Who is responsible for approving the location of fire department connections?

The responsibility for approving the location of fire department connections falls to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). This entity is typically a local fire department, building department, or other governing authority in charge of enforcing code compliance and ensuring safety standards. The AHJ has the expertise and authority to evaluate the site conditions, access routes for fire vehicles, and overall compliance with relevant codes and standards, such as NFPA guidelines.

The AHJ’s involvement is crucial because they understand the operational needs of firefighting and can assess how effectively a fire department connection will serve in an emergency. Their decisions are informed by both technical considerations and practical experiences in the field, allowing them to determine the optimal locations for such connections to facilitate quick accessibility and maximize firefighting efficiency.