| If you have been involved with the fire protection | | | | 1. Exposed FDC - You'll see these mounted to the |
| industry for any length of time, you have | | | | wall of a building. Usually, they are backed by a |
| probably heard the phrase "fire department | | | | decorative ring, or escutcheon plate, indicating its |
| connection" or "FDC" more times than you can | | | | intended use: automatic sprinkler, standpipe, or |
| count. But, what exactly is a fire department | | | | standpipe & automatic sprinkler. |
| connection? The term can be used to describe | | | | 2. Flush Mount FDC - This type of connection |
| any number of building connections designed to | | | | consists of a body mounted behind the wall of a |
| supply water during a fire. | | | | building with only the escutcheon plate and inlets |
| Most commonly, a fire department connection | | | | visible on the outer wall. |
| consists of a brass body with two, three, or four | | | | 3. Free Standing FDC - These are normally found |
| 2½" inlets for the fire department to | | | | on the sidewalk in front of a building. A pipe will be |
| connect hoses to. Generally, water is pumped into | | | | protruding from the ground with the connection |
| the connection to supplement the building's fire | | | | mounted to the top at a 90 degree angle, so the |
| sprinkler or standpipe system. In most cases each | | | | inlets are facing out in the normal configuration. In |
| inlet has its own clapper, or check valve, that will | | | | the free standing application the escutcheon plate |
| only allow water to move in one direction, into the | | | | will be resting on the ground around the pipe. In |
| building. Connections usually fall under one of three | | | | visible areas, a decorative sleeve is often placed |
| categories: exposed, flush mount, and free | | | | over the pipe to match the finish of the FDC. |
| standing. | | | | |