Standpipe Fire Systems

Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

PA Training for Health & Safety
(PATHS)
29 CFR 1910.158

PPT-124-01 1
 Scope
This standard applies to all small hose, Class II and
Class III Standpipe Systems installed to meet the
requirements of a particular OSHA Standard.

Exception.
This section does NOT apply to Class I Standpipe
Systems.

PPT-124-01 2
 Class I Standpipe

 Intended for Fire Department use only.

 2½ inch angle valve for hose attachment.
 Not provided with hose; Fire department will
use its own.

Class I

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 Class II Standpipe

 Previously intended only for

building occupant use.
 Equipped with 1 ½ inch hose in
varying lengths (50 to 150 feet).
 Designed to discharge water at
50 GPM per hose rack at 65 PSI
pressure.
 NFPA 14 now restricts this type
for use by trained industrial fire
brigades.

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 Class III Standpipe
 2½ inch angle valve for fire
department use and 1½ inch hose rack
assembly for industrial fire brigade
use.
 A 2½ inch hose valve with a 2½ inch to
1½ inch reducer and a 1½ inch cap
and chain can be used to satisfy the
Class III standpipe requirement.
 Many building codes will require the
installation of a Class III standpipe
system. This requirement can be met
without installing a hose rack
assembly.
PPT-124-01 5
 Protection of Standpipes

These shall be located or otherwise protected

against mechanical damage. Damaged standpipes
shall be repaired promptly.

PPT-124-01 6
 Equipment

o Reels and cabinets are designed to facilitate

prompt use.
o They must be conspicuously identified.
o Cabinets are used only for fire equipment.

PPT-124-01 7
 Outlets and Connections

For Hoses:

 Located above the floor to avoid being obstructed

and be accessible.
 Use standardized screw threads or provide
adapters.

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 Hose

Assure every 1½ inch or

smaller hose outlet used is
equipped with hose
connected and ready for use.

In extremely cold climates,

hose may be stored in
another location provided it is
readily available and can be
connected when needed.

PPT-124-01 9
 Hose
Standpipe systems installed after January 1, 1981,
for use by employees, shall be equipped with lined
hose.
Unlined hose may remain in use on existing
systems. However, after the effective date of this
standard, unlined hose which becomes
unserviceable shall be replaced with lined hose.

PPT-124-01 10
 Hose

Hose of such length that friction loss resulting

from water flowing through the hose will not
decrease the pressure at the nozzle below a
nozzle pressure of 30 psi. The dynamic pressure
at the nozzle shall be within the range of 30 psi to
125 psi.

PPT-124-01 11
 Nozzles

Assure standpipe hose is equipped with shut-off

type nozzles.

No* Yes Yes

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 Water Supply

The minimum water supply for standpipe and

hose systems, which are provided for the use of
employees, shall be sufficient to provide 100
gallons per minute for a period of at least thirty
(30) minutes (3,000 gallons).

PPT-124-01 13
 Acceptance Tests

Piping of Class II and

Class III systems installed
after January 1, 1981,
including yard piping, is
hydrostatically tested for a
period of at least 2 hours at
not less than 200 psi,

Or at least 50 psi in excess

of normal pressure when
such pressure is greater
than 150 psi.

PPT-124-01 14
 Acceptance Tests

Hose on all standpipe systems

installed after January 1, 1981,
is hydrostatically tested with
couplings in place, at a pressure
of not less than 200 psi, before
it is placed in service. This
pressure shall be maintained for
at least 15 seconds and not
more than one (1) minute
during which time the hose shall
not leak nor shall any jacket
thread break during the test.

PPT-124-01 15
 Maintenance
Assure that water supply tanks
are kept filled to the proper level
except during repairs. When
pressure tanks are used, the
employer shall assure that proper
pressure is maintained at all
times except during repairs.

That valves in the main piping

connections to the automatic
sources of water supply are kept
fully open at all times except
during repair.
PPT-124-01 16
 Maintenance
Hose systems are inspected at least
annually and after each use to assure
that all of the equipment and hose
are in place, available for use, and in
serviceable condition.

When the system or any portion

thereof is found not to be
serviceable, the employer shall
remove it from service immediately
and replace it with equivalent
protection such as extinguishers and
fire watches.
PPT-124-01 17
 Hose: Existing Systems

Hemp or linen hose on existing systems is

1. Unracked,
2. Physically inspected for deterioration, and
3. Reracked using a different fold pattern at least
annually.

PPT-124-01 18
 Hose: Existing Systems
Hemp or linen hose on
existing systems

The employer shall assure that

defective hose is replaced in
accordance with paragraph
(c)(3)(ii) of this section.

The employer shall designate

trained persons to conduct all
inspections required under this
section.

PPT-124-01 19
 Bibliography

29 CFR 1910.158, Standpipe and Hose Systems

and Subpart L, Appendix A.

2013 NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of

Standpipe and Hose Systems, National Fire
Protection Association, Batterymarch Park,
Quincy, MA 02269.

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 Contact Information

Health & Safety Training Specialists

1171 South Cameron Street, Room 324
Harrisburg, PA 17104-2501
(717) 772-1635
RA-LI-BWC-PATHS@pa.gov

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Questions

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Other Suggested Programs

The following presentations are also available to

supplement your in-house program:

 Fire Extinguisher Use

 Industrial Fire Brigade
 Managing Emergencies
 Respiratory Protection

Please contact us for a full list of other programs

available to you free of charge.

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