Fire pumps are often required to supplement the necessary flows and pressures to fire protection systems; the need should be determined early in the design phase of a project. The fire protection engineer should evaluate the available water supply and perform preliminary calculations of the most demanding fire protection system to determine if a fire pump is necessary.

Fire pumps are typically employed within buildings or facilities where the flow and pressure available from the municipal water supply are insufficient to meet the demands of the fire protection systems. 

Once the determination is made that a fire pump is required, the placement and means of protection are critical to the success of the fire protection system. Given their critical function, fire pumps and associated equipment must be protected against various risk factors to ensure reliability during emergencies. 

This column aims to provide an overview of the fundamental requirements to consider during the planning and design phases of a fire pump room within a project. 

Nationally recognized codes and standards outline the basic requirements necessary for the protection of fire pumps and associated equipment. NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection and the International Building Code (IBC) outline specific requirements to protect fire pumps from damage, malfunction or failure, thereby enhancing overall fire protection system resilience. 

NFPA 20 and IBC meticulously examine the requirements based on location, sizing, equipment clearances and permissible versus prohibited items near fire pumps.

Understanding the various fire pump types, whether diesel engine or electric motor, along with pump arrangements such as vertical inline, horizontal split-case or vertical turbine pumps, is essential for designing effective fire suppression solutions. Each type of pump has its specific requirements for location, storage, clearances, ventilation and other compliance guidelines stated in NFPA 20. 

Fire Pump Driver Types

When planning and designing a fire pump room, it’s crucial to consider the reliability of power sources for the fire pump driver types and their associated requirements, as outlined in NFPA 20. Diesel pumps are equipped with diesel engines with fuel as the primary power source, rendering them dependable in regions with unreliable electricity or where backup power is not readily available. 

Diesel engine requirements encompass starting arrangements, engine driver performance, fuel storage and pump room specifications. It should be noted that while diesel pump drivers are widely used and permitted by NFPA 20, other fuels requiring spark-ignited internal combustion engines, such as gasoline or natural gas, are not permitted by NFPA 20. 

Electric motor fire pumps are typically supplied with power from the local utility. The power source must be considered reliable or a secondary source must be provided. While a reliable power source is not expressly defined in NFPA 20, the defining characteristics of a reliable power supply are outlined in the annex. Fire pumps powered by electricity are integrated into the facility’s electrical system using a main or emergency power connection. 

Fire Pump Types

Understanding fire pump room protection requirements is essential for effective planning and design, considering factors such as the type and orientation of fire pumps, such as vertical inline, horizontal split-case and vertical turbines. 

Vertical inline fire pumps include a vertical shaft and impeller arrangement. The vertical shaft is installed in line with the piping system. The orientation of these pumps can be suitable for areas with limited floor space. 

Horizontal split-case fire pumps provide convenient access to internal components for maintenance purposes. The horizontally split-casing type is often preferred for larger projects for its ability to handle high flow rates and its simple assembly, allowing easy access to internal components without requiring disassembly of the entire pump. 

Vertical turbine pumps find utility when the water source lies beneath the pump discharge flange centerline and the water pressure is inadequate for pumping. Common applications include wells, underground tanks or water reservoirs, making them well-suited for submerged use. Manufacturers provide minimum submersion guidelines for the suction equipment.

Fire pumps are typically located either indoors, within the facility they are protecting, or outdoors in a dedicated enclosure. When fire pumps are located indoors, the IBC requires that the “fire pump, driver and controller shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 20 against possible interruption of service through damage caused by explosion, fire, flood, earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism and other adverse conditions.” This affects the placement of the room within the building.

• Indoor fire pump rooms. These rooms are required to be enclosed with two-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. This is permitted to be reduced to one hour where the buildings are protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system designed in accordance with NFPA 13. 

The fire-resistance-rated construction allows the fire pump equipment to remain protected in case of an emergency, ensuring that the fire pump continues to operate uninterrupted. Uninterrupted operation of the fire pump is essential to ensure fire protection and life safety within the building are not compromised. 

Fire pump rooms must be free of storage, equipment and any penetrations not essential to the operation of the pump. This includes nonessential ductwork and other penetrations. Storage not essential to the operation of the pump has the potential to add to the combustibility of the space, rendering the fire pump inoperable in a fire condition. Only equipment related to domestic water distribution is permissible to be co-located within a fire pump room. 

The location and access to the fire pump room must be preplanned with the responding fire department. Although not required by the IBC or NFPA 20, fire pumps are typically located on the ground floor of a facility along an exterior wall as a best practice. Where the fire pump room is not located with direct access to the exterior, the pump room must be accessible through a fire-resistance-rated corridor, an enclosed stairway or an exit passageway. 

If a fire pump room is desired to be centrally located within a building, this required protected path could drastically affect the desired layout. Taking these factors into account during the planning and design of indoor fire pump rooms guarantees continuous operation of the fire pump during an emergency. 

• Outdoor fire pump enclosures. They must also be separated by two-hour fire-resistance-rated construction unless the enclosure is physically separated from the building, exposing the pump room/house by 50 feet. Since stand-alone fire pump enclosures are not attached to the building, special attention must be given to the conditioning and ventilation of the space to prevent freezing and avoid corrosion of the equipment. 

It is crucial to consider enclosure ratings, conditioning and ventilation when coordinating the planning and design of outdoor fire pump enclosures to maintain uninterrupted equipment operation during an emergency. 

• Belowgrade fire pump installation. Special consideration must be given when fire pumps are to be located below the grade. Adequate light, heat, drainage and the potential for flooding are several variables that must be considered when planning and designing this space. Equipment access and initial installation are also factors, especially belowgrade. 

The vertical circulation, passageways and doors leading to the fire pump room must be wide enough to accommodate the width of the largest piece of equipment. Typically, this is a set of double doors for most fire pump installations; however, a single-leaf door may be adequate for smaller fire pump sizes. 

Other Design Considerations

• Backup power. Electric fire pumps must be provided with a normal power source as a continually available source. Alternate sources of power must be provided when the normal source is not considered reliable. High-rise buildings are required to have an alternative power source for fire pumps with electric motor drivers. Diesel engine-driven fire pumps do not require an alternative source of power. 

These must be factored in when strategizing and coordinating the design and location of fire pumps.

• Temperature/ventilation. The fire pump room or house must be maintained above 40 F to prevent the freezing of water-filled pipe. Where a diesel fire pump is provided, the manufacturer’s data must be consulted to determine the minimum required temperature rating. Sufficient ventilation must be provided per the manufacturer’s requirements to maintain combustion air for diesel fire pumps. 

• Lighting. Fire pump rooms or houses must be provided with a means of artificial light in addition to emergency lighting. Emergency lighting must provide 3 foot-candles lighting level for two hours unless otherwise specified by the authority having jurisdiction. Where a diesel fire pump is present, the engine-starting battery is not permitted to serve the emergency lighting fixtures. 

• Cabling and circuitry. To ensure the fire pump operates even under adverse conditions, cabling and circuitry providing power to fire pumps must be protected. In general, cables must have a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour or be installed within construction with a one-hour fire rating. This requirement does not apply to cables within a fire pump room properly separated by fire-resistance-rated construction. 

• Drainage. Floors within fire pump rooms or houses must be pitched or sloped to provide adequate drainage away from critical components, including the fire pump, driver and controller. Fire pump rooms or houses must have an adequately sized floor drain that discharges into a frost-free location. 

• Remote monitoring and alarms. Fire pump systems must have remote monitoring capabilities and audible/visual alarms to promptly alert operators of any anomalies or malfunctions. NFPA 20 specifies the parameters to be monitored and the actions to be taken in case of alarm activation. 

The following signals must be sent to a constantly attended location to ensure that the fire pump status is not impaired: fire pump engine or motor running, loss of phase, phase reversal, controller, system trouble, etc. Comprehending these remote monitoring and alarm requirements ensures adequate space allocation for the fire pump room location.

• Clearances. Consideration must be given to the movement of the fire pump installation completion due to settling or vibration from pump operation. Adequate clearance must be provided around pipe passing through walls, ceilings or floors of the fire pump room enclosure. 

The diameter of the hole passing through these construction features should be 2 inches larger than the pipe. If flexible couplings are provided within 1 foot of either side of the wall, ceiling or floor, no clearance is required. The clearance should be filled with a flexible material compatible with the piping material and maintain the required fire-resistance rating of the enclosure. 

Pump controller locations should be adjacent to the motors they oversee and within the same room or area as the fire pump. A standard practice involves maintaining a clearance of 3 feet from doors or hinged panels. These minimum clearances are determined by the nominal voltage and criteria outlined by the National Electrical Code, which governs the conditions pertaining to the exposure of live parts within working spaces. 

• Earthquake protection. Where located within a seismic zone, special consideration must be given to the protection of the fire pump and fire pump room. Several key strategies for protecting fire pumps from earthquakes include ensuring proper seismic bracing and anchorage, flexible piping connections, isolation mounts and shock absorbers, equipment restraint, etc. 

Routine Maintenance and Inspection

To ensure dependable operation, fire pumps undergo regular inspection, testing and maintenance of their components. This includes examining the impeller, bearings, coupling, pressure gauges, sensors, oil level, seals, piping, valves and controllers for any signs of damage or malfunction. 

Maintenance tasks may include lubricating motor bearings and mechanical moving parts, aligning pump coupling and calibrating the controller for optimal performance. For precise maintenance schedules, always consult the manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manual to keep fire pumps in optimal condition. 

Testing frequencies fluctuate from weekly, monthly or annually, depending on the type of fire pump installed. Diesel fire pumps require weekly no-flow testing that encompasses starting and running the pump at full speed. Electric fire pumps with limited service controllers, not supplied from a tank or in a high-rise building, are required to undergo the no-flow testing monthly. 

Once a year, fire pumps are required to flow test under no-flow, rated flow and overload. While not required by NFPA 20, using a water flow meter is recommended to conserve water. If a water flow meter is used, the flow testing must be completed every three years. Diesel fire pump fuel must be tested annually for degradation to prevent engine failures. 

The outline of these maintenance and inspection requirements of the fire pump is important to provide adequate space in the room for personnel to work comfortably with the equipment. 

Personnel Training

Planning and designing fire pump rooms, whether indoors or outdoors, requires stringent construction and safety measures to maintain pump reliability, including considerations such as belowground placements, backup power, temperature control and ventilation. Essential aspects of their design involve efficient drainage, remote monitoring and sufficient clearance for equipment, all crucial for optimal functionality and safety.

Preserving fire pump functionality and reliability during emergencies requires regular maintenance protocols, thorough inspections and testing, and personnel training programs. Testing schedules vary, spanning from weekly to annual evaluations, with diesel fire pumps requiring additional annual fuel assessments. 

Ensuring system reliability and safety protocols depends on adequate training for personnel involved in fire pump operation, maintenance and inspections. Highlight the importance of collaborative coordination with facility owners to deliver comprehensive training. 

Protecting these critical components requires a proactive and holistic approach that addresses the various risks fire pumps face from the built environment. Through adherence to local codes, ordinances and implementation of industry best practices, stakeholders can enhance the reliability, resilience and effectiveness of fire pump systems. 

Jeyra Arocho has worked as a fire protection engineering designer at SmithGroup since 2021, where she has assisted in designing fire suppression, fire alarm systems and life safety analyses. Arocho’s experience spans multiple sectors, encompassing new construction and renovation projects. Beyond her technical expertise, she passionately advocates for women of color in STEM.