How to design safe, reliable fire pump power service

The codes that govern the power supply to the fire pump, as well as conversations
with the local authority having jurisdiction, determine the best solution for a
buildings fire pump power system design.
Sarah Kuchera, PE, LEED AP, ccrd + WSP, Dallas

03/24/2016

Learning objectives:
Illustrate the basic design of fire pumps and their power systems.
Examine the codes and standards that dictate fire pump power system
design.
Explain best practices by reviewing example designs.

As with all life

safety systems, maintaining power to the key elements of a building in the
event of an emergency is vital to the safety of the building and its occupants.
For buildings that do not have an adequate supply pressure from the incoming
water source, the fire pump is critical in that protection. Consideration of the
power supply to the fire pump and its accessories is based on an evaluation of
the codes that govern its installation as well as conversations with the local
authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine the best solution for the
building's particular design.
In the event of a fire, it is not unusual for first responders to disconnect the
main power supply to the building, especially if there is a risk that the source
of the fire may be from the electrical system. It is important that the AHJ and
the building operator have a clear understanding of how the fire protection
system is powered so that the power supply to the fire pump is not
inadvertently disconnected. With proper understanding of the codes and good
design practice, engineers can ensure the design will provide a reliable source
of power for a building's fire protection systems.
Fire pump intent

The fire pump plays a critical role in providing for a safe environment, and how
it is powered is an important consideration of the design. A reliable source,

backup power supply, protected feeders, and properly sized overcurrent

protection are the keys to a successful installation.
Keeping the fire pump operational throughout the entire emergency event is
the most important goal of each design. This is even more important than
protecting the equipment from harm. If the fire pump fails to perform its
intended duty, the building and its occupants will be at great risk.
Codes that apply
Multiple codes apply when it comes to powering fire pumps. Two are primary
references: NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 695 (fire pumps),
and NFPA 20: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire
Protection. The NEC has responsibility for the electrical installation of these
systems whereas NFPA 20 holds responsibility for the performance of the
system. Other articles of the NEC and other NFPA sections offer guidance on
emergency power systems and building requirements for fire protections
systems.
A reliable power source is necessary for proper fire pump installation. The
reliability of a utility service feed for a fire pump will be determined by the local
AHJ. Also, depending on the type of building, occupancy type, and the
building operator, the method for serving the power to the fire protection
systems should be considered as a part of their overall fire-response plan.
As defined by NFPA 20, the following items should be considered to
determine if the source is reliable:
The source power plant has not been shut down for more than 4
continuous hours within the past year.
There have been no routine power outages in the area that have
occurred within the past year.
The building cannot be served by an overhead utility line. The overhead
service line will become a risk because fire department personnel will
not work around energized lines. If this overhead line is the source of
power, it will become disconnected while fighting the fire and render the
fire pump inoperable.
If the utility source is determined to be unreliable, then multiple sources will be
needed for the installation.

Single-source power
A single power-supply source for a fire pump can be provided from either a
reliable utility supply or from onsite power production. The important
consideration for a single supply service is that the incoming supply power is
not interrupted. Therefore, special consideration should be given to how the
service enters into the fire pump controller and what disconnecting means are
located upstream from the pump.
If a utility power connection is used, there are two methods that can provide
power to the fire pump:
1. The first method is a direct connection from the utility source where a power
feed is brought straight from the utility into the fire pump controller with no
interruptions. This feed is then treated as a service entrance and needs to
meet all of the code-required functions as defined by NEC Article 230
(services).
2. The second method is a tap ahead of the service main disconnecting
means. When using this method, the following items should be considered.
The service feeders shall terminate in a dedicated cabinet or vertical
switchboard section located ahead of and not within the same cabinet
as the disconnecting means.
The service feeder shall be in a location separate from the fire pump so
as to minimize the risk of damage to the fire pump in the event of a fire
at the main service area.
If onsite power production is available to the building, it can be considered as
a service to the fire pump if it is deemed reliable and meets the fire protection
requirements as outlined in NFPA 850: Recommended Practice for Fire
Protection for Electric Generating Plants and High Voltage Direct Current
Converter Stations.
With a single source of power to the pump, if the source that is providing
power to the building fails, then a fire watch or other approved procedure
needs to be put in place to verify that the building and its occupants are not
put into harm's way.

Multiple sources of power

When the single supply source is deemed unreliable, you then need to
provide multiple supply sources. The NEC allows for several options for this
type of supply:
Combine two individual sources. If the site has access to two utility
feeds from different substations, this may be an acceptable method. The
local AHJ would need to determine if the combination of these two
services would then be considered reliable.
Another option is to have a backup engine- or steam-driven fire pump.
Most commonly, the second source is an onsite generator to supply the
secondary source of power to the fire pump.
Generator service
Whereas a primary supply source is arranged to allow for the fire pump to run
under any adverse situation, this is not the case with the supply source from
the generator. When a generator provides the secondary supply source to the
fire pump, it is important to arrange the connection to the fire pump so that
any fault or malfunction of the pump does not interrupt service from the
emergency generator to the other life safety loads within the building. The
code does not require that the generator is able to carry the locked-rotor
current indefinitely, as is the case with the primary source. If a fault would
occur at the fire pump, it could take out the generator and lose other life safety
functions like lighting.
When designing the generator service to the fire pump, the following items
should be considered:
The size of the generator shall be capable of carrying the normal
starting and operation of the fire pump, jockey pump, and other
accessory loads. The generator is able to automatically shed
nonessential loads to make room for the fire pump capacity.
If the fire pump is the majority of the load on the generator, the designer
should review the generator characteristics so that it can support the
starting of the pump.

 A variable frequency drive (VFD) can be provided on the fire pump as a

tool to regulate different incoming water pressures (for example, pulling
from a tank and a city supply line). The size of the generator should still
be able to account for full start-up of the fire pump in the event the VFD
goes into bypass.
When providing the secondary supply from the generator, you may have
a disconnecting means located ahead of the fire pump. This is in place
to automatically disconnect the fire pump if an adverse condition would
jeopardize the emergency power system.
The arrangement of equipment and feeders should be oriented such
that a fire at one source would not impact the other source.
A transfer switch listed for fire pump service shall be provided and
located in the same room as the fire pump.
Overcurrent protection and disconnecting means
The best method for delivering a primary power supply source to a fire pump
is by direct connection to the power source. With a utility transformer serving
the building, a direct connection from that transformer with no disconnecting
means will provide a high level of reliability and minimize the potential for
inadvertent disconnection of the supply feeder. If a disconnecting means is
needed, the following should be considered:
Overcurrent protection shall be sized to carry the pump's locked-rotor
current indefinitely. This is different than sizing characteristics for
another type of pump and will result in a much larger breaker rating.
The disconnecting means shall be supervised to alert personnel if the
device is opened.
Overcurrent protection is provided as a part of a listed assembly for fire
pump service.
The disconnecting means for the fire pump should be clearly identified to
prevent the inadvertent disconnecting of that supply source. It should also be
located separately so that in the event of a fire, multiple supply sources are
not disabled, rendering the fire pump inoperable.

Again, it is important to note that the code does allow for overcurrent
protection on the emergency power feed and it does not require that it be
sized for locked-rotor current.
Wiring methods
It is important for the electrical engineer to design the feeder system delivering
that power to be protected against harm or damage. Keep in mind: If the fire
pump is operating, there is most likely a fire within the building. Thus,
protecting the feeder from harm by the fire is important to ensure the building
does not lose power to the pump that is protecting it and its occupants.
The method of protection is similar to that spelled out in NEC Article 230
(services), which requires a feeder to be routed outside of the building or to
provide an equivalency of protection against harm. This can be accomplished
through concrete encasement or a protected system with a minimum of 2-hour
fire protection. It also is important to segregate the power wiring that serves
the fire pump and its accessories from other loads so a failure in another
feeder would not induce harm to the fire pump feed.
The sizing criteria for the feeder supplying the fire pump are provided by NEC
Article 695 (fire pumps), which indicates that the minimum size is 125% of the
sum of the full-load amps of the fire pump and pressure maintenance pumps
plus 100% of the remaining accessory equipment. Installation, voltage drop,
and other derating factors should be considered when determining the final
selected wire size.
Grounding
Grounding for the fire pump feed is dependent upon what method of
connection is used. If the system is designed with a single source and the
power is essentially being treated as a service, include a grounding electrode
conductor as sized per NEC Table 250.66 and based upon the size of the
incoming ungrounded conductor. If there is a secondary source, like a feed
from a generator, this is treated like a feeder; provide an equipment-grounding
conductor sized per NEC Table 250.122.
The fire pump power feed is a critical item to consider as a part of the overall
design. Consideration for this should be done when determining the systems
that will be used to serve the normal and emergency power supply to the
building. Engaging the local AHJ as well as the building operator in the key

design decisions is important to ensure a safe and operable fire protection

system for the building.

Sarah Kuchera is senior vice president and electrical engineer at ccrd + WSP.
Her duties have included project management, production coordination, and
project engineering on a variety of different projects including hospital, retail,
hospitality, and office buildings.

Electrical fire pump with emergency generator

In this case study, an onsite generator must provide the secondary source of power
for the fire pump.
Sarah Kuchera, PE, LEED AP, ccrd + WSP, Dallas

03/24/2016

The building's normal power service is supplied from a pad-mounted utility

transformer that is fed by a singular utility substation. The authority having
jurisdiction has deemed that the single utility service is not considered a
reliable source, so it cannot be the only supply source for the fire pump. An
onsite generator must provide the secondary source of power for the fire
pump. The service to the fire pump will need to meet the requirements as
defined by NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) 695.3(B)(2) for service
from an individual source and onsite standby generator.

The primary supply to the fire pump controller will come directly from a
connection at the utility transformer. This was coordinated with the utility
company; most will allow for this separate connection to be tapped at the
transformer. This meets the requirement for continuity of power as defined by
NEC 695.4(A) (direct connection). The feeder from the switchgear to the fire
pump controller (located in a different area) will be routed below the building
floor slab so that it is considered outside the building per NEC 230.6(1).
The second source for the fire pump will come from the emergency power
system for the building. The building's generator system will be sized to
handle the starting and normal operating load of the fire pump as defined by
NED 695.3(D)(1). A circuit breaker, sized to accommodate normal start-up of
the pump, will be located in the emergency distribution board. The second
feeder will route overhead to the fire pump controller and be encased in a
minimum of 2-in. concrete.

Safe installation of electrically powered fire pumps

Electrically powered fire pumps must meet many strict codes, such as those set by
FM, IRI, NEC, and NFPA. Understanding the most current requirements of each code
is critical for correct installation and operation.
RTM Engineering

04/25/2016

Fire protection
systems are among the most essential components of any building's
infrastructure. They safeguard both lives and property, so they must be
expertly designed and installed for optimum performance.

A standard fire protection system draws from either a public water supply or
another water source (such as a reservoir or tank) and connects to sprinklers
or standpipes to release water in case of a fire. The fire pumpwhich is often
electrically powered but can also use a diesel engineprovides the sprinklers
with water at high enough pressure to meet the system's needs.
Important factors in electrical fire pump installation
Electrically powered fire pumps must meet many strict codes, such as those
set by FM, IRI, NEC, and NFPA. Understanding the most current requirements
of each code is critical for correct installation and operation.

NFPA 20: Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection (most recently
updated in 2013) outlines standards for fire pumps that ensure systems will
deliver water reliably during an emergency. NFPA 20 requires that fire pumps
have one or more dependable power sources; a reliable source complies with
these stipulations:
Hasn't had any power outages for more than 4 hours in the last year
Hasn't had any shutdowns not caused by grid-management failure or
natural disasters
Hasn't been supplied by overhead conductors.
Some other requirements for installing an electrical fire pump according to
code include:

 The location and accessibility of the fire-pump room must be preplanned

with the fire department.
For pump rooms that aren't accessible from the exterior of the building,
there must be an enclosed passageway from an enclosed stairway or
exterior exit door leading to the pump room. The passageway must
have the same fire-resistance rating as the pump room.
The fire pump must be designed to minimize uneven or turbulent water
flow, which can inhibit proper pump operation. For example, it's
necessary to install an anti-vortex plate in the pump to cut down on the
air that enters into the suction piping and increase the incidence of
turbulent flow. And to decrease turbulence at the suction flange, the size
of suction pipe used should be based on a maximum flow velocity of 15
ft/second at 150% of the pump's capacity.
For certain high-rise buildings, additional fire protection system features
are obligatory, such as water-tank and fire-pump redundancy.
During acceptance testing, the fire-pump equipment must be able to
operate for at least 1 hour.