NFPA 20 Recommendations for Fire Fighting Pumps

During the Routine inspection of Fire fighting Pumps , and to comply with NFPA 20 :
Standard for the installation of stationary pumps for fire protection , some works should
be done :

1. Header Test ( Flow Test ) :

As Per NFPA 20 , Parag 4.22 ( water flow test Devices) : “where multiple pumps are
installed , it shall be permitted to manifold the fire pumps test discharge piping to a
common flow measuring devise and discharge”

Prepared By : Field Engineer

 NFPA 20 Recommendations for Fire Fighting Pumps

Butterfly
control valve

Butterfly
Control valve FLOWMETER

Butterfly Butterfly
FLOWMETER CV
CV
JP – PBA 140

ABJ-001
Header pumps discharge

EP – PBA120-A Water Tank discharge

ABJ -002
EP– PBA 120-B

DP – PBQ 110
ABJ-003

Flow test Architecture

Prepared By : Field Engineer

NFPA 20 Recommendations for Fire Fighting Pumps
Notes:
- All the test Devices shall be UL listed.
- The minimum Size of the Flow test devices should be as per NFPA 20 , Table 5.25
(b) :Summary of centrifugal Fire Pumps Data. ( in our case, the flowmeter and the
two butterfly valves should be a minimum size of 5 inch).

- During the installation of the Flow test Device , we need to take in consideration
the required distance between the devices as below :

Butterfly CV Flowmeter Butterfly CV

5 *D 2*D

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NFPA 20 Recommendations for Fire Fighting Pumps
2- Equipment Protection:

As Per NFPA 20. Parag 4.14 : Equipment Protection

• Ventilation: Provision shall be made for ventilation of a pump room or pump

house.
• Emergency Lighting:

- Pump room shall be provided with emergency lighting

- The emergency lighting shall be capable of maintaining the lighting level for
a minimum of 2 hours.

• Drainage: Floors shall be pitched for adequate drainage of escaping water

away from critical equipment such as the pump driver , controller …

• Protection From Fire :

Fire pump building or rooms enclosing diesel engine pump drivers shall be
protected with an automatic sprinkler system to be installed in accordance with
NFPA 13.

Prepared By : Field Engineer

NFPA 20 Recommendations for Fire Fighting Pumps

3. Cladding for Diesel Engine Exhaust Line :

Diesel engine Exhaust Line Cladding

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NFPA 20 Recommendations for Fire Fighting Pumps

4. Pressure Actuated Controller Pressure Sensing Lines :

The pressure sensing line intended to the control the starting of the pump motor and the
running cycle of the fire pump.
As Per NFPA 20 , Parag : 4.32 : for all pumps installation, including jockey pumps, each
controller shall have its own individual pressure sensing line.
The pressure sensing line shall be brass , rigid cooper pipe or series 300 stainless steel
pipe or tube , and fittings shall be ½ “ (15 mm) nominal size.

Prepared By : Field Engineer