Fire Hose Valve Inspection, Testing & Maintenance - NFPA Requirements

3/27/24, 10:22 AM Fire Hose Valve Inspection, Testing & Maintenance | NFPA Requirements
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fire hose valves in standpipe systems
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A standpipe system saves firefighters from running long lengths of hoses through a building to
fight a fire. A network of pipes carries water throughout the structure. Occupants can use
QRFS Team on #213 – Fire
onsite hoses in some systems, but most of them simply let firefighters hook up their hoses to
Sprinkler Accidents: The
connections, open a hose valve, and fight the fire.
Top 5 Causes of
Discharges and Leaks
The ability to make quick connections saves time, property, and lives, but firefighters need to
trust that standpipes will work. When they don’t, the consequences can be dire. Consider the Robert on #213 – Fire
Deutsche Bank fire in NYC, where the standpipe was inoperable, and two firefighters died in Sprinkler Accidents: The
the blaze. Top 5 Causes of

Discharges and Leaks
That’s why inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of standpipes is vital. This article walks QRFS Team on #119 –
building owners and managers through one part of the ITM requirements for standpipe (888) 361-6662
What Facility Managers
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systems: caring for your hose valves. Need to Inspect on a Fire
Sprinkler System, Part 4
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We explain:
Paul on #119 – What
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Facility Managers Need to
The parts of a fire FDCs
Fire Extinguishers
hose valveFire Sprinklers Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor
Inspect on a Fire SprinklerValve
Hose valve ITM requirements
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Obstruction and accessibility rules
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Inspecting caps, threads, and gaskets
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Inspecting valves and pressure-restricting device Distance Rules, Part 2:
Testing and maintenance of valves Sprinkler Head

Obstruction Distance
We’ll refer to NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Rules for Standard Spray
Fire Protection Systems (2020 edition), the crucial model standard published by the National Fire Sprinklers
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and adopted and enforced by various governments. In
addition, references to NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems
(2019 edition) provide some background on system requirements and design.
But remember, NFPA 25 and NFPA 14 are model standards—and some requirements may be
enforced according to the discretion of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Importantly, it’s
up to local officials to decide who is qualified to perform these ITM tasks. Never attempt
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tests or repairs if you don’t have proper training and don’t know your standpipe system. 361-6662
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See our previous blog for more information on finding qualified fire protection contractors.
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A core part of hose valve ITM is repairing or replacing missing or damaged parts. The QRFS
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catalog has the hose valves
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and capsFire
FDCs
youSprinklers
need to fix deficiencies.
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A review of hose valve parts and ITM
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requirements
Types of standpipe systems and hose valves
A standpipe is a system of pipes running throughout a building. But here, we’re focusing on
the most visible part: the hose valve. Hose valves are devices, frequently near stairwells,
where firehose is or can be attached to the standpipe system. Here are the different
configurations:
In many cases, a hose valve will just appear as an angle valve coming off the
standpipe. These are typically 2 1/2″ NHS hose connections meant only for firefighter
use found on Class I standpipe systems.
In other cases, you will have onsite fire hoses already connected to hose valves
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and/or multiple valves with or without any attached hoses. Such connections are 361-6662
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found in either Class II or Class III standpipes.
Class II systems have smaller 1 1/2″ hose connections, typically with fire hose
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provided in a rack or reel for occupant use, usually in a hose cabinet.
Menu Class III standpipes provide both 1 1/2″ hose stations and 2 1/2″ firefighter
connections.
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But depending on the history of your building and the jurisdiction, you may have hose cabinets
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in your building—but no hoses! Read this to learn why Class II occupant-use hose stations
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aren’t used much anymore.
Parts of a hose valve

Hose valves are simple pieces of equipment. On each one, you may find:
A male-threaded angle hose valve

A valve handle (wheel)
A cap with a gasket
Pressure restricting devices (if necessary)
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Above are the major components of an angle hose valve—the handle, the male-threaded outlet
(here without a cap), and the pressure-restricting device (not present on all valves).
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This image shows a hose valve in the context of a Class III standpipe. The hose reel for occupant use has a
smaller hose connection, while the firefighter’s hose valve (center bottom) is larger.
For more information on hose valves and their role in standpipe systems, check out our
introduction to standpipe fire hose valves and our comprehensive guide to angle valves.
NFPA 25 ITM requirements for standpipe

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Understanding when and what to inspect on hose valves can be confusing because the 2020
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edition of NFPA 25 has an internal conflict!
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QRFS checked with NFPA committee members to confirm this fact: sections 6.2.3 and 13.6 list
nearly
(888) identical tasks for hose valve ITM. But these items must be completed annually in the
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formerContact
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and quarterly in the latter. So, which interval is it?
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Until the NFPA 25 committee can clarify this in a future edition, the schedule is determined by
your local AHJ and which section they decide to enforce—so, check with them!
Here’s a comparison of what each section says:
From the 2020 edition of NFPA 25
3.3.16 Hose Connection The outlet of a hose valve

installed on a standpipe system for connection of a
fire hose.
6.2.3 Hose 13.6 Hose Valves

Connections (888) 361-6662
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13.6.1 Inspection
Hose Connections shall
be inspected annually
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for the following shall be inspected
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conditions: quarterly to verify that
Fire Extinguishers FDCs the valves are in the
Fire Sprinklers Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
1. Valve cap(s) following condition:
missing or
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damaged
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2. Fire hose 1. Hose caps are in
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connection place and not
damaged damaged.
3. Valve handles 2. Hose threads are
missing or not damaged.
damaged</li? 3. Valve handles are
4. Cap gaskets present and not
missing or damaged.
deteriorated 4. Gaskets are not
5. Valve leaking damaged or
6. Visible and showing signs of
physical deterioration.
obstructions to 5. No leaks are
hose connections present.
7. Pressure 6. Valves are not
restricting device obstructed or
missing otherwise not
8. Manual, capable of
semiautomatic, normal
or dry standpipe operation.
valve does not 13.6.2 Testing

operate smoothly
9. Valve threads (888) 361-6662
damaged 13.6.2.1 Class I and Orders Contact Us
Class III standpipe
6.2.3.2 Where any system hose valves shall
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deficiency is noted, the be tested annually by
appropriate corrective
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action shall be taken. closing the valves.
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13.6.2.2 Hose valves on
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hose stations attached
to sprinkler systems and
Class II standpipe
systems shall be tested
every three years by
opening and closing the
valves.
[…]
13.6.3 Maintenance.
Hose valves that do not
operate smoothly or
open fully shall be
lubricated, repaired, or
replaced.
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In short, NFPA 25 requires a periodic visual inspection of all the parts of each hose valve, Orders Contact Us
though the interval of this inspection is unclear (annually or quarterly).

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NFPA 25 also requires an annual (or three-year, for Class II) test to ensure the hose
valves open and close properly. Finally, it requires as-needed maintenance of hose
valves
(888) that don’t open or close smoothly.
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Here’s how each of these inspection, testing, and maintenance tasks work:
Fire hose valve inspection: no

obstructions and valves free to operate
normally
As mentioned, the main ITM requirement is a regular visual inspection. One of the first things
an inspector will check is that hose valves are free from obstructions.
Specifically, NFPA 25 says you must ensure that the valve is “capable of normal operation”
(13.6.1). NFPA 14 provides more details for this general requirement, explaining that you must
have 3” of clearance between the valve handle (whether it’s entirely open, fully closed, or
anywhere any between) and any object (4.7.5). (888) 361-6662
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Section 6.2.3 of NFPA 25 refers to “visible and physical obstructions.” So, while hose valves
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have no specific signage requirement, they can’t be hidden or obscured.
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Fire hose valve

Fire Extinguishers FDCs inspection:
Fire Sprinklers caps,
Fire Hose threads,
and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
gaskets, and valves

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During the hose valve inspection, the inspector checks that the connection itself is in good
condition. This means verifying that:
1. Caps are in place

2. Cap gaskets are intact and in place
3. The connection threads are undamaged
Unlike fire department connection (FDC) plugs or caps on the outside of a building, hose valve
caps are less often the target of theft or vandalism. But you may still occasionally have to
replace them.
Additionally, an inspector will verify that the valve is in good condition. This means checking
that:
1. The valve handle isn’t broken

2. The valve isn’t leaking (888) 361-6662
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A visual inspection won’t always reveal a leaking hose valve, even with caps removed, because
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not all standpipes have wet (water-filled) pipes. But where leaky valves or broken valve handles
are found, they must be replaced.
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If replacements are necessary, the QRFS catalog has the 2 1/2″ or 1 1/2″ hose valves and caps
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you need.
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Inspect the pressure-restricting devices
Section 6.3.2 of NFPA 25 requires an annual inspection of any pressure-restricting devices on
hose connections. Pressure-restricting devices limit how far the hose valve may be opened and
thus limit the flow and pressure from the valve.
Not all standpipe systems have pressure-restricting devices. And not every hose
valve will be equipped with a PRD in systems that have them. Usually, these devices are
found in taller buildings where the pressure must be restricted on lower floors but not higher
floors because of the effects of distance and gravity.
Thus, you’ll only find these devices on the lower floors where water pressure exceeds 100 PSI
(for 1 1/2″ connections) or 175 PSI (for 2 1/2″ connections) per section 7.2.3 of NFPA 14. (888) 361-6662
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Testing and maintenance: opening and

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closing valves
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NFPA 25 requires a simple test of every valve: fully open and close it to see that it
operates
(888) smoothly. If a valve doesn’t work smoothly or open all the way, it must be
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lubricated,
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Contact Us or replaced (13.6.3).
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The standard provides different schedules for different types of standpipe systems. Class I and
III systems—the vast majority—get tested annually (13.6.2.1). However, hose valves located on
hose stations attached to a sprinkler system or a Class II standpipe only need to be tested
every three years (13.6.2.2).
This valve test does not have to make a mess, as NFPA 25 specifically says inspectors don’t
have to flow water during it. They may leave the cap on the hose connection, keeping all the
water inside (A.13.6.2.1). The purpose of the test is to test the valve, not flow.
Even though the fire hose valve test is not intended to flow water, it should only be done by
a trained individual. This is doubly true if you have any type of dry standpipe. Opening the
valve will vent the air pressure in the valve and, depending on the system type, flood the pipe.
After such an event, a standpipe needs to be drained and reset. Learn more about the
maintenance of dry standpipes here. (888) 361-6662
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If a valve is hard to turn, lubricating it may restore proper function. But if lubricant or another
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repair attempt by a qualified fire protection professional doesn’t fix it, you must replace the
valve with a new one.
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ITM for standpipe hose valves is vital—
but pretty simple
Well-maintained hose valves ensure firefighters or trained occupants can access water in an
emergency. And though NFPA 25’s requirements for the schedule of some inspections are
currently a little murky, the rest of ITM is straightforward.
Hose valves must be regularly inspected to verify that:

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They are unobstructed Orders Contact Us
The caps and gaskets are in place

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The connection is undamaged
Menu The valve handle is undamaged
Fire The valve does
Extinguishers notFDCs
leak Fire Sprinklers Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
The pressure-restricting device is in place (if needed)
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Additionally, a qualified individual must perform an annual (or three-year, for Class II
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connections) test of valve operation.
If you are missing any parts or need replacement valves, QRFS has the components you need
for 1 1/2″ and 2 1/2″ standpipe hose valve connections.
If you have questions or need help placing an order, call us at 888-361-6662 or email
support@qrfs.com.
This blog was originally posted at blog.qrfs.com. If this article helped you, check us out
at Facebook.com/QuickResponseFireSupply or on Twitter @QuickResponseFS.
Guides for Fire Protection Equipment and Fire Safety Systems, Standpipe Systems and Fire Department
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3/27/24, 10:22 AM Fire Hose Valve Inspection, Testing & Maintenance | NFPA Requirements

Search entire store here... (888) 361-6662

Menu Search entire store here...

(888) 361-6662 Search …

#447 – How to Install and

#446 – Fire Protection vs

#445 – Dry Sprinkler

#404 – Fire Hose Valve

Inspection, Testing, and

the blaze. Top 5 Causes of

Testing and maintenance of valves Sprinkler Head

Parts of a hose valve

A male-threaded angle hose valve

NFPA 25 ITM requirements for standpipe

Here’s a comparison of what each section says:

From the 2020 edition of NFPA 25

3.3.16 Hose Connection The outlet of a hose valve

6.2.3 Hose 13.6 Hose Valves

valve does not 13.6.2 Testing

(888) 361-6662 […]

though the interval of this inspection is unclear (annually or quarterly).

Fire hose valve inspection: no

Fire hose valve

gaskets, and valves

1. Caps are in place

1. The valve handle isn’t broken

Testing and maintenance: opening and

Hose valves must be regularly inspected to verify that:

The caps and gaskets are in place

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WE ARE SOCIAL 11091 Air Park Rd,

© 2024 Quick Response Fire Supply, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

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