Which statement best describes where the primary feeder is located in a building's water distribution system?

• A. A device that stores the most water
• B. The largest pipes in a water distribution system
• C. A valve that controls distribution
• D. The branch lines to individual outlets

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the primary feeder is the main water supply path into the building’s fire protection distribution. It must carry the bulk of the water, so it’s sized with the largest diameter in the system to minimize friction losses and ensure adequate flow and pressure for all downstream demand, including sprinklers and standpipes. This keeps the water moving from the service or pump into the building’s distribution network. It isn’t a storage device, nor a control valve, nor the smaller branch lines that feed individual outlets. The branch lines and outlets are fed from this larger feeder, but they themselves are not the feeder.