My understanding was: if one tenant, only one FDC is "required". However, good practice if not prescriptive conformance would have all systems receive pressurization and supply from the one FDC, would there be only one FDC /breaching valve.
Older versions of NFPA 14 say that the number and arrangement of FDCs is a building code issue (occupancy, building construction). Older verions of IBC don't state how many FDCs are required at a building, in their Fire Department Connections chapter, nor do many (if any) of the occupancy chapters state minimum number of FDCs. NFPA 5000 mentions FDCs once, in an appendix note as a support detail to fill in an example to a performance-based design explanation. OSHA commissioned a pamphlet (3256-09R 2015) on Fire Service design that seems to build upon the earlier work of Chibarro. On pp. 69 right column of this later edition-apparent, on the 1st paragraph we read, "Often a single FDC such as the one in Figure 10.1 will suffice. High-rises are one example where multiple FDCs may be warranted..." This pamphlet has 4 pages on FDC, more than many a guide, to be sure. While this pamphlet is advisory, but it should be mandatory reading for any fire protection designer, for it presents the all too often overlooked point of view, that of the fire fighters. I would say, if your architect wants it, he could get it. Of course, fire department gets their say as to how they want the FDC designed, as it is their equipment, after all. Scot Deal Excelsior Fire & Risk Engineering gsm: + 420 722 141 478 <+420%20722%20141%20478> (GMT + 1)
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