UL/FM Fire Pump Systems

Lunch & Learn

04/18/05

Rules & Regulations

NFPA

National Fire Protection Association

(North America)

CEA

Comit Europen Des Assurances

(European)

Fire Protection Pumps

End Suction Pumps

Vertical In-line
Horizontal Split Case
Vertical Mounted Split Case
Vertical Turbine

Compliance to NFPA 20
100% Flow at 100%
Head
Maximum of 140%
of Head at Shutoff
Minimum of 65% of
Head at 150% of
Flow

Maximum Allowed Pressure

The pump shutoff pressure plus the maximum
static suction pressure shall not exceed the
pressure for which the system components are
rated for.
Pressure relief valves shall not be used as a
means to meet this requirement.
Variable speed pressure limiting control drivers
are acceptable in meeting this requirement (new
in NFPA 2003).

Fire Pump Drivers

Electric Motors
Diesel Engines
Steam Turbines
Combination of the above

Fire Pump Accessories

Suction pressure/vacuum gauge.

Discharge pressure gauge.
Automatic air release valve
Casing relief valve (electric driven)
Main pressure relief valve (diesel driven
and VFD applications)

Suction Pipe & Fittings

Suction can be either from a city water supply or
a fire water storage tank.
Suction shall be sized so that at 150% of rated
capacity the velocity in the suction pipe located
10 pipe diameters upstream of the pump suction
flange shall not exceed 15 ft/sec.
Concentric reducers are not allowed in the
suction piping.
UL/FM OS&Y gate valve only.

Discharge Pipe & Fittings

Relief Valves
Used on Diesel Engines
Used with Variable speed pressure limiting
control devices
Spring direct acting or pilot operated.
Relief discharges to an open or closed
waste cone.
Discharges to suction source or splash
block

Test Meters
Where water usage or discharge is not permitted
for the duration of the test.
Installed with upstream and downstream pipe
runs per meter manufacturer.
Where meter downstream run goes back to
suction side of pump proper pipe runs must be
followed per NFPA-20.
A throttling valve shall be installed downstream
of the flow meter.

Hose Valve Test Header

Hose test valves are rated for 250 GPM.
Hose valves shall be mounted on a test
head.
A UL/FM isolation valve shall be installed
upstream of the test head.
A Ball drip valve shall be installed if the
test head is mounted outside the building
to prevent freezing.

Specialty Valves & Accessories

Backflow Preventers
Suction Control Valves
Pressure Regulating Valves
Alarm Check Valves
Siemese Valves
Tamper Switches
Flow Switches

Pressure Sensing Lines

Electric Drive Pumps

Power derived by a reliable power source
or two or more approved independent
sources.
Second power source shall be from a
second utility or on-site power generation
Automatic Transfer switch to be used if
two or more power sources are used.

Electric Drive Starting Methods

Across The Line

Part Winding
Wye Delta (open)
Wye Delta (closed)
Primary Resistance
Auto Transformer
Solid State

Electric Driven Power Supply Arrangement

Diesel Engine Driven Accessories

Cooling System
Fuel system
Raw Water outlet Drain
Battery Racks
Exhaust System
Air Intake Louver for Engine Air Intake
(used with buildings)

Fuel System design

Pressure Maintenance Pumps

Rated for not less than normal leak load.
(normally 1% of rated fire flow and 10 psig
above rated boost pressure.
Discharge pressure shall be sufficient to
maintain desired system pressure.
Where the shutoff pressure is greater than the
pressure ratings of the system components a
relief valve shall be installed on the pump
discharge.

House Utilities (per NFPA-20)

Approved or listed source of heat
Artificial Lighting
Emergency lighting (including fixed and
portable).
Ventilation
Drainage
Convenience outlet