What is the term for the system of inlets, pipes, and outlets built into a structure to supply water for firefighting purposes?

• A. Standpipes
• B. Fire hydrants
• C. Wet risers
• D. Siamese connections

Answer: (A)

Standpipe systems are built into a structure to provide a ready water supply for firefighting. They run piping through the building with inlets (often from a fire department connection) and outlets on various floors so firefighters can connect hoses and access water without long distances from outside sources. These systems can be wet, meaning they’re filled with water and pressurized at all times, or dry, meaning they’re not charged until activated. A Siamese connection is a type of external connector used to combine multiple hoses or feed a standpipe, not the entire system itself, and a fire hydrant is an external municipal water source, not something built into the structure. Wet risers are a specific kind of standpipe that is always charged with water, typically in tall buildings. The term that covers the described setup is standpipe.