When you require help from your local fire department, you want to be sure that your Fire Department Connection (FDC) is working properly. Working with AAA Fire Protection you will have one less thing to worry about.
FDC Inspections
FDC Requirements
Your Fire Department Connection (FDC) is the street-level access point to the standpipe, which allows the fire department to pump extra water into your suppression system. Should you need the fire department to help your building fight a fire, it’s very important that the FDC is unobstructed and connected properly. That’s why FDC inspections are required every five years. Need to fill your inspection requirement? We can help.
Working with AAA Fire Protection
Per requirements, FDC inspection needs to be done properly. But it doesn’t have to take all day. Our inspections typically take between 15 and 60 minutes. One technician will inspect your FDC by feeding a photo-optic cable through the piping from the exterior all the way to the one-way valve. The cable will allow us to see any obstructions or missing caps (giving us an image like that at right). We’ll also test to make sure that all valves are working properly. Finally, we’ll complete and help you file certification of inspection so that you can stay in compliance with NFPA 25.
WHY AAA FIRE
Our story began in 1954. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Seattle for over 60 years, we’ve grown to become a name synonymous with fire protection in the Northwest. Providing one of the most comprehensive service and product offerings in the region, backed by the largest fleet of service technicians, we stand ready.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DOES AAA TEST ALL TYPES OF FDCS?
Free standing, siamese, flush, you name it – we can inspect it. All FDCs serve the same purpose and can be investigated in the same way. Design simply depends on the aesthetic of the building and what is most accessible for the fire department.
WHAT IS THE FDC CONNECTED TO?
The FDC is connected to your sprinkler system through the standpipe. It allows the fire department to supplement your domestic water supply as your sprinklers work to suppress a fire.
WHAT ISSUES ARE MOST COMMONLY FOUND IN AN FDC INSPECTION?
If an FDC is missing a cap, we often find debris lodged in the piping. Sometimes these are man-made (such as trash or rocks placed by passersby) and sometimes its natural (such as bird or wasp nests). That’s why we always recommend caps for FDC openings.
