Fire Pump

[chester7477]

The code says to feed a fire pump from a reliable source(695.3)- like directly from the secondary side of the utility transformer. It also says that the pump shall continue to operate until the fire is extinguished, the fire pump is purposely shut down, or the pump itself is destroyed. The thing that I am questioning is that in case of a fire the first thing the fire dept will do is have the power co. pull the primary fuses on the transformers killing the power to the building, including the fire pump.

Does the fire pump need its own transformer?(not to be disconnected in case of a fire) or standby generator?

Does the fire pump need a disconnect with overcurrent protection?
(it has a breaker in the pump controller)

 

[bob]

The fire Pump is installed to feed the sprinkler system inside the building.
Hopefully it will do the job until the fire dept arrives.

 

[ramdiesel3500]

The fire pump controller should (and likely is) service entrance rated so that it can be fed directly from the utility transformer. The fire department knows (or should know) that when they kill the transformer they also kill the fire pump. At that point, they are in control of the situation and can make the decision as to whether to stop fire suppression or not. If you have a generator for the building, it is a good idea to have a fire pump with its own transfer switch in the controller, but to my knowledge, it is not required by NEC.

 

[pete m.]

I think the situation that you describe is the reason that the NEC requires a "reliable source". This will need to be dtermined by the AHJ.

Pete

 

[McDowellb]

The area in California I work in, the utility labels the secondary conductors to the fire pump. I'm not sure about the primary. Also, the fire department in this jurisdiction requires that these systems be monitored. That makes the fire department aware that there is a fire pump and not to interrupt power. they will with or without a fire pump shut off the main to the regular building service at the service.