Standpipes are needed in buildings where?

Standpipes are critical components of fire protection systems in buildings, specifically required in structures that exceed a certain height. The correct answer indicates that standpipes are needed in buildings where the distance to the highest occupied floor is greater than 75 feet. This requirement is based on the necessity for fire fighters to have access to adequate water supply for fire suppression in high-rise buildings. When the height of a building exceeds 75 feet, the need for a standpipe system becomes essential, as it allows for the efficient transport of water to upper floors, where firefighters may have limited access due to the physical constraints of reaching those heights.

In buildings that are under this height threshold, such as those that are less than 60 feet tall, the fire suppression methods can often be managed with alternative systems, or standard hose lengths may suffice. Buildings without elevators or those with fewer than three stories typically do not require the more complex standpipe systems, as the fire apparatus can effectively reach all floors directly, enabling quicker response times without the additional infrastructure needed for taller buildings.