For high-rise buildings, what is the maximum height before a standpipe must be installed?

In the context of fire safety regulations for high-rise buildings, the installation of a standpipe is crucial for enabling firefighters to combat fires effectively on elevated floors. The Building Code specifies that a standpipe system is required in buildings that exceed a height threshold intended to ensure adequate firefighting efforts.

For most building codes, including the International Building Code (IBC), the standard is that once a building reaches three stories in height, a standpipe system must be installed. This requirement is based on the recognition that as buildings rise, the complexity of firefighting operations increases, necessitating reliable and accessible water supply systems.

With buildings taller than three stories, firefighting resources must be able to reach the higher levels efficiently and safely. The installation of standpipes facilitates this, providing necessary water pressure and flow to combat fires at elevated heights. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the code's intent to maintain safety standards as buildings increase in height, enhancing the preparedness for fire emergencies.