Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: Deadfrog, Location: Ontario Canada
Asked on: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 10:25 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:25 am EDT
Question: Hi guys, wondering anyone can help clarify a disagreement on a fire pump installation where we both interpret the code a little differently.Referring to NFPA 20 Chapter 9We are installing a fire pump in a 3 story building.There is no backup generator and none is required as they have been deemed to have reliable power and the building size is within the local fire dept. pumping capacities.The normal source of power though.... We interpret that we would need to pull off power before the main disconnect to the building (and metering cabinet).Our client interprets the code a little differently, believing that they can pull power from a circuit directly off a power panel (which has a couple disconnects in line before it, ie. main disconnect switch and a disconnect switch for the panel).Thanks in advance to anyone who can clarify.Mike V, EIT
According to NFPA 20 Chapter 9, the normal source of power for a fire pump must be taken from a service ahead of and independent of all other services in the building. This means that the power source for the fire pump should be taken from a dedicated service that is not shared with any other equipment in the building, including the main disconnect and metering cabinet.The power panel that your client is referring to is likely a distribution panel that supplies power to various circuits in the building. This type of panel is not considered to be a dedicated service for the fire pump, as it is shared with other equipment in the building.Therefore, the correct interpretation of the code is that the power source for the fire pump should be taken from a dedicated service ahead of and independent of all other services in the building, including the power panel. Flag for review