1 and type 2 are a plus and this test is not an obligation for the final acceptance...
If the pump has passed the acceptance test prescribed by NFPA 20 Chapter 14 (I'm using the 2013 edition) and approved by the AHJ, then no additional testing is required. The piping will still require testing based on whatever water based system is being supplied. If your design calls for a pressure reducing valve, that will need to be flow tested based on whatever design basis creates the largest hydraulic.
Your question is not clear to me so I'm offering a generic answer to a generic question.
I think what he is looking for is the requirement to flow hoses off the roof manifold, if there is one off the top standpipe outlet if there isn't, to verify there is 65 or 100 psi at the top outlet.
I have had to do this once; not a big deal just make sure the roof can handle the run off.
This all said the reading from the top of the standpipe, where the gauge actually is, is incorrect in my opinion because the standard calls for 65 or 100 psi at the outlet which would be downstream the 2 1/2" angle hose valve. Been a while but I figured it up once and seems to me we needed an extra 15 psi at the gauge to have what was needed at the "outlet".
The only final test that I think that should be done would be at the inspector test connection to time the activation of the fire pump to determine if it is within reason. You can also flow the 2" drain connection to assess volume flow at sprinkler check valve and to calculate pressure and flow at sprinkler top line.
11.5.1* The standpipe system shall be tested to verify system demand.
11.5.1.1 This test shall be conducted by flowing water simultaneously from the outlet(s) indicated in the approved hydraulic calculations of each standpipe as required by Sections 7.8 and 7.10.
The 2016 gives the AHJ the option:::
11.5 Flow Tests.
11.5.1* The standpipe system shall be tested to verify system demand.
11.5.1.1 The test required by 11.5.1 shall be permitted to be waived where acceptable to the AHJ.
11.5.1.2 This test shall be conducted by flowing water simultaneously from the outlet(s) indicated in the approved hydraulic calculations of each standpipe as required by Sections 7.8 and 7.10.
As far as seeing if the hose reaches, should have been checked on the plans, and only questioned if the building layout or hose location has changed from the plans.
It's all up to the AHJ and that said there was only once time in my life I had to flow water from the top outlet but it's in there; if it is asked for then it is done.
NFPA #14 has to be watched closely in travels from state to state because if any standard gets tinked with it seems to be this one.
Georgia for example.
With the exception of open parking garages we don't have manual standpipes. Every standpipe must meet the 100 psi at the top unless the local AHJ will accept 65 psi.
But there is a way out that is very close to a manual standpipe and that is if the building is not a high rise the 100 psi (or 65 psi) requirement is waived if ALL standpipe piping is a minimum of 8" diameter. All pipe means all from the tap in the street up to the top outlet; all of it must be 8" diameter. At this point if all you have is 18 psi residual flowing 100 gpm (I actually have one of these) you're good to go in Georgia. Looks silly in a four story Holiday Inn but such is the way around here but we do save on the fire pump.
NFPA 14 is as straight forward as it comes on this
11.5 Flow Tests.
11.5.1* The standpipe system shall be tested to verify system demand.
There is not an exception for fully sprinklered buildings.
Then NFPA 25 is even more black and white for this process at 5 year intervals.
6.3.1.1* A flow test shall be conducted every 5 years on all Class I and Class III standpipe
systems to verify that the required flow and pressure are available at the hydraulically most
remote hose valve outlet(s) while flowing the standpipe system demand
