Free S-13 Fire Department Connection (FDC) Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the Fire Department Connection (FDC)?
- To drain the standpipe system for maintenance.
- To allow the Fire Department to pump water into the system. (Correct answer)
- To test the water pressure on each floor.
- To provide drinking water for firefighters.
Correct answer: To allow the Fire Department to pump water into the system.
The FDC is a critical inlet that allows the Fire Department to connect their pumper trucks to the building's standpipe or sprinkler system. This enables them to pump water into the system, supplementing or replacing the building's primary water supply during a fire.
Question 2: During a routine inspection, you find an FDC inlet is full of dirt and trash. This is a serious issue because:
- It is unsightly and reflects poorly on the building.
- It can prevent the FDNY from making a connection and can clog the system. (Correct answer)
- It can cause the FDC to rust prematurely.
- It violates local sanitation ordinances.
Correct answer: It can prevent the FDNY from making a connection and can clog the system.
Debris inside an FDC inlet can be forced into the standpipe piping when the Fire Department connects and starts pumping. This can cause a major obstruction, blocking water flow to firefighters, and can also damage critical system components like check valves.
Question 3: What is the function of the check valve located in the piping behind the FDC?
- It reduces the pressure from the FDNY pumper.
- It prevents water from the system from flowing back out of the FDC. (Correct answer)
- It automatically alerts the fire department when used.
- It mixes foam concentrate with the water.
Correct answer: It prevents water from the system from flowing back out of the FDC.
The check valve is a one-way valve that allows water from the FDNY pumper to flow into the standpipe system. It also automatically closes to prevent the pressurized water from the building's fire pump or gravity tank from flowing back out through the FDC.
Question 4: What must be checked on the FDC swivels during an inspection?
- That they are painted red.
- That they are tightened with a wrench.
- That they rotate freely and are not damaged. (Correct answer)
- That they have a pressure gauge attached.
Correct answer: That they rotate freely and are not damaged.
The swivels on the FDC inlets must rotate freely by hand. If they are frozen due to corrosion, damage, or lack of maintenance, the Fire Department will be unable to connect their hoses, rendering the FDC useless. The threads must also be in good condition.
Question 5: The sign plate attached to an FDC must, at a minimum, indicate what information?
- The building's address and the owner's name.
- The type of system served and the area it covers. (Correct answer)
- The date of the last system test and the contractor's name.
- The pressure required to pump into the system.
Correct answer: The type of system served and the area it covers.
The sign is critical for informing arriving firefighters about the FDC's function. It must clearly state what system(s) it serves (e.g., 'STANDPIPE' or 'AUTO SPKR & STANDPIPE') and which specific areas of the building it supplies (e.g., 'FLOORS 1-20' or 'EAST TOWER').
Question 6: What is the standard size for the inlets on a Fire Department Connection in NYC?
- 1.5 inches
- 2 inches
- 2.5 inches (Correct answer)
- 3 inches
Correct answer: 2.5 inches
The standard coupling size for FDNY hoses and equipment is 2.5 inches. FDCs are equipped with 2.5-inch female swivel inlets to ensure compatibility with the hoses carried on FDNY pumper trucks.
Free S-13 Fire Department Connection (FDC) Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the Fire Department Connection (FDC)?