fire pump on backup generators

[gunnysgt68]

I have a 210,000 sqft building going in with a use group F1. The Electrical Engineer is asking me if the fire pump needs to be on emergency generator with the emergency lighting. I can't find anything in any codes requiring this. Any thoughts from any one? Thanks

 

[david]

Check your areas building code from the international building code 2009

[F] 405.8 Standby power.Astandby power system complying
with Chapter 27 shall be provided standby power loads specified
in Section 405.8.1.
[F] 405.8.1 Standby power loads. The following loads are
classified as standby power loads:
1. Smoke control system.
2. Ventilation and automatic fire detection equipment
for smokeproof enclosures.
3. Fire pumps.
Standby power shall be provided for elevators in accordance
with Section 3003.
[F] 405.8.2 Pick-up time. The standby power system shall
pick up its connected loads within 60 seconds of failure of
the normal power supply.

 

[Paul the BIG Finn]

Fire Pump as Stand-by load

Fire Pump as Stand-by load

Do you interrupter this to mean in a generator distribution switchboard that contains a separate horizontal sections for the emergency and stand-by loads a third horizontal section for a fire pump is not required?

 

[RICK NAPIER]

Unless the building he is discussing is an underground building as described below then 405.8 would not apply.

405.1 General.
The provisions of Sections 405.2 through 405.10 apply to building spaces having a floor level used for human occupancy more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the finished floor of the lowest level of exit discharge.

 

[RICK NAPIER]

In 2013 NFPA 20 article 9.1.3 one alternate source of power shall be provided where the height of the structure is beyond the pumping capacity of the fire department apparatus.

 

[iwire]

In 2013 NFPA 20 article 9.1.3 one alternate source of power shall be provided where the height of the structure is beyond the pumping capacity of the fire department apparatus.

Interesting as it seems here there is always a back up for a fire pump even in one story structures such as Lowes, Home Depot etc.

Maybe it is an insurance company requiment.

 

[david]

Unless the building he is discussing is an underground building as described below then 405.8 would not apply.

405.1 General.
The provisions of Sections 405.2 through 405.10 apply to building spaces having a floor level used for human occupancy more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the finished floor of the lowest level of exit discharge.

That?s what happens when you do a quick search of a document. I?m not the building inspector. My point was check with the building inspector to see what the requirements for emergency power are. For fire pumps.

The building is F1 210,000 sq. feet. The question seems to be does the fire pump need to backed up with stand by power.

The building is most likely divided into fire areas. The water suppression system is most likely a requirement. The op says there is emergency power (generator)
When our building inspectors gets back into the office I?ll ask him

 

[david]

Building Inspector said NFPA 13, pretty much any building where a fire pump would be required would also be required to have standby power for the pump

 

[gadfly56]

Building Inspector said NFPA 13, pretty much any building where a fire pump would be required would also be required to have standby power for the pump

Hmmmm, not in NJ. We have plenty of customers who have single-source electrically driven fire pumps.

 

[ron]

I happen to just be doing code research for an R-2 occupancy >75' tall (high rise) and I will be providing a generator for the fire pump.
403.4.9.1 Emergency power loads.
The following are classified as emergency power loads:1. Exit signs and means of egress illumination required by Chapter 10;2. Elevator car lighting;3. Emergency voice/alarm communications systems;4. Automatic fire detection systems;5. Fire alarm systems; and6. Electrically powered fire pumps.

If this building were in NYC, their Building code allows me to just tap ahead of the main in Section 403.4.8.2 of their amended code http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/apps/pd...tailed_Requirements.pdf&section=conscode_2014

Point is, you have to check the code.