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In those situations where the riser is 3 in. or less, the FDC is allowed to be a single 2 ½ in.
NFPA 13R Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies (https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-
standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=13R) only requires a single 1 ½ in. FDC.
https://nfsa.org/2023/02/06/fire-department-connections-fdc/ 1/5
1/5/24, 10:18 PM Sizing of fire department connections (FDC)
STANDPIPE SIZING
Standpipe systems are different, in that the FDC can be used to supplement a standpipe system. This requires
the FDC to be sized for the highest system demand and requires two x 2 ½ in. inlets on a building, as a
minimum. The FDC is sized by one 2 ½ in. inlet for every 250gpm of system demand to a maximum system
demand.
The maximum number of inlets required on a building is based on whether the building is equipped
throughout with automatic fire sprinklers. In a building protected throughout with automatic fire sprinkler
systems designed to NFPA 13, the maximum system demand is 1000gpm or four x 2 ½ in. inlets, all others
must be sized to a 1250gpm demand or five x 2 ½ in. inlets at the FDC.
COMBINED SYSTEMS
In combined systems where the water supplied is shared between
the standpipe and automatic fire sprinkler system, the FDC is sized
for the greatest system demand. It must be based on either the
sprinkler system demand, including any hose stream allowances or
the standpipe demand, whichever is greater. In most cases,
standpipe demand is used to size the majority of combined system
FDC inlets. Combined systems are subject to the same maximum
as standpipe only systems, or 1000gpm for buildings protected
throughout by an automatic fire sprinkler system meeting NFPA 13,
or 1250gpm for all others.
In buildings with combined systems that are equipped with partial automatic fire sprinkler systems, the flow rate is increased by an amount
equal to the calculated sprinkler demand or 150gpm for light hazard, or by 500gpm for ordinary hazard occupancies, whichever is less.
It must be noted that both installation standards, NFPA 13 and NFPA 14, allow listed four in. or 5 in. large diameter quick connect threadless
FDC to be used, but neither gives guidance on sizing.
https://nfsa.org/2023/02/06/fire-department-connections-fdc/ 2/5
1/5/24, 10:18 PM Sizing of fire department connections (FDC)
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