What are key components of a fire department connection (FDC)?

A fire department connection (FDC) is a critical component in fire protection that serves to enable firefighters to quickly and efficiently access water from the municipal water supply or a storage tank during an emergency. The correct answer highlights the essential elements of an FDC:

Hose connections allow firefighters to easily attach hoses to the FDC for water supply. These connections are designed to accommodate standard fire hoses, ensuring compatibility with equipment used by various fire departments. Indicating signage is critical as it informs firefighters of the FDC's location and provides guidance on how to operate it quickly during emergencies. This can be particularly vital in large or complex structures where time is of the essence. A check valve is necessary to prevent backflow of water into the FDC from the supply side, ensuring that the system remains pressurized and that contaminants cannot enter the potable water supply.

Other options do include important components related to fire safety and suppression systems, but they do not specifically define the key components found in an FDC. For example, pumps and hoses are instrumental in firefighting but do not form a part of the FDC itself. Sprinkler heads and flow switches relate to the internal sprinkler systems rather than the FDC, while pressure gauges and drains may be useful in other