5.1 Fire Department Connections (FDCs) and Hose Connections Inspection

5.1 Fire Department Connections and Hose Connections

Fire department connections and hose connections are both interfaces with the water-based system, but flow moves in opposite intended directions. An FDC is an inlet through which fire-department apparatus can supplement the system. A hose connection is an outlet used to take water from a standpipe or other hose arrangement. Correct identification comes before inspection or operation.

Fire department connection inspection

NFPA 25 (2023) summary information lists FDC inspection quarterly. Locate each connection from the site plan, signs, and inventory. Confirm that it is visible and accessible to the responding fire department. Record an obstruction based on the actual approach and local requirements; do not substitute an invented universal 36-inch clearance rule.

Inspect the FDC body, inlets, caps or plugs, chains or retaining devices where provided, swivels, threads or lugs, and visible gaskets. Look for corrosion, impact damage, leakage, missing parts, debris, insect nesting, paint buildup, or vandalism. Confirm the sign is present, legible, and identifies what the connection serves. Additional pressure or system information may be required by the installation or jurisdiction, so compare the installed sign with the approved records.

Different jurisdictions and systems use different connection styles. Do not teach that every inlet is a 2½-inch NH/NST threaded swivel or that every FDC has two inlets. Record the actual size, type, markings, and number of inlets when the form requires them. A mismatch with fire-department equipment or approved plans is a condition for the supervisor and authority having jurisdiction to evaluate.

Where visible or accessible under the assigned procedure, consider the check valve and automatic drain associated with the FDC. The check valve prevents system water from discharging through the inlets, and drainage helps prevent trapped water and freezing. Continued leakage, a clogged drain, or evidence of water trapped behind caps should be recorded. Internal inspection or disassembly is not implied by a quarterly exterior inspection.

Hose connection inspection

Hose valves and hose connections are also listed for quarterly inspection in the applicable NFPA 25 summary table. At each assigned outlet, inspect accessibility, cabinet or enclosure condition, valve body and handwheel, cap and chain where provided, threads or connection surface, visible gasket, sign, leakage, corrosion, and physical damage. Note missing components, blocked access, or storage that prevents use.

If a pressure-regulating or pressure-restricting device is present, identify its make, model, setting indication, and condition when requested. Do not adjust it. A device can resemble an ordinary hose valve while having a critical pressure-control function. Preserve seals and settings and refer discrepancies to the supervisor.

Hose, nozzles, racks, or cabinets may be part of the installed arrangement. Inventory and inspect them only to the scope assigned. Do not infer the standpipe class solely from hose presence, and do not assume an empty cabinet is defective without comparing it with signs and approved records.

Safe handling

Treat every connection as potentially pressurized. Before loosening a cap, observe for leakage and use the approved procedure. A cap can retain pressure or debris, and a damaged chain can create a strike hazard. Never connect equipment, flow water, or operate a hose valve merely as part of identification.

For an assigned operational test, establish notifications, drainage, water control, personal protective equipment, communications, and restoration steps. Open and close valves in the manner directed by the procedure. Stop for abnormal force, leakage, uncontrolled discharge, or unexpected system signals.

Documentation

Give each component a traceable location and identifier. For an FDC, record the systems served, sign, inlet configuration, caps, swivels or threads, access, visible damage, leakage, and associated drain concerns. For a hose connection, record floor or area, valve identification, cap, threads, handwheel, cabinet, device markings, access, and leakage.

Avoid unsupported labels. A missing cap may be a deficiency, while a condition that prevents the fire department from supplying the only available inlet can have greater consequence. Describe the facts and notify the supervising technician so classification considers the actual system and local requirements.

Exam focus

Ask which way water is intended to move. An FDC accepts supplemental water into the system; a hose connection delivers water out. For either component, choose objective inspection of access, signs, caps, threads or swivels, leakage, damage, and actual installed markings over a universal dimension or coupling assumption.

Quarterly interface check

• Access and signs identify the component and system served.
• Caps, plugs, swivels, threads, handwheels, and visible gaskets are present and sound.
• Leakage, corrosion, debris, drainage concerns, and damage are documented.