Standpipe and hose systems

This standard applies to small hose, Class II, and Class III standpipe systems installed to meet a particular OSHA standard. See Scope in 1910.158(a)(1).

No—Class I standpipe systems are excluded from this standard. See the Exception in 1910.158(a)(2).

The employer must make sure standpipes are located or otherwise protected against mechanical damage and must repair damaged standpipes promptly. See the Protection requirement in 1910.158(b).

They must be designed to let employees quickly and easily use the hose, valves, and other equipment during a fire or emergency. See Reels and cabinets in 1910.158(c)(1).

Employers must ensure reels and cabinets are clearly identified and used only to store fire equipment. See the rule on identification and exclusive use in 1910.158(c)(2).

Hose outlets and connections must be located high enough above the floor so they are not obstructed and are accessible to employees. See the height and accessibility requirement at 1910.158(c)(2)(i).

Employers must standardize screw threads or provide appropriate adapters so connections are compatible with the fire equipment used. See the compatibility requirement in 1910.158(c)(2)(ii).

Every 1½" (3.8 cm) or smaller outlet used to meet the standard must have hose connected and ready for use, except that in extremely cold climates the hose may be stored elsewhere if it is readily available and can be connected when needed. See 1910.158(c)(3)(i).

Standpipe systems installed after January 1, 1981 for employee use must be equipped with lined hose; existing unlined hose may remain in service but must be replaced with lined hose when it becomes unserviceable. See 1910.158(c)(3)(ii).

Employers must provide hose long enough so friction loss will not reduce the nozzle pressure below 30 psi (210 kPa). See the hose length and friction-loss requirement at 1910.158(c)(3)(iii).

Standpipe hose must have a shut-off type nozzle, and the dynamic pressure at the nozzle must be between 30 psi (210 kPa) and 125 psi (860 kPa). See the nozzle and pressure range requirements in 1910.158(c)(4).

The minimum water supply must deliver 100 gallons per minute (6.3 l/s) for at least thirty minutes. See the water supply requirement in 1910.158(d).

Piping (including yard piping) must be hydrostatically tested for at least 2 hours at not less than 200 psi (1380 kPa), or at least 50 psi (340 kPa) above normal pressure when normal pressure exceeds 150 psi (1030 kPa). See the acceptance test in 1910.158(e)(1)(i).

Hose with couplings in place must be hydrostatically tested at not less than 200 psi (1380 kPa) for at least 15 seconds and not more than one minute; during the test the hose must not leak or have jacket threads break. See 1910.158(e)(1)(ii).

Employers must keep water supply tanks filled to the proper level except during repairs, and when pressure tanks are used they must keep proper pressure at all times except during repairs. See 1910.158(e)(2)(i).

Employers must keep those valves fully open at all times except during repair. See the valve requirement in 1910.158(e)(2)(ii).

Hose systems must be inspected at least annually and after each use to confirm equipment and hose are in place, available, and in serviceable condition. See the inspection requirement in 1910.158(e)(2)(iii).

The employer must remove the unserviceable system or portion from service immediately and provide equivalent protection, such as portable extinguishers and fire watches. See 1910.158(e)(2)(iv).

Hemp or linen hose on existing systems must be unracked, inspected for deterioration, and reracked using a different fold pattern at least annually; defective hose must be replaced per [1910.158(c)(3)(ii)]. See 1910.158(e)(2)(v) and 1910.158(c)(3)(ii).

The employer must designate trained persons to conduct all inspections required by this section. See 1910.158(e)(2)(vi).

You must ensure the nozzle's dynamic pressure stays within 30–125 psi, and provide hose length so friction loss doesn't drop nozzle pressure below 30 psi. Measure or calculate friction loss for the hose length and confirm nozzle pressure remains at least 30 psi under expected flow; see 1910.158(c)(3)(iii) and the nozzle pressure range at 1910.158(c)(4).

You must test at least at 200 psi because the standard requires a minimum of 200 psi for the 2-hour hydrostatic acceptance test; alternatively, if normal pressure exceeds 150 psi you can test at not less than 50 psi above normal pressure, but since 180+50 = 230 psi which is above 200 psi, you would use the higher value. See 1910.158(e)(1)(i).

You must either standardize the screw threads or provide appropriate adapters so the hose connections are compatible with the supporting fire equipment; using proper adapters is allowed as long as compatibility is assured. See 1910.158(c)(2)(ii).

Yes—inspect hose systems after each use and at least annually, and remove any unserviceable equipment from service immediately and replace it with equivalent protection like extinguishers or fire watches. See 1910.158(e)(2)(iii) and 1910.158(e)(2)(iv).

In extremely cold climates you may store hose away from the outlet to prevent damage, provided the hose is still readily available and can be connected when needed. See the cold-climate exception in 1910.158(c)(3)(i).