NBC 2025 Guidelines for Standpipe and Hose Connection Placement | London, Ontario
Sarah's Expert Insight
Senior Consultant at empcontracting.ca Inc.
"The 2025 NBC updates emphasize precise hose connection locations to ensure rapid deployment by London Fire Services during high-rise or large-scale emergencies. At empcontracting.ca Inc., we prioritize these specific fire safety protocols to ensure your London, Ontario construction project remains compliant and passes municipal inspections without costly delays."
Navigating the 2025 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) requires a deep understanding of fire safety infrastructure, specifically regarding standpipe and hose connection placement. These systems are critical for providing fire departments with a reliable water supply throughout a building's height and depth.
General Placement Requirements
According to NBC 2025, hose connections must be strategically located to ensure coverage of all floor areas. Primarily, these connections are required in every required exit stairway and on each side of a horizontal exit to facilitate safe firefighting operations from protected locations.
Stairwell and Floor Access
Hose connections must be provided at every floor level landing in required exit stairwells. For buildings with large floor plates, additional connections may be required so that no point on a floor is more than 39 meters from a hose connection in non-sprinklered buildings, or 61 meters in sprinklered buildings, ensuring complete coverage for emergency responders.
Roof and Attic Connections
If a building has a combustible roof or significant mechanical equipment located on the roof, NBC 2025 mandates at least one hose connection be located on the roof or within a penthouse. This allows for rapid fire suppression at the highest point of the structure where fire spread could otherwise go unchecked.
Technical Specifications and Accessibility
Installation Height and Clearances
Hose connections must be installed between 900 mm and 1500 mm above the finished floor level. This specific height range ensures that firefighters can quickly and ergonomically attach heavy hose lines during an emergency. Furthermore, a clear space must be maintained around the valve handle to allow for unobstructed operation even when wearing bulky protective gear.
System Classification and London Standards
The NBC distinguishes between Class I, II, and III systems. While Class I systems (65 mm connections) are exclusively for fire department use, Class III systems provide both 65 mm and 38 mm connections. Most modern high-rise and commercial developments in London, Ontario, utilize Class III combined systems to maximize safety and utility.
Professional Implementation
Ensuring your building meets these evolving standards is essential for life safety and legal compliance. As empcontracting.ca Inc. your construction contractor in London, Ontario, we specialize in integrating these complex fire safety requirements into your project's design and execution phases to ensure full compliance with the latest code updates.