• <br />• <br />U <br />QUANTITY <br />The above standards generally require a single FDC <br />such as the one in Figure 5.1. In some cases, an <br />additional interconnected FDC will be required. For <br />example, NFPA 14 requires multiple FDCs in <br />remote locations on high-rise buildings. This code <br />provision was added after experience with high- <br />rise fires showed that broken glass and debris <br />failing from a fire area can damage hose lines. A <br />second remote FDC increases the dependability of <br />the water supply. <br />The following section discusses the number of <br />inlets provided for each FDC. However, this deci- <br />sion can be related to the quantity of FDCs. If the <br />water quantity demand of the system is high <br />enough to justify more than two inlets, then the <br />designer should specify separate FDCs. This config- <br />uration would facilitate different pumpers feeding <br />different FDCs. <br />When a building has multiple FDCs, most fire <br />departments would prefer that they be intercon- <br />nected. This enables the fire' department to feed <br />any system from any FDC (Figure 5.2). However, <br />sometimes this is not possible. For example, a man- <br />ual dry standpipe system (with no connected water <br />supply) cannot be interconnected with an automatic <br />sprinkler system. Sometimes,'FDC interconnection is <br />not preferable, as discussed in the section, Other <br />Design Issues, page 40, regarding large dry stand- <br />pipe systems. When FDCs are not interconnected, <br />the designer should consider special signage as dis- <br />cussed in the section, Marking, on page 47. <br />Considerations - FDC Quantity <br />■ Provide the required or appropriate number <br />of FDCs. <br />■ When more than two inlets are provided, <br />consider separate FDCs.; <br />■ Separate FDCs should be located remotely <br />from one another. <br />■ Interconnect separate FDCs to feed all sys- <br />tems where possible. <br />4 2 <br />(Fig. 5.2) Separate sprinkler and standpipe connections <br />(threaded types). To feed both systems, at least one hose <br />line must be connected to each of the two FDCs. <br />i <br />(Fig. 5.3) A 4-inlet FDC. It would probably be more <br />efficient, and give the fire department more options, to <br />have placed two, 2-inlet FDCs in different locations on <br />this building. <br />j <br />, <br />(Fig. 5.4) A quick-connect type of FDC. <br />O% U <br />Occupational Safety and <br />Health Administration <br />158 <br />