Discharge water pump for a rural fire water storage tank questions.

N

newtonwb

Member
Location
La Porte, Texas
Occupation
Electrician - Retired 8/2022
We recently moved into a sub-divided ranch in Texas. The POA (property owners association) approved a project (in cooperation with the local volunteer fire department) to install a fire water storage tank. The tank was installed but the local electrical contractor was having trouble understanding the discharge pump wiring connections, so they left it disconnected (the pump was supplied by the local volunteer fire department). I have recently agreed to be utilized as an electrical resource, so they asked if I could look at it. The motor wiring was fairly straight forward, but I have some concerns about the motor feeder and branch circuit installation. The 240v feeder OCPD is a 2 pole 60A SquareD QO breaker. Feeder wire is #6 THWN-2 about 60' to a 60A 2 pole 10HP rated non-fused safety switch located near the motor. The motor is connected directly to the load side of the safety switch. The motor nameplate data = 10HP, 230V, 40 FLA, 1.15 SF.

The intended application of the tank/motor/pump is to have an interim location to fill fire trucks during emergencies. They'll back in a truck, connect a hose, and fill the truck via discharge motor/pump. We performed a test run today and it took about 10 minutes to fill the truck. The pump remained cool and the motor was warm to the touch. Running amps was 37.

Thoughts:
My NEC thinking is that a Size 2 motor starter with appropriate overloads should be installed.
My practical thinking is that this will work just fine for a little as they are going to use it AND if the are using it, then there's an emergency happening and it would be better to burn up the motor than have it trip on an overload (should an overload condition arise).

Questions:
Is this something common in rural areas?
What would you recommend?

Thanks!
-William
 
I have not done Fire Pumps and am marginally aware of the requirements.

At one time the small rural fire departments in our area had agreements with some area farmers to be able to utilize those pumps for water, if needed. They provided close to 1000 gpm or above with open discharge. Normal controls.

You need to read 695.6 Power Wiring to see if any of your existing wiring even begins to qualify for what is required or if you want to meet that expense by changing it.

Maybe two pumps with different feeders.

Do they have standby power? Generator?
 
ptonsparky said:
I have not done Fire Pumps and am marginally aware of the requirements.

At one time the small rural fire departments in our area had agreements with some area farmers to be able to utilize those pumps for water, if needed. They provided close to 1000 gpm or above with open discharge. Normal controls.

You need to read 695.6 Power Wiring to see if any of your existing wiring even begins to qualify for what is required or if you want to meet that expense by changing it.

Maybe two pumps with different feeders.

Do they have standby power? Generator?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, I did check out 695.6, but I'm not sure that this applies to this application, that's why I'm leaning toward adding a motor starter with overloads.

The volunteer fire department has a similar set-up at the local fire station and they have a starter with overloads.

Here's a photo of the tank, motor/pump, and safety switch...

There is a utility pole with a transformer and 125A main breaker panel with a 2 pole 60 that feeds this.
 

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ptonsparky said:
I have not done Fire Pumps and am marginally aware of the requirements.

At one time the small rural fire departments in our area had agreements with some area farmers to be able to utilize those pumps for water, if needed. They provided close to 1000 gpm or above with open discharge. Normal controls.

You need to read 695.6 Power Wiring to see if any of your existing wiring even begins to qualify for what is required or if you want to meet that expense by changing it.

Maybe two pumps with different feeders.

Do they have standby power? Generator?
Click to expand...
This doesn't really qualify as a fire pump, so whatever additional requirements that would bring to the table do not apply here. Aren't there county or state fire resources you could tap for advice?
 
gadfly56 said:
This doesn't really qualify as a fire pump, so whatever additional requirements that would bring to the table do not apply here. Aren't there county or state fire resources you could tap for advice?
Click to expand...
Yes, the volunteer fire department has a similar set-up at the local fire station and they have a starter with overloads, so, I'm leaning towards purchasing and installing a starter. Thanks.
 
Considering its use for emergency I would bet our AHJ would allow it to be protected only by the breaker providing GFSC protection. Also the 60 Amp breaker may well prove too small for the application
 
augie47 said:
Considering its use for emergency I would bet our AHJ would allow it to be protected only by the breaker providing GFSC protection. Also the 60 Amp breaker may well prove too small for the application
Click to expand...
But it’s not listed as a “fire pump”, so I don’t think it would qualify as an emergency pump. Just a plain ol’ transfer pump.
 
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