During periodic inspection of fire department connections, which task should be performed?

• A. Verify hose thread compatibility
• B. Verify that plugs and inlet swivel(s) are operational
• C. Verify that the fire department connection inlet is free from debris
• D. Verify the FD inlet is accessible only during daylight hours

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is to ensure the fire department can quickly and reliably connect its hoses to the building’s standpipe or sprinkler system when needed. Verifying hose thread compatibility is essential because if the FDC fittings don’t match the hoses firefighters bring, water cannot be delivered even if the rest of the system is in good shape. Different departments use different fitting standards (for example, NST versus Storz), so confirming that the FDC threads match the local hoses prevents delays and leaks during an emergency.

Other tasks mentioned are important parts of a complete FDC inspection—checking that plugs and inlets swivel are operational helps ensure the connection hardware works, and confirming the inlet is free from debris and accessible at all times ensures the opening can receive water and isn’t blocked. However, without compatible threads, those other checks won’t matter because a secure connection still can’t be made.