Terin Hopkins

NFSA Manager of Public Fire Protection

Enhancing Firefighter Safety, Operational Control, and Procurement Justification

NFPA 13E, Recommended Practice for Fire Department Operations in Properties Protected by Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems, emphasizes the critical role of accurate pressure control during interior standpipe firefighting operations. To support this objective, NFPA 13E recommends that fire departments acquire and deploy standpipe manifold assemblies typically consisting of a 45-degree elbow, a gated valve, and a pressure gauge or flow meter, to enhance operational safety, effectiveness, and control at the point of connection. This recommendation represents the national best practice for managing standpipe outlet pressures, improving interior crew safety, and ensuring effective fire streams during high-rise and mid-rise standpipe operations.

Role of Standpipe Manifolds in High-Rise & Mid-Rise Operations

A foundational principle of NFPA 13E is the necessity of controlling outlet pressures at standpipe hose valves to maintain safe and effective water delivery. Elevation gain, friction loss, variable system design, and pressure-reducing devices (PRVs) can all create unpredictable floor-level pressures. Without regulated outlet control, attack crews may experience:

• Excessive nozzle reaction
• Over-pressurization of hose lines
• Inconsistent or inadequate flow
• Incur higher risk of injury and hose failure

A standpipe manifold equipped with a 45-degree elbow, gate valve gives and pressure gauge or flow meter, gives the “control firefighter” a reliable way to monitor and manually manage standpipe outlet pressures in real time. This configuration ensures that attack crews receive consistent nozzle pressure and required fire flows, improving stream quality, and reducing interior operating hazards.

Enhanced Reliability in Variable System Conditions

Standpipe manifolds also provide operational redundancy when:

• Hose valves are damaged, seized, or leaking
• PRVs are improperly set or not field-adjustable
• Pressure requirements differ from system outlet conditions

By placing pressure control at the outlet, rather than relying solely on nozzle throttling, firefighters can ensure stable attack-line performance without compromising safety. This capability is especially important in PRV-equipped buildings, where outlet pressures may exceed safe operating levels or fall below attack requirements.

Alignment With NFPA 13E Revision Efforts

NFPA 13E is currently undergoing revision, with publication of the next edition anticipated in 2026. As part of the current revision cycle, standpipe manifolds have been formally recommended as standard operational equipment for interior standpipe attack. This recommendation was approved by the NFPA 13E Technical Committee at Second Draft and is anticipated to be adopted in the upcoming edition of the recommended practice. This new addition reflects decades of fireground experience, showing that interior pressure regulation is essential in both manual and automatic standpipe environments. This forthcoming edition reinforces the long-recognized value of manifolds in providing safe, effective, and dependable standpipe suppression capability.

Consistent With NFPA 14 System Requirements

Standpipe manifold assemblies also support the intent of NFPA 14 (2024), which establishes a maximum hose-valve outlet pressure of 175 psi. Since high-rise pressures are influenced by building height, pump configuration, and PRVs, actual outlet conditions may vary significantly floor-to-floor.

Manifolds enable firefighters to:

• Maintain consistent nozzle pressure within target ranges
• Account for elevation and friction losses
• Remain within NFPA 14 safe-pressure limits

By providing a controlled method for reducing or balancing pressure, manifolds ensure that crews can deliver appropriate flows even under complex or changing conditions.

Procurement & Grant Justification

Because NFPA 13E is a nationally recognized recommended practice guiding fire department operations in buildings with standpipes and sprinklers, it provides a strong operational and standards-based foundation for equipment acquisition.

Fire departments pursuing capital budget approval, internal purchasing requests, or grant funding, including federal programs such as (AFG) program, should reference NFPA 13E to justify the purchase of standpipe manifolds.

NFPA 13E guidance clearly supports the need for:

• Real-time standpipe outlet pressure monitoring
• Safe, adjustable outlet pressure control
• Proper management of PRVs and variable building conditions
• Consistent flow delivery during interior operations

These factors demonstrate that standpipe manifolds are not merely preferred tools but are key devices supporting national best practice for interior standpipe use.

Purchasing manifolds demonstrates a department’s commitment to:

• Firefighter safety
• Standards compliance
• Operational consistency
• Mutual-aid interoperability

Departments may also reference NFPA 14 (2024) requirements limiting outlet pressures to 175 psi, reinforcing the need for reliable field-adjustable control when operating within these limits.

Operational and Safety Advantages

Standpipe manifolds provide measurable tactical and safety advantages, including:

• Accurate monitoring of outlet pressure at the point of supply
• Reduced nozzle reaction and hose stress
• Improved interior flow consistency
• Independent control when hose valves or PRVs malfunction
• Seamless integration with both manual and automatic standpipe systems
• Standardized attack-line deployment and mutual-aid coordination

Collectively, these improvements enhance crew safety, streamline operations, and increase the likelihood of an effective initial attack.

Conclusion

NFPA 13E recognizes the use of standpipe manifold assemblies, consisting of a 45-degree elbow, gate valve and pressure gauge or flow meter as an essential component of interior standpipe firefighting operations. These assemblies enable firefighters to accurately monitor and regulate outlet pressures, improve flow consistency, support NFPA 14 design limitations, and manage PRV-controlled systems safely.

Because NFPA 13E provides national recommended-practice guidance endorsing their use, fire departments should reference this document when pursuing grant funding, capital requests, or administrative approval to purchase standpipe manifolds.

Adopting this equipment demonstrates a proactive commitment to:

• Firefighter safety
• Operational excellence
• Standards-aligned best practices

As a result, NFPA 13E recommends the acquisition and deployment of standpipe manifold assemblies to ensure the safest and most effective interior standpipe firefighting operations.

More about the Author:

Terin Hopkins brings over four decades of fire service and public safety experience to his current role as Manager of Public Fire Protection for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA). Beginning his career in 1981 as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT, Terin went on to serve 25 years with the Prince George’s County (MD) Fire/EMS Department, retiring as station officer in 2010. He then continued his commitment to protecting communities with the Howard County Department of Fire Rescue Services, Office of the Fire Marshal. In 2018, Terin joined NFSA and now serves as a national resource for fire departments, code officials, and policymakers. He represents NFSA on several key NFPA and UL committees, including NFPA 1, NFPA 14, UL 47, and NFPA 13E, shaping the standards firefighters depend on. Terin remains dedicated to bridging the gap between the fireground and the codebook. His mission is to ensure that the voices of firefighters are heard in the standards-making process, while advancing fire protection systems that improve both firefighter safety and civilian survivability.

Have Questions: Just ask Chat EOD!