HomeMy WebLinkAbout405.025 - Fire Department Connection RequirementsEffective Date: May 2014 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2025 Section 405.025
Next Revision Date: 5/21/2028 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 405.025 FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or
Department) requirements related to the installation of fire department connections.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all fire sprinkler system – fire department connection
installations, including both required and voluntary systems, throughout the City of
Fresno (COF) and contract service areas.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
As noted in the latest edition of the California Fire Code (CFC) the Department is
permitted to specify the requirements for all fire department connection installations
for all fire sprinkler systems.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse
service delivery area, the Department has determined that each fire sprinkler system
– fire department connection must be installed as follows:
1. Fire department connections must not be installed within five feet (5’) of any
building opening, excluding a fire sprinkler system riser access door. For the
purposes of this requirement, an opening is any change in building construction
from the exterior wall assembly of the building (i.e., a non-operable window
would still be considered a building opening as it is of a different level of fire
resistance from the construction of the wall assembly).
2. Fire department connections must be located within forty feet (40’) of a fire
apparatus access lane.
3. The minimum size of all fire department connections is based upon the
system type, however, no fire department connection is permitted to be less
than two- and one-half inches (2 ½”) in size.
Effective Date: May 2014 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2025 Section 405.025
Next Revision Date: 5/21/2028 Page 2 of 3
4. A single, two- and one-half inch (2 ½”) connection is only permitted for NFPA
13R and previously installed City of Fresno “Reduced Hydraulic Demand” fire
sprinkler systems (which are no longer permitted).
5. For fire sprinkler systems with a demand of up to 749 gallons per minute (gpm)
(system demand and hose stream allowance), a single, dual inlet, Siamese
style, fire department connection shall be provided. The inlets must be two and
one-half inch (2 ½”), connections. All fire department lead in connections to a
fire sprinkler system from a fire department connection must be a minimum of
four inches (4”) to the riser.
6. Any fire sprinkler system having a demand of 750 gpm or greater (system
demand and hose stream allowance) must be fitted with a single inlet style fire
department connection. The inlet connection must be a four- and one-half inch
(4½”) large diameter fire department connection. The large diameter
connection must consist of a female swivel with a plug, threaded with National
Hose Threads, located in an FFD approved location.
7. Fire sprinkler system plans submitted to FFD for a system that has a demand
of 750 gpm or greater (system demand and hose stream allowance) must have
a note on the plans stating the following:
“The fire department connection must be a large diameter (4 ½”) connection,
female swivel with a plug, National Hose Thread, located in an approved
location.”
NOTE:
While not required, fire department connection locations should be coordinated
with the location of the fire sprinkler system control valve location (found in FFD
Policy #405.003) which is now required to be remote from the building.
PROCESS
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INFORMATION
A fire department connection is generally required as part of a water-based
suppression system as the auxiliary water supply. These connections give the fire
department the capability of supplying the necessary water to the automatic sprinkler
at a sufficient pressure and volume. The fire department connection also serves as
an alternative source of water should a valve in the primary water supply be closed.
Effective Date: May 2014 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2025 Section 405.025
Next Revision Date: 5/21/2028 Page 3 of 3
FFD requirements for a fire department connection depend on the type of
sprinkler system installed and the required sprinkler demand and hose stream
allowance.
This policy specifies that a fire department connection must be located so that fire
operations can quickly commence adding water pressure and volume to a fire
sprinkler system.
Though not specifically mentioned in this policy, it is also important that fire
department connections be installed with the hose connections well above adjoining
grade to accommodate the free turning of a spanner wrench when connecting
hoses to the inlet.
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code, Currently adopted edition.
Fire Prevention Manual, Section #401.011, Fire Sprinkler Plan Specifications.
Fire Prevention Manual, Section #405.003, Fire Sprinkler Control Valve
Access.