Which of the following is a typical standard pressure target at the FDC for pumpers?

• A. 150 psi
• B. 125 psi
• C. 175 psi
• D. 100 psi

Answer: (A)

When pumping through the Fire Department Connection, you want a reliable head at the connection to drive water through the supply line and into the pump that will deliver to the nozzle. The standard target pressure at the FDC is 150 psi because it provides enough pressure to overcome friction losses in typical supply setups and fittings, while still leaving adequate pressure for the receiving pump to develop the required discharge pressure at the nozzle.

If the pressure at the FDC were routinely lower, friction losses along long or multiple-sleeve supply lines could drop the available pressure too far, reducing nozzle flow. If it were higher than necessary, it adds unnecessary wear and complexity without improving performance in most common relay operations. Therefore, 150 psi is the practical, commonly taught target that balances these factors.