Free S-13 Fire Department Connection (FDC) Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of the Fire Department Connection (FDC)?

Accepted Answer

To allow the Fire Department to pump water into the system.

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

It can prevent the FDNY from making a connection and can clog the system.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

It prevents water from the system from flowing back out of the FDC.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

That they rotate freely and are not damaged.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The type of system served and the area it covers.

Answer

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').

S-13 - Certificate of Fitness for Citywide Standpipe Systems Practice Test

S-13 - Certificate of Fitness for Citywide Standpipe Systems Practice Test

Free S-13 Fire Department Connection (FDC) Questions and Answers