(a) Standpipes shall be installed in all buildings exceeding two occupied floors or fifty feet in height, except single and two-family dwellings. Such standpipes shall not be less than four inches in diameter for buildings not exceeding fifty-five feet in height, and not less than six inches in diameter for buildings over fifty-five feet in height.
On stages arranged or intended for theatrical, operatic or similar performances, regardless of building height, there shall be one, two and one-half inch standpipe on each side of the stage, complete with a hose rack, hose and nozzle.
The installation of all standpipe systems shall be in accordance with plans and specifications based on the requirements of this article.
(b) Standpipe systems shall be installed so as to provide reasonable safety to persons and property. Evidence that standpipe systems have been installed in accordance with the applicable standards specified for this section in Appendix B of the Code shall be evidence that such standpipe systems provide reasonable safety to persons and property and which have been
subject to the approval of the Fire Chief.
(1) Number of standpipes. The number of standpipes shall be such that all parts of every floor area can be reached within thirty feet by a nozzle attached to a maximum of 100 feet of hose connected to a standpipe.
(2) Location of standpipes. Standpipes shall be so located that they are protected against mechanical and fire damage, with outlets, hose racks, hose and nozzle within stairway enclosures.
(3) Construction of standpipes.
A. Standpipes shall be constructed of wrought iron or steel, and shall be designed to withstand a working pressure of not less than 100 pounds per square inch in excess of the static head of water due to the height of the standpipes.
B. Standpipes shall extend from the lowest story of the building to the topmost story provided that standpipes serving parts of buildings that are not of the full height of the building need extend only to the top story of that part.
C. When more than one standpipe is required in a building they shall be connected at the base of their risers by water supply pipes of a size equal to that of the largest standpipes, to permit water from any source, to apply all the standpipes.
D. Where the water supply is furnished by gravity tank or pressure tank located in the building at, or above the topmost outlet, a check valve shall be provided below the tank and a top valve shall be provided below the tank and a top valve shall be between the check valve and the tank.
E. Standpipes shall be equipped on every story with two and one-half inch hose connections and valves located not more than five feet above the floor level. Such valves shall be provided with two and one-half inch to one and one-half inch reducing couplings for use with the Fire Division hose.
F. Sufficient outside stem and yoke valves shall be provided to permit control of the standpipe riser without interrupting the supply to other risers from the same source of supply. Outside stem and yoke valves which are located above the ground floor, and which must be closed to permit continued use of one standpipe in case of failure of another, shall be arranged to permit operation from the floor or from the pump room.
G. Only fittings, connections and valves approved by the Fire Chief shall be used in construction of standpipe systems.
H. Standpipe and sprinkler systems shall be tested at a minimum of 200 psi for two hours.
(4) Fire Division connections for standpipe systems.
A. Standpipes shall be provided with outside Fire Division Siamese connections approved by the Fire Chief, having check valves on each inlet. The pipe from the Fire Division connection to the standpipe system shall be a minimum of four inches in diameter.
B. There shall be one or more Fire Division Siamese connections for each standpipe system.
C. Siamese connections shall be placed not less than eighteen inches nor more than thirty-six inches above the level of the adjoining ground or sidewalk.
D. The threads of such Fire Division connections shall be uniform with those used by the North Olmsted Fire Division. Substantial plugs, with connecting chains, shall be provided to protect the threads on each connection.
E. Each such Fire Division connection shall be suitably marked with raised letters reading "Standpipe Wet" or "Standpipe Dry".
F. Inside the building or pit in a horizontal section of the standpipe connection, a straightway check valve approved by the Fire Chief shall be placed, with an automatic drip connection valve between the check valve and the exterior Fire Division Siamese connection to prevent freezing.
(5) When the Fire Chief determines that the standpipe would not be used because of the location or construction of the building, he may waive this requirement and substitute other safety measures.
(Ord. 96-105. Passed 7-2-96.)