A fire department connection to a sprinkler system enables firefighters to

• A. Ensure that the pressure of the primary water supply is maintained
• B. Provide extra water supply to the system
• C. Shut off the water supply to the building
• D. Ventilate the system

Answer: (A)

A fire department connection is used to bring extra water into the sprinkler system from a fire department pump, so the system can stay pressurized and deliver enough water during a fire. When demand from the sprinklers is high, the building’s own supply or the municipal pressure may not be enough; tying in the fire department’s pump boosts both the amount of water and the pressure in the piping, helping to control or suppress the fire. It isn’t used to shut off water to the building or to vent the system, and it’s not primarily about maintaining the city’s main water pressure, but about augmenting the sprinkler system’s supply to keep it working effectively.