695.4A Direct Connection to Fire Pump

[cvirgil467]

Re-reading section 695.4A for the 100th time and I have come to the conclusion that it allows a direct service connection to the fire pump controller without any overcurrent protection or disconnecting means within the fire pump controller or anywhere else. I checked the definition of fire pump controller in NFPA 20 and nowhere does it state for the controller to come equipped with OCPD or disconnect. Also NFPA 20 9.2.3 states no more than one disconnecting means is allowed in the supply circuit to the fire pump controller. NFPA 20 9.2.3 isn't stating an OCPD or disconnect switch is required; just that if you do install one, you can only have one.

Need a sanity check. Thoughts?

Also, I have noticed the OCPD integral with fire pump controllers are not rated for the locked rotor amps butt are typically sized for 125% for FLA. How are they allowed to size for 125% and not 600% (or LRA)?

Thanks.

 

[charlie b]

I think you still need to comply with the article 430 rules about having a disconnecting means (not necessarily with overcurrent protection) for a controller and for a motor. So a connection to the transformer secondary terminals that is run to the controller, with a disconnecting means included with the controller, is allowable.

 

[gadfly56]

I think you still need to comply with the article 430 rules about having a disconnecting means (not necessarily with overcurrent protection) for a controller and for a motor. So a connection to the transformer secondary terminals that is run to the controller, with a disconnecting means included with the controller, is allowable.

Modern fire pump controllers are listed for service disconnecting. If all you had was a tap at the service entrance running to the fire pump controller you would be fine. The rules require you to treat the fire pump feeders as a service so that's why the controller is listed this way.

 

[cvirgil467]

Thanks for the replies. But I am still confused.

I can see falling back to 430 for local disconnecting means and disconnects. I would think tho 694.4 would have a reference back to 430 to make it clear.

I am confused on how does the integral OCPD and switch with the fire pump controller get to size the OCPD for 125% of FLA rather than LRA? I have seen this occur several times on controllers with integral OCPD and the OCPD is not sized for the LRA for the normal power source.

Thanks.
c

 

[gadfly56]

Thanks for the replies. But I am still confused.

I can see falling back to 430 for local disconnecting means and disconnects. I would think tho 694.4 would have a reference back to 430 to make it clear.

I am confused on how does the integral OCPD and switch with the fire pump controller get to size the OCPD for 125% of FLA rather than LRA? I have seen this occur several times on controllers with integral OCPD and the OCPD is not sized for the LRA for the normal power source.

Thanks.
c

Lots of AHJ's get confused on this apparent discrepancy also. All I can say is that's the way the NFPA 70 and NFPA 20 are written. I recall an in-house training session at my last job where a fire pump manufacturer went over this. They had a standard fact sheet all printed up that they'd fax to AHJ's explaining that no, the OCPD in the controller doesn't have to be rated to the LRC of the pump and citing the sections in NFPA 20.

 

[RB1]

The characteristics of the overcurrent protection provided as an integral part of the fire pump controller are described in Section 10.4.4.3.1 of NFPA 20 - 2013. Basically it is an instantaneous only type circuit breaker provided as part of a listed fire pump controller and provides short-circuit protection only. The fire pump controller must have an isolating switch, overcurrent protection, and must be suitable for use as service equipment.