Yard Sprinkler: May 2013

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Fire Department Connection - A Crucial Piece of Fire Protection Equipment

If you have been involved with the fire protection industry for any length of time, you have probably heard the phrase "fire department connection" or "FDC" more times than you can count. But, what exactly is a fire department connection? The term can be used to describe any number of building connections designed to supply water during a fire.

Most commonly, a fire department connection consists of a brass body with two, three, or four 2½" inlets for the fire department to connect hoses to. Generally, water is pumped into the connection to supplement the building's fire sprinkler or standpipe system. In most cases each inlet has its own clapper, or check valve, that will only allow water to move in one direction, into the building. Connections usually fall under one of three categories: exposed, flush mount, and free standing.

1. Exposed FDC - You'll see these mounted to the wall of a building. Usually, they are backed by a decorative ring, or escutcheon plate, indicating its intended use: automatic sprinkler, standpipe, or standpipe & automatic sprinkler.

2. Flush Mount FDC - This type of connection consists of a body mounted behind the wall of a building with only the escutcheon plate and inlets visible on the outer wall.

3. Free Standing FDC - These are normally found on the sidewalk in front of a building. A pipe will be protruding from the ground with the connection mounted to the top at a 90 degree angle, so the inlets are facing out in the normal configuration. In the free standing application the escutcheon plate will be resting on the ground around the pipe. In visible areas, a decorative sleeve is often placed over the pipe to match the finish of the FDC.