Code Update

Amongst the myriad of changes to NFPA20 in 2003, pump rooms with a diesel driven fire pump are
now required to be sprinlered in accordance with NFPA!3 "2002#$ %he te&t in section '$!2 "section
2() of NFPA20 !***# has also been improved to further clarify fire resistance and sprinler
requirements for pump rooms$
INDUSTRY NEWS
A fire claiming si& lives in a hotel in +reenville ,outh -arolina once again calls in to question
.grandfather. legislation permitting e&isting hotels and motels to operate without automatic
sprinlers$ ,tatistics clearly indicate that automatic sprinlers save lives$ /n !***, no fire related
deaths occurred in sprinlered hotels and motels$
PRESSURE CONTROL SENSING LINES: THE LIFE-LINE OF A FIRE PUMP SYSTEM
%he following article was contributed by 0ill 1arvey of 1arvey and Associates and 2att 3oy of
Armstrong Pumps$
4ne of the most critical parts of a fire pump installation is the pressure control sensing line, and the
most common installation mistae found in new fire pump installations$ %he pressure control
sensing line is the lifeline for the entire fire protection system$ %he fire pump is often used as the
sole source of water for the fire sprinler system, and in other cases is used to enhance a marginal
water supply as in the case of a booster pump$ %he control sensing line provides the input for each
fire pump controller to start the pump$ /mproper installation occurs frequently resulting in the
possibility of equipment failure, or worse, failure to start under emergency conditions$ /ndependent
pressure control sensing lines for each pump including 5ocey pumps should be installed in strict
conformance to NFPA(20 "2003# sections !0$'$2$!$6 and !2$'$2$!$6$ %he pressure sensing line for
each pump, including 5ocey pumps, should be made between that pump7s discharge chec valve
and discharge butterfly "or 4,89# valve$ %he line should be installed using !:2 inch corrosion
resistant "stainless steel or copper# tubing$ %wo chec valves should be installed at least ' feet
apart in the pressure(sensing line with a 3:32(in$ "2$;(mm# hole drilled in the clapper to prevent
hammering of the pressure switch on pump starting$
Further clarification is given in the appendi& section A$!0('$2$! and A$!2$'$2$! figures "a# and "b#$
Also of note, the 5ocey pump and individual fire pumps must be equipped with individual sensing
lines to allow service of each pump without taing the entire system off line$
<hen dealing with multiple pumps, it is important to set the pressure switch set points such that
the 5ocey pump maintains pressure without starting the main or standby fire pumps$ Appendi& A of
NFPA20 gives an e&ample of set points for a multiple pump installation in section A$!;$2$) ";# "f# as
follows=
.>&amples of fire pump settings follow "for ,/ units, !psi ? 0$06@* bar#=
!$ Pump= !000gpm, !00psi pump with churn pressure of !!'psi
2$ ,uction supply= '0psi from city to minimum staticA 60psi from city to ma&imum static
3$ Bocey pump stop ? !!'psi C '0psi ? !6'psi
;$ Bocey pump start ? !6'psi to !0psi ? !''psi
'$ Fire pump stop ? !!'psi C '0psi ? !6'psi
6$ Fire pump start ? !''psi to 'psi ? !''psi
)$ Fire pump ma&imum churn ? !!'psi C 60psi ? !)'psi.
,tandby fire pumps should be set !0psi below the set points of the primary pump$ /t is
recommended to install a sequence start timer in multiple pump installations to ensure both pumps
don7t start at the same time creating a strain on the electrical supply$
FIRE PUMP TIPS
QUESTION: <hy is the direction of rotation important for horiDontal split(case pumpsE
ANSWER: 1oriDontal split(case pumps can be built for .left hand. and .right hand. rotation$ %he
reason for this is that the motor is located to the side of the pump "perpendicular to the piping#$
%he location of the motor constrains the design of the mechanical room piping and wall locations$ /f
a pump is supplied with the wrong rotation, the pump needs to be rebuilt to correct the problem$
For electric pumps, this is less of a problem, and a field rebuild can be performed$ %his is about a
day7s wor for two service mechanics$ For diesel pumps, this becomes a big difficulty as there are
no FG:F2 listed .left hand rotation. diesel engines available on the maret$ /n the past this was not
the case as 3 and 6 cylinder Hetroit Hiesel engines could be supplied with either rotation$ %hese
engines no longer meet North American emissions standards, and have been discontinued by the
manufacturer$
Iertical in(line and end suction pumps eliminate the problem of rotation since the driver is mounted
in line with the piping$
NEW FROM ARMSTRONG
-hec out Armstrong7s industry leading range of >nd ,uction Fire Pumps$ Available up to !'00gpm
ratings, the end suction pump reduces cost, saves space, and allows design fle&ibility for the pump
room$