Application & Reference Data
Fire Pump Types, Services and Accessories
GENERAL
Fairbanks Morse fire pumps, horizontal split case, vertical
in-Iine and vertical turbine designs, are specifically
manufactured to meet the strict listing and approval testing
requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, Underwriters
Laboratories of Canada and Factory Mutual. The
following describes the various types of fire pump
services, requirementsllimitations that must be satisfied,
and the accessories (drivers, controls and fiUings) that
must be supplied.
HORIZONTAL SPLlT CASE ANO IN-UNE
SERVICE PUMPS
Horizontal split case and in-line fire pumps are used only
when the water supply provides positive pressure to the
pump suction (including secondary f10w rate) (e.g. ground
storage tank, elevated tank, or a city water main, etc.). A
f10w test is first performed to determine if the water supply
provides sufficient flow to satisfy the requirement, to
measure the residual pressure at that rate of flow, and to
determine the NPSH(A). The fire pump is selected based
on the sprinkler designer's calculated requirements for
rate of f10w (GPM) and pressure (PSI). The criteria which
the sprinkler designer uses to determine the required rate
of f10w includes the number of fire hoses, the number of
sprinklers, the required sprinkler density, the number of
standpipes or risers in the building to be protected, and
the area (in square feet) of the protected property. The
criteria which the sprinkler designer uses to determine the
required pressure includes sta tic head required to deliver
water to the highest elevation, pressure requirements at
the sprinkler heads, calculated friction head losses in the
piping, and residual suction pressure available to the
pump.
NFPA #20 specifies that the performance curve of
horizontal split case and in-line fire pumps meet the rated
primary design point and meet or exceed the secondary
point, which is a minimum of 150% of rated capacity at not
less than 65% of rated head. The maximum head (shut-
off or churn head) shall not exceed 140% of the rated
head.
NFPA #20 specifies that horizontal split case and in-Iine
fire pumps shall not be applied where a static suction lift is
involved. If the pump suction source of fire water is a city
water main, the residual pressure should be not less than
10 to 20 PSI at the 150% capacity rating in order to avoid
contamination of the drinking water.
VERTICAL TURBINE SERVICE PUMPS
A vertical turbine fire pump is used when the source of the
water is a body of water which is below grade (e.g. lake,
river, pond, aquifer, etc.). The fire pump is selected based
on the sprinkler designer's calculated requirements for
rate of f10w (GPM) and pressure (PSI). The criteria which
the sprinkler designer uses to determine the required rate
Fairbanks Morse Pump
SECTION 200
015
of f10w includes the number of fire hoses, the number of
sprinklers, the required sprinkler density, the number of
standpipes or risers in the building to be protected, and
the area (in square feet) of the protected property. The
criteria which the sprinkler designer uses to determine the
required pressure includes static head required to deliver
water to the highest elevation, pressure requirements at
the sprinkler heads, and calculated friction head losses in
the piping. In addition, the pump bowl assembly must be
selected to include the "Iift below" datum which is the
static head required to raise the water from the lowest
pumping water level to the center line of discharge.
NFPA #20 specifies that the performance curve of a
vertical turbine fire pump meet the rated primary design
point and meet or exceed the secondary point which is a
minimum of 150% of rated capacity at 65% of rated head.
The maximum head (shut-off or churn head) shall not
exceed 140% of the rated head.
Surface type discharge heads are recommended for ea se
of gauge reading and ease of access to the other required
piping equipment. However, NFPA #20 does not preclude
other types. Column section lengths shall not exceed 10
feet. Open line shaft may be used where the distance
from the pump head to the static water level does not
exceed 50 feet. In cases where this distance is greater
than 50 feet, enclosed line shaft is required. Fire pumps
shall not be installed in a well when the pumping water
level exceeds 200 feet from the surface of the ground
when pumping at 150% of rated capacity. A conical or
basket type strainer of non-ferrous material with a free
area of not less than 4 times the suction area is required.
For installations in sumps or pits, NFPA #20 requires that
the second impeller from the boUom of the bowl assembly
be below the lowest pumping water level in the open body
of water supplying the sump or pit. This assumes no
obstructions exist between the open body of water and the
sump. If an obstruction exists which reduces the water
level in the sump, the second impeller should be set below
the lowest sump water leve!. This submergence guide
outlines the minimum requirements. The pump
manufacturer's installation drawings should be consulted
to determine the actual submergence required which
provides sufficient NPSH(A) and vortex suppression in a
properly designed sump. For well installations, NFPA #20
requires that the second impeller from the bottom of the
bowl assembly be 10 feet below the pumping water level
at 150% of rated capacity. In all cases, the submergence
shall be increased one foot for each 1000 feet of elevation
above sea leve!.
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