Balanced Fire Protection

to Promote Life Safety

A Closer Look:

Standpipe Fire Hose Stations

Call fire department; Announce fire/alert others; Make sure everyone is safe.

Defend in place

Fire/smoke alarm sounds

Suppression system activates

Sprinkler system activates

Fire department responds

A C

hain

of S

urviv

al

Proper use of standpipe fire hose station:

1. Open valve completely.

2. Pull hose entirely off rack or water will not flow.

3. Water will flow when hose is free and nozzle is open.

Maintain 15 – 20 feet distance

Fire Equipment Manufacturers‘ Association, Inc.1300 Sumner AvenueCleveland, OH 44115-2851tel: 216-241-7333fax: 216-241-0105www.femalifesafety.orgfema@taol.com

2007 © Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association

Fire Equipment Manufacturers‘ Association, Inc.

The illustrated chain of survivaldemonstrates in a fire scenario howsafety-to-life does not depend onany single safeguard. All emergencysystems must work together within abalanced fire protection plan. FEMA,The Life Safety Group is dedicated to promoting this importanteducational message to save livesand protect property.

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A Standpipe Fire Hose Station is a critical component of a Balanced Fire Protection Plan

A complete and balanced fire protection plan isone that includes on-site, defend-in-place fireprotection equipment to protect individualsagainst initial developing fires. Standpipe firehose stations are an invaluable link in the life-saving “chain of survival” that can ultimatelysave lives and protect property and the environ-ment from fire. The standpipe fire hose stationis critical to a balanced fire protection planbecause of the fire hose rack, fire hose, and nozzle contained within it. This equipmentworks together to allow fast response to firebefore the fire has time to spread.

Standpipe fire hose stations, along with otherequipment such as fire extinguishers, are YourFirst Defense against small fires once the firedepartment has been called and everyone issafe. This is especially important where the firedepartment response is in excess of five minutes.

The benefits of Standpipe Fire Hose Stations:

Quick SuppressionStandpipe fire hose stations provide earlysuppression. Statistics show that standpipe firehose stations provide on-site protection at theearliest stage of the fire and, therefore, offerquick and effective response. Occupants do nothave to wait for help to arrive before a fire inits early stages can be extinguished or contained.

One Person OperationStandpipe fire hose stations are activated andoperated by one person. This equipment doesnot depend on heat, smoke, or flame to spread before water can be applied to the fire. This manually activated equipmentprovides total reliability in the event of failureof automatic systems.

Minimal Water DamageStandpipe fire hose stations are ideal for extin-guishing small fires. Fire hoses installed withinstandpipe stations can actually minimize waterdamage since water can be applied directly atthe fire base versus indiscriminate spray fromautomatic systems. In addition, they can be shut off immediately after extinguishment.

Occupant Safety/RescueStandpipe fire hose stations can provide a pathof egress otherwise blocked by a fire. Leaving abuilding quickly isn’t always an option during afire. Standpipe fire hose stations can be used toclear a pathway to safety and provide temporaryoccupant protection.

Fire protection and safety hinge on the first few minutes

A fire can consume a property in minutes. Thatis why those first critical seconds can be thedifference between a single flame and a tragedy.Ninety-three percent of deaths and 95 percent of property damage occurs once the fire has pro-gressed beyond the early stage. More fires canbe extinguished early if the public and industryare educated about the importance of standpipefire hose stations and how they can prevent firesfrom consuming property and taking lives.

Consider these facts:When fires are extinguished in the early stages:

Loss of life is minimal. 93 percent of all fire-related deaths occur once the fire has progressed beyond the early stages.*

Direct property damage is minimal.95 percent of all direct property damage occurs once the fire has progressed beyond the early stages.*

Standpipe Fire Hose Stations

F I R E E Q U I P M E N T M A N U F A C T U R E R S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N | W W W . F E M A L I F E S A F E T Y . O R G

* Source: 1991-1995 National Fire Incident Reporting System

(NFIRS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

A Plan to Save Lives

www.rackhosetraining.com

www.firesystemstraining.org

www.fireextinguisher.com

Visit the following

educational and

training websites:

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