IBC Temporary Standpipe Requirements

Standpipe

It is tough in today’s industry to properly monitor and keep up with municipality requirements as it relates to the fire prevention code. So, many businesses in the fire protection industry follow one or multiple standard influencers – the IFC, IBC, or NFPA. If businesses follow a different influencing group each year, they will stay up to date on the current information. One of these standards/code requirements would be the IBC’s Temporary Standpipe requirement. This requirement provides information on when a building requires a standpipe system.

Section 3311 of the IBC states the standpipe requirements. The 2015 variation of the code dictates in section 3311.1,

Where required. In buildings required to have a standpipe by Section 905.3.1, no fewer than one standpipe shall be provided for use during construction. Such standpipe(s) shall be installed prior to construction exceeding 40 feet in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. Such standpipe(s) shall be provided with fire department hose connections at accessible locations adjacent to usable stairways. Such standpipe(s) shall be extended as construction progresses to within one floor of the highest point of construction having secured decking or flooring.”

With regards to the above section, some building officials, or local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can and have, in our experience, interpret that as including both new and existing buildings that require a standpipe system. If anything, it provides a talking point with the customer and/or the AHJ in the early/bidding stages of the project.

It is worth noting, that some AHJ’s have provided variances to the IBC standpipe requirements based on the fire department having access to the highest occupied floor with their equipment, such as a ladder truck, but you must ask. What is the worst they can say? No?

As a preconstruction adviser, Ahern’s knowledge and experience benefit general contractors, architects, and building owners. Through early involvement in standpipe system selection, we can help ensure designs follow proper code and mitigate design changes after a project has been initiated. 

To learn more, contact Ahern today!