What is the primary purpose of a Fire Department Connection (FDC)?

The primary purpose of a Fire Department Connection (FDC) is to provide additional water supply for firefighting operations. The FDC is a crucial component of fire protection systems, allowing firefighters to connect their hoses to the water supply of a building’s sprinkler system or standpipe system during an emergency.

When firefighters arrive on the scene of a fire, they often need to augment the building's internal water supply to effectively combat the flames. The FDC enables them to bring in water from an external source, such as a fire hydrant, ensuring that there is sufficient water pressure and volume to extinguish the fire. This is particularly important in large structures or situations where the internal water supply might not be adequate on its own.

The other options do not align with the primary function of the FDC. While maintenance of fire systems is important, this is not the FDC's main purpose. Reducing water pressure is contrary to the FDC's intent, as it is meant to enhance water supply for firefighting. Similarly, connecting to emergency lighting falls outside the scope of the FDC's functionality in firefighting efforts.