Fire Department Connections: Start to Finish

BY DAVID T. PHELAN

Fire sprinkler systems are an invaluable resource in our fire protection arsenal. As building codes continue to evolve, these systems are becoming increasingly common in all types of occupancies and sizes of construction. This increased presence in our communities demands a greater awareness and understanding on the part of all fire service personnel including firefighters, company officers, command officers, and code officials. Each person involved needs to understand how these systems will impact their function and how that affects other fireground operations. A sprinkler system is of little value without an adequate and reliable water supply; yet, one of the least understood components of that water supply is the fire department connection (FDC). Members in all capacities need to be able to ensure that these systems perform at their optimum and are properly used to best minimize the risk of fire to property and life.

Let’s get something clear first: That hose fitting on the exterior of the building is not a “siamese”; it is not a sprinkler connection anymore than it is a standpipe connection. That device is thefire department connection. Before we scoff and dismiss this as a technicality, let’s consider for a moment how important being “technically” accurate on the fireground could end up being. Say an order is given to an arriving engine to “hit the siamese.” I’m pretty sure we agree that the intent is not to drive the apparatus into the building. But what happens when the crew stretches its hoselines to the building and is greeted with multiple connections, one labeled “standpipe” and the other labeled “sprinkler”? What happens when the order “hit the standpipe” is transmitted, and the crew carries the high-rise pack up the stairwell? In that instant we have succumbed to one of our greatest downfalls on the fireground—failure to communicate. We will do ourselves just a little more justice if we can break ourselves from tradition (gasp!) and begin to address this equipment correctly.