NCIDQ IDFX Practice Exam

What function do standpipes serve in building fire safety?

1. They provide electrical outlets

2. They offer water outlets for firefighting hoses

3. They act as ventilation systems

4. They increase water supply pressure

The correct answer is: They offer water outlets for firefighting hoses

Standpipes are vital components of a building's fire safety system, specifically designed to provide a practical means for firefighters to access water directly within the structure. The primary function of standpipes is to offer water outlets for firefighting hoses. These outlets are strategically located throughout a building, enabling firefighters to connect their hoses quickly and efficiently, facilitating a rapid response to suppressing fires. When a standpipe is installed, it typically consists of a network of vertical pipes that deliver water from the building's water supply system, often linked to both the municipal water source and an internal water storage system, ensuring that sufficient water is readily accessible for firefighting operations. The design of standpipes takes into account fire codes and standards to ensure they meet the required flow rates and pressures needed during an emergency. While other choices such as providing electrical outlets, acting as ventilation systems, and increasing water supply pressure pertain to different functions within a building's structure and systems, they do not relate to the specific purpose served by standpipes in enhancing fire safety and delivering vital water to combat fires.