Standpipe Fire Protection Services in New York and Chicago

Standpipe Designs for High-rise Buildings

Do you have a high-rise building with no fire protection systems? The standpipe by New York Engineers can make a huge difference. We design and develop standpipes of all sizes and types; thanks to unmatched skills possessed by our world-class engineers.

With our plumbing expertise, we can also connect the standpipe to water sources. Standpipes are often installed nearby reliable water sources.

Installing standpipes in your property

Not everyone is skilled to install these indispensable fire protection tools in high-rise buildings. New York Engineers designs and installs custom MEP engineering designs. There are basically the wet and dry standpipes. The dry option is for firefighters who have to bring their hoses to attach to the standpipe while the wet standpipes could be for the tenants.

With us, you do not have to worry about outsourcing other contractors as we have a vast knowledge of fire protection and plumbing services.

Why Standpipe If You Have Sprinkler Systems?

Standpipes are common in high-rise buildings with their hose connections often found between each floor at stairwells. They are well-known for their capability in helping firefighters or building occupants fight the fire. One question though: why need the standpipe while sprinkler systems are readily found and installed with ease?

Understanding the importance, benefits and how standpipe systems work could answer this question. A standpipe is basically a water pipe often positioned vertically on a multi-storey building. It extends from a water supply to provide large volumes of water for firefighting or for irrigation purposes. Hoses are attached at the standpipe to draw water from the pipe.

Comparing the efficacy of the standpipes and the sprinkler systems, one would notice that these systems have the same functionality but are efficient in different settings. In a nutshell, sprinklers are automatic whereas standpipes are applied manually. Both systems are of paramount importance to any MEP building design.

The sprinklers, however, are suitable for minor flames, while standpipes are for huge flames mainly due to the high pressure exerted by the water. The standpipe does not have the functionality of sensing fire.

Human intervention should detect that and then connect hoses. Standpipes basically come into types: wet and dry pipe system. This is more like the sprinklers with dry pipe and wet pipe sprinklers.

Dry standpipe

The dry standpipe is fixed into the building with its water supply nearby so it gets transported when in need. As in the name, this pipe stays dry and gets water when there is a need. Firefighters bring their hoses to use this dry standpipe, and they attach the hoses on the pipe to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, this type of system is not best-suited for the occupants of the building, but only the firefighters.

The main difference between the dry and wet standpipe is the water available in the pipes. In terms of efficiency, the wet standpipe is advantageous since it always has water in case the fire breaks out, and the occupants can also use it. The dry pipe system is risky as fire can extend its damage while firefighters are still on the way with hoses.

Wet standpipes

This type of system always has water in it, and at higher pressures. The wet standpipes usually have hoses already attached and thus ready to use in case the fire breaks out.

There is no need to wait for the firefighters as the tenants can use the hoes to quench the fire. Such systems are also installable in a horizontal direction on bridges.

To make life easier, one needs to consider installing wet standpipes in a building if not already installed. They negate the need for the firefighters who might be delayed by unforeseen circumstances.

Standpipes are categorized into three classes, viz. class I, class II and class III.

Class I: this class has a 2 and a half inch hose connection and it is best suited for firefighters and other trained personnel. There are only connections with threads and no hoses. As a result, occupants are not privileged to use this class unless they are well-trained to.

Class II: this class comes with a hose connection of 1 and half an inch. It is still best suited for trained personnel.

Class III: this last class gives a 1 and a half an inch hose connection to supply moderate volumes of water and 2 and a half an inch to supply large volumes of water typically used in heavy applications.

How to get started with standpipe installation?

Due to their nature and the size, the installation of the standpipe could be more demanding for an individual to achieve. It involves a large network of pipes. Firstly, there must be a water source nearby that can supply the pipe with water.

Other components such as the valves and pressure calibrations have to be taken into account. The best way is to rely on experienced contractors to install the piping system for you. It requires a high level of accuracy as it plays a pivotal role in the manual fighting of the fire.

Maintaining Standpipe

Also noteworthy to the standpipe system is their maintenance to retain their efficiency. Before using the pipe, flush it to make sure it is not clogged. The pressure controls have to be on a scale so as to use the required pressure, measured in psi, to carry out the tasks.

The National Fire Protection Association in the United States enforces standards that these pipes have to be inspected and maintained regularly. It could be monthly, quarterly or yearly; as long as there is maintenance.

During maintenance, the control valves, hose connections, cabinet, pressure control valves, hydrostatic tests, and many more components should be inspected over different durations. For instance, the NFPA requires that the hose is tested every 3 to 5 years while the control valves should be inspected monthly.

It should be apparent now that what the benefits of the standpipe are and why you should consider it in spite of the sprinkler system.

One drawback of the standpipe is its costly maintenance and installation, but that is worth an investment when considering the fact that the system protects property and safeguards lives when struck with fires.

Sprinkler systems are good and that is undeniable; however, they cannot replace the standpipe. For this reason, each building, particularly high-rise ones, should have the standpipe installed for manual combat of fire.

The sprinklers are not effective in quenching an extreme fire. The good part about the sprinklers is the automated usage.

Standpipes do not have an automatic setting. They are, nonetheless, very important in fire protection services. There are two types: dry and wet standpipe.

In comparison, the wet standpipes are more preferable as the water is readily available and the occupants can also use it to extinguish the blaze. The dry standpipes are best suited for use by the trained personnel and fire departments.

The answer to the topic is that both the sprinkler system and the standpipe are important, and should be installed.

STANDPIPE

Mechanical - HVAC Engineering

Large Volumes of Water

Easy to Install

Quick Turnaround

Reduce Construction Costs with a Free MEP Value Engineering Design Review

Standpipe Designs for High-rise Buildings

Installing standpipes in your property

Why Standpipe If You Have Sprinkler Systems?

Dry standpipe

Wet standpipes

How to get started with standpipe installation?

Maintaining Standpipe

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