New service serving only a fire pump
- Thread starter lfloyd
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A good place to start would be to read Art 695
Yes. but there's a lot more to it. Again, Art 695
Almost all, if not all, fire pump controllers are service rated.
iceworm
Curmudgeon still using printed IEEE Color Books
- Location
- North of the 65 parallel
- Occupation
- EE (Field - as little design as possible)
Augie -
where does the code say a fire pump has to be connected ahead of the service disconnecting means?
Every thing I read says "permitted" to be installed ahead" of the service. It doesn't say "shall be installed ahead".
ice
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
It may be in one of the fire codes, not the NEC. There are a lot of generator requirements for fire pumps that are not in the NEC.
The way I read that (695.3) and the way I have seen it interpreted is "permitted to be (a) a separate service or (b) ahead of the regular service" an either or situation.
iceworm
Curmudgeon still using printed IEEE Color Books
- Location
- North of the 65 parallel
- Occupation
- EE (Field - as little design as possible)
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
The whole idea is that turning off the service supplying the rest of the building will not interrupt the fire pump, so that means either a separate service must supply the fire pump, or it can be tied to a common service but ahead of the disconnecting means for the rest of the building.
Last thing you want is for the fire department to show up, and turn off the power and find out it also shut off the fire pump. This is also why fire pump disconnect is not to be located in same location as any other allowable service disconnects
Last thing you want is for the fire department to show up, and turn off the power and find out it also shut off the fire pump. This is also why fire pump disconnect is not to be located in same location as any other allowable service disconnects
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- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
You can have a service disconnecting means but it must be rated to carry locked rotor current. The Art 695 rules have some unique requirements, EG service conductors inside the pump room have to encased in 2" of concrete.
I had to rebuild a fire pump service for a 100 HP fire pump. The service disconnect would have been 800 amperes!
I had to rebuild a fire pump service for a 100 HP fire pump. The service disconnect would have been 800 amperes!
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
I was in Maryland a week ago, and I think their a little confused on the requirements, they had a main disconnect on the outside of the building, with a big sign telling firefighters that turning off the main also turns off the fire pump!:roll:
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