Which component serves as the external water source for standpipe systems?

• A. Fire department connection
• B. Water meter
• C. Hydrant head
• D. Pressure reducing valve

Answer: (A)

The fire department connection serves as the external water source for standpipe systems. It provides an exterior interface where firefighters or a pumper can introduce water into the building’s standpipe, feeding water up through the standpipe risers to the outlets. This connection is deliberately placed outside the building and designed to accept hoses or fittings from fire trucks to deliver water into the system when needed. The other items don’t supply the system: a water meter is just for measuring usage, a hydrant head is an outlet on a hydrant for discharging water, and a pressure reducing valve lowers pressure but does not supply water to the standpipe.