A standpipe or riser is a type of rigid water piping which is built into multi-story buildings in a vertical position, or into bridges in a horizontal position, to which fire hoses can be connected, allowing manual application of water to the fire. Within the context of a building or bridge, a standpipe serves the same purpose as a fire hydrant. NFPA 14 - Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems regulates the design of standpipe system in the United States. Some standpipe systems are combined with fire sprinkler systems, using common pipes to supply both the sprinklers and hose connections.

Fire standpipes have two broad types: "Wet" and "Dry". The terms describe their state during normal, non-firefighting situations.

Dry standpipe systems do not contain water in the piping during normal, non-firefighting situations. Water is only introduced when needed for firefighting purposes.

Manual Dry Standpipe System - A standpipe system that is not connected to a water supply and requires water to be pumped into the system via a fire department connection (FDC), often by a fire truck.

Semiautomatic Dry Standpipe System - A standpipe system that is connected to a water supply and capable of supplying the water at any time, but requires the manual activation of a valve or other control to introduce the water into the system.

Automatic Dry Standpipe System - A standpipe system that is connected to a water supply and capable of supplying the water at any time, that is kept under air pressure, so that upon the opening of a hose supply connection valve, water is drawn into the system via a dry pipe valve.

Wet standpipe systems contain water at all times.

Manual Wet Standpipe System - A standpipe system that contains water, but requires additional water to be pumped into the system via a fire department connection (FDC), often by a fire truck.