Where should a Fire Department Connection (FDC) be located and how should it be accessible?

• A. On the exterior of the building, clearly marked and accessible to fire department personnel.
• B. Inside the building on a stairwell wall.
• C. In the electrical room behind a locked door.
• D. In a storage closet inside the lobby.

Answer: (A)

FDCs belong on the outside of the building, clearly marked and ready for firefighters to access. Placing the connection exteriorly lets fire crews quickly couple their hoses to the building’s standpipe or sprinkler system without having to force entry or move through smoke, which speeds up water delivery to the fire. Accessibility means there are no doors, locks, or obstacles blocking the connection, and the area is unobstructed by vehicles or landscaping and easy to reach from ground level or a fire apparatus. Interior locations—like a stairwell, locked electrical room, or lobby storage—can delay access and hinder suppression efforts. So the exterior, clearly marked, unobstructed placement is the best choice.