Fire Pump Service and Reservoir Pump House

[SparkyEst.]

Does anyone have any experience with building a fire pump house with a reservoir pump system. Situation is this: customer wants to build a 200k sq. ft. warehouse/manufacturing facility in a rural area. They mount tires on rims and the storage is classified in category 4 for fire hazard. They are installing a fire pump house to feed the fire pump in the building. This house will contain a 250hp fire pump, 5hp jockey pump, and a 200hp reservoir pump. To determine the size I get that from the NEC, but the question I have is the reservoir pump and fire pump going to be considered one in the same being the the reservoir pump is going to pump water into the storage tank, which the will be pumped by the fire pump? Does this make sense? I am trying to figure out if I just need a small house panel for convenience, lights, jockey pump, and heat in there vs. sizing the panel services to feed the 200HP reservoir pump. I am a little vague on this situation as I have never encountered such thing.

 

[Jraef]

That's probably something a Fire Marshall would have to determine. For example, if there is a tank that the Fire Pump draws from that will contain enough water to provide X amount of time to fight a fire (I don't know what that would be) without having to rely upon the reservoir pump to keep up, then most likely the reservoir pump will not be considered a fire pump. But if not, then I would think it would because if the reservoir pump fails and the Fire Pump has nothing to pump, that would be a problem.

 

[gadfly56]

That's probably something a Fire Marshall would have to determine. For example, if there is a tank that the Fire Pump draws from that will contain enough water to provide X amount of time to fight a fire (I don't know what that would be) without having to rely upon the reservoir pump to keep up, then most likely the reservoir pump will not be considered a fire pump. But if not, then I would think it would because if the reservoir pump fails and the Fire Pump has nothing to pump, that would be a problem.

IIRC, a tank needs to support 30 minutes of the calculated flow, which I think is based on the most hydraulically remote area in the building. Typically based on something like 10 heads flowing.

 

[tom baker]

I maintained a fire pump system, 1500 gpm electric and diesel fire pump, ( I much prefer gravity) with 1.2 million gallons of storage. Typically a fire system engineer would lay out the fire system, determine GPM and pressure at the building, and how much storage. With that in hand they would size the fire pump (typically a pump/motor with controller, and a jockey pump). Then you will get the HP for the fire pump, and with that you can design the electrical system.
Fire pump systems are very different, as the fire pump is considered sacrificial in a fire, there is no overload protection, and typically no service disconnect, and a big red lever to overide the motor controller.
I would add the design of the water part is way outside your wheelhouse, you will have your hands full with the electrical. Fire pump systems are painted red, there is a huge liability if something is not right.

 

[Bluegrass Boy]

I would get with the AHJ and see what is required. I was in on an installation for a new construction warehouse 18 - 20 years ago. The main pump I believe was 200 HP. It seems like there were several pumps tied in to the Riser. It had a small Jockey pump, maybe less than 1HP. The main pump did have a disconnect, and if I remember correctly it was the type for the large cartridge fuses, but instead of fuses, buss plates were put in so that it would run without interruption, until literally burned up. I don’t recall there being a reservoir, it was located in an industrial park with citywide fire hydrants. They were also in a small building separate from the main building. I don’t remember if power was supplied from the switchgear inside the factory, or if it had a separate service just for that building. It was a long time ago, wish I could remember more.