Fire Pump - (695.6 Power Wiring)

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jtrezon

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Art. 695.6 - Power Wiring

Could anyone help me confirm if Art. 695.6 requirements for power wiring (specifically 695.6(A)(2)d where routed inside the building) apply for BOTH a primary feeder from a utility source and an "Optional" standby generator source? The 2hr. fire rating would be rather easy for the utility source, but difficult for the standby generator feeder. I see an exception to (A)(2)d where the supply conductors for the utility originate within the electrical / pump room, however this is obviously not the case for the standby generator.

From what I can tell....the "optional" source would still be required to meet the same requirements as the utility source.

Thanks in advance,
 
Please seek a more learned opinion, but it would seem to me that the exception to 685.6(A) {'08} would allow them to be run without the 2 hr protection if there were multiple supplies and you were not on the load side of a transfer switch.

I took my own advice and talked with some other inspectors, the result being that the Exception only applies to Service and your generator conduit would need 2 hr protection in their opinion. This is reportedly clarified in the '11 Code.
 
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augie47 said:
Please seek a more learned opinion, but it would seem to me that the exception to 685.6(A) {'08} would allow them to be run without the 2 hr protection if there were multiple supplies and you were not on the load side of a transfer switch.

I took my own advice and talked with some other inspectors, the result being that the Exception only applies to Service and your generator conduit would need 2 hr protection in their opinion. This is reportedly clarified in the '11 Code.
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It appears the '11 code clarifies the difference between a "service" and "feeder", but groups both under the heading "supply conductors". I my case, i do have short circuit protection on the utility side so both of these sources would be considered a "feeder". I think I could make the argument that the exception to 695(A)(2)(d) {'11} could be applied to both feeders since they are inside a sprinkled basement / electrical / pump room with concrete construction. I appreciate your insight.....thanks,
 
It appears lfnc is allowed so if the flex is suitable for in the earth then it may be fine as long as all connections are approved means.

695.6(D) Pump Wiring. All wiring from the controllers to the
pump motors shall be in rigid metal conduit, intermediate
metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, liquidtight flexible
metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit,
listed Type MC cable with an impervious covering, or Type MI
cable. Electrical connections at motor terminal boxes shall be
made with a listed means of connection. Twist-on, insulationpiercing–
type, and soldered wire connectors shall not be
permitted to be used for this purpose.
Click to expand...
 
Dennis Alwon said:
It appears lfnc is allowed so if the flex is suitable for in the earth then it may be fine as long as all connections are approved means.
Click to expand...
In short, once you're inside the pump room, or still in the electrical room, standard wiring methods, as specified, are OK. It's going from point "A" to point "B" that's the challenge. If you can run the service and emergency conductors on the outside of the building and then punch into the fire pump room, that would be the best option.
 
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