A standpipe or riser is a type of rigid water piping built into multi-story buildings in a vertical position, or into bridges in a horizontal position, to which fire hoses can be connected, allowing manual application of water to the fire). Standpipes serve the same purpose as fire hydrants within the context of a building or bridge). When standpipes are fixed into buildings, the pipe is in place permanently with an intake usually located near a road or driveway, so that a fire engine can supply water to the system). Standpipes extend into the building to supply firefighting water to the interior of the structure via hose outlets, often located between each pair of floors in stairwells in high-rise buildings). Dry standpipes are not filled with water until needed in firefighting). Standpipes go in a direct up and down direction rather than looping around the stairwell, greatly reducing the length and thus the loss of water pressure due to friction loss). Additionally, standpipes are rigid and do not kink, which can occur when a firehose is improperly laid on a stairwell). Standpipe systems also provide a level of redundancy, should the main water distribution system within a building fail or be otherwise compromised by a fire or explosion).

Standpipe systems are a series of pipes that connect a water supply to hose connections, basically an extension of the fire hydrant system. They are designed to provide a pre-piped water system for building occupants or the fire department. Standpipe systems are designed to provide fire protection water for hose lines in strategically placed locations inside a building or structure. Some older buildings only have standpipe systems while many newer buildings will have a combination system, which supplies the fire sprinkler system and the standpipe system. They are most common in large floor area buildings, where most of the facility may be some distance from an outside entrance, and in multistory buildings to prevent long lengths of hose in stairwells and on the ground. There are three classes of standpipe systems: Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class I standpipe systems provide a 2 1/2 inch hose connection for use primarily by trained personnel or by the fire department during initial response. Class II standpipe systems provide 1 1/2 inch hose stations to supply water for use primarily by trained personnel or by the fire department during initial response. Class III standpipe systems are designed to supply water to standpipe systems for firefighting purposes.

Standpipes can also refer to high vertical pipes or reservoirs that are used to secure a uniform pressure in a water-supply system. In summary, standpipes are simple, inexpensive, and effective mechanisms used to prevent ...