Consulting - Specifying Engineer - NFPA 20 - Fire Pump Design PDF

9/22/2020 Consulting - Specifying Engineer | NFPA 20: Fire pump design
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NFPA 20: Fire pump design

When designing a re pump, there are a number of factors to keep in mind,
particularly NFPA 20
BY TRACEY FOSTER, SET, CFPS, DEWBERRY, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA NOVEMBER 21, 2019
Figure 1: A vertical inline re pump is equipped with a owmeter bypass and a low suction throttling
valve. Courtesy: Dewberry
Learning objectives:
Learn how
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re pumps.
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y p p
Know how to design re pump piping to meet NFPA 20 requirements.
Appreciate cost variations between different pump styles and controller options.
NFPA 20: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection protects life and
property by providing requirements for the installation of re pumps to ensure that systems will
work as intended to deliver adequate and reliable water supplies in a re emergency.
A re sprinkler system is a critical component of life safety in a building. The International Building

Code grants a number of exceptions when a building is “fully sprinklered,” such as reductions in
rated separations, reductions in re hydrant ow demands, increased egress travel
distances and increased building heights and areas. These exceptions are permitted with an
expectation that, in the event of a re, the sprinkler system will suppress the re to a su cient
degree that occupants can safely evacuate the building and the growth of the re will be controlled
until the re department arrives to fully extinguish it.
Often, the municipal water system has su cient pressure to operate the sprinkler system. A re
pump is required when the available water source does not have adequate pressure. When a
sprinkler system relies on a re pump, the performance of the system is dependent on the
pressure created by the pump.
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when selecting and designing a re pump.
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Sizing a fire pump
A re pump’s size is dictated by the most hydraulically demanding area of the re protection
system. In many high-rise buildings, this can be the automatic re standpipe system
demand which requires 500 gallons per minute at 100 pounds per square inch at the top of the
most remote standpipe, plus 250 gpm for each additional standpipe, up to a maximum of
1,000 gpm for wet systems or 1,250 gpm for dry systems.
For nonhigh-rise buildings, the most demanding area could be any number of different
hazards. Though the IBC requires buildings with a highest nished oor located more than
30 feet above the lowest re department vehicle access to be equipped with Class III
standpipes or Class I if the building is fully sprinklered, NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of
Standpipe and Hose Systems allows the standpipes to be manual type with the necessary
pressure provided by the re department pumper truck through the re department connection
(2013 NFPA 14, Section 5.4.1.1), thus eliminating the standpipe demand from consideration. It is
important to perform a hazard analysis of the building before attempting to size the re pump.
For example, a new sprinkler system might be installed in a ve-story medical o ce building with

a partial basement (overall building height of 69 feet). The building construction
is noncombustible, Type II-B and each oor is approximately 18,000 square feet. The basement
level contains electrical rooms, general storage rooms, a small oxygen storage room (250 square
feet) enclosed by a two-hour re rating and a covered exterior loading dock.
Floors one through four are comprised of o ces, exam rooms and outpatient procedure

rooms. The fth oor is a large mechanical penthouse with a roof slope of 3:12. The center core
areas on levels zero through four contain elevator lobbies, public
corridors and public restrooms. The building is equipped with a Class I wet manual standpipe
system.
The predominate hazard classi cation for the overall building is that of light hazard occupancy,
however, the building contains spaces that warrant higher hazard designations. While the oxygen
storage room requires the highest density (0.30 gpm for extra hazard occupancy), this space is
not the most hydraulically demanding. The two-hour rated enclosure provides an effective barrier
to prevent re spread outside of the room. For this reason, the calculated area need only extend to
the perimeter walls of the room (NFPA 13-2013, Section 11.2.3.3).
The exterior loading dock requires the second highest density: 0.20 gpm for ordinary hazard group

2. It also requires a 30% increase to the remote area size because the system type must
be dry due to exposure to freezing conditions (NFPA 13-2013, Section 11.2.3.2.5). The estimated
ow demand for this area is approximately 507 gpm (0.20 gpm x 1,950 square feet =
390 gpm + 30% for sprinkler head over ow = 507 gpm). A preliminary hydraulic calculation for this
area indicates a required system pressure of 65 psi.
The most hydraulically demanding area in this example is the level ve mechanical room. Though

the density for this remote area is only 0.15 gpm (ordinary hazard group 1), the top oor location
requires additional pressure to overcome the head loss from elevation. The remote area size is
increased to 1,950 square feet due to a 30% increase for slopes exceeding 2:12 (NFPA 13-2013,
SectionBy11.2.3.2.4). The estimated ow demand for this area is
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approximately 380 gpm (0.15 gpm x 1,950 square feet = 292.5 gpm + 30% for
analytics. Review our Privacy Policy for more information. sprinkler head
380 ) A li i h d li l l i i di i d
over ow = 380 gpm). A preliminary hydraulic calculation indicates a required system pressure

of 90 psi.
Once a hazard analysis and preliminary hydraulic calculations have established the re ow and
pressure required to meet the standpipe or sprinkler system demand, a review of a recent water
ow test can identify if a re pump is necessary. The water ow test used to size the re pump is
required to have been completed within the last 12 months (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.6.1.2).
In the example scenario, the water ow test indicates pressures of 54 psi static, 48 psi

residual, owing at 940 gpm. When the required outside hose demand is added to the system ow
demand (380 gpm + 250 hose = 630 gpm) and plotted on a graph, the available city water
pressure is approximately 49 psi when owing at 630 gpm.
Typically, a minimum safety factor of 10 psi is required. To meet the demand, the re pump size
should be at least 400 gpm rated at 51 psi (100 psi – 49 psi city pressure = 51 psi). Fire pumps are
typically sized by pressure range, therefore a 400 gpm pump with a revolutions per minute speed
of 3,550 can deliver a rated pressure from 40 to 56 psi without increasing the size of the
pump. Because there is no cost difference between the rated pressure of 51 and 56 psi, and high
pressure is not a concern, the 400 gpm pump rated at 56 psi is acceptable. Fire pump pressures
will be explored in further detail later.
For exceptionally tall buildings, more than one re pump may be necessary to deliver the
pressure required to the higher oors. NFPA 20 permits a maximum of three pumps to operate in
series (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.19.2.1).
Fire pumps cannot operate in parallel because the discharge check valve is forced closed when

the pressure on the outlet side of the valve is higher than that on the inlet side. For this reason, it is
not possible to add a parallel re pump to boost the pressure and/or ow to a system.
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Figure 1: A vertical inline re pump is equipped with a owmeter bypass and a low suction throttling
valve. Courtesy: Dewberry
Selecting a fire pump
Selection of the re pump depends on the building infrastructure and available space. The most
common choices for re pump drivers are electric motors and diesel engines. Electric motors
requiring high horsepower are commonly run on 460 volt or higher, three-phase
power. Steam turbines are also an option, but are fairly uncommon.
In buildings that are not equipped with enough power to supply an electric motor, a diesel re
pump may be utilized. A fuel storage tank with the capacity to hold 1 gallon of fuel per horsepower
plus an additional volume to provide room for thermal expansion is required. A dike must be
provided beneath the fuel storage tank to contain any potential fuel spills. Often, a pressure–relief
valve is required on the discharge side of the pump to relieve excess pressure in the event the
engine revs out of control or if a combination of suction pressure and pump pressure rise above a
certain threshold. The diesel motor exhaust must be routed through a mu er to the outside.
A diesel re pump must be located in a separate enclosure or in a room with direct access to
the exterior. The enclosure size is substantially larger than normally required for an electric re
pump because of the stored fuel and batteries necessary to provide a backup power
source. Diesel re pumps are more expensive to install and maintain because of the large number
of mechanical parts, which can be prone to failure.
In buildings where the electrical capacity is not a concern, an electric driver is the preferred choice.
Electric motors are more compact, require fewer mechanical parts and produce fewer negative
environmental impacts.
Though NFPA 20 provides guidelines for various types of pumps

(centrifugal, vertical shaft turbine, positive displacement and multistage multiport), centrifugal re
pumps are — including horizontal split case and vertical in-line — the most common among
commercial buildings and thus highlighted in this example. Vertical in–line pumps are generally
more compact, with a smaller footprint. While horizontal split case pumps must be mounted on a
concrete housekeeping pad, vertical in-line pumps can instead be mounted on pipe stand
supports. For these reasons, vertical in–line pumps are often a preferred choice for replacements
or retro ts.
The impeller rotation in a vertical in-line pump is less susceptible to mechanical damage from
water turbulence, allowing for more exibility in the piping arrangement on the suction side of the
pump. Horizontal split case pumps are only permitted to have elbows and tees installed
perpendicular to the pump when the tting is located at least 10 pipe size
diameters from the suction ange (NFPA 20-2013, Sections 4.14.6.3.1 to
4.14.6.3.3). These requirements are not applicable to vertical in-line styles.
The impeller on a horizontal split-case pump is located in a separate casing in front of the
motor, allowing for easy access if maintenance
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impeller is beneath the motor requiring the entire motor be raised and/or removed to access the
impeller is beneath the motor, requiring the entire motor be raised and/or removed to access the
impeller. For this reason, it is recommended that a hoist beam or another means of lifting is
provided for vertical inline pumps greater than 30 horsepower.
Figure 2: Correct and incorrect orientation of ttings are depicted in the suction line of a horizontal
split-case pump. Courtesy: Dewberry
Fire pump pressures
The total head of a re pump is the energy imparted to the liquid as it passes through the pump,
usually expressed in psi. For re pumps such as horizontal split-case and vertical in-line
centrifugal pumps that are required to operate under net positive suction head, the total head of a
re pump is calculated by adding the suction head (city pressure) to the discharge head. The
discharge head of the pump varies along a performance curve that is determined by three limiting
points: the shut-off, the rating and the overload.
The shut-off represents the
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pressure and ow that the pump should produce when operating at 100% of pump capacity.
The total head pressure should not be less than 65% of the rated total head when the pump is
operating at 150% of rated ow capacity, this is the overload point. System ow demands that
exceed the overload point can expose the pump to possible cavitation and damage.
A re pump performance curve has an allowable operating range not to exceed 140% of the rated
pressure of the pump. Consider the previous example of a 400 gpm pump rated at 56 psi. This
pump will produce 400 gpm at 56 psi when operating at 100% of pump capacity. It also can
produce a maximum volume of 600 gpm at 36 psi when operating at 65% of pump capacity. The
available volume and pressure vary along the pump curve.
Referring back to the medical building example, the loading dock required an estimated

507 gpm at 65 psi. From the pump curve in Figure 3, the pump will deliver approximately 47 psi
when owing 507 gpm. When this discharge pressure is combined with the city supply (47 + 48
psi = 95 psi), it is evident that the selected pump can easily satisfy the hydraulic demand for
the loading dock dry system.
A re pump’s churn pressure is the amount of pressure generated when the pump is operating at
zero ow. The churn pressure is combined with the static water pressure from the
connected source, resulting in a combined static pressure for which all components must be
rated. As an example, a churn pressure rating of 126% will produce 71 psi of static discharge
pressure from the aforementioned pump. When the churn pressure is combined with the static
city pressure, the total amount of static pressure expected on the discharge side of the pump is
122 psi (71 psi discharge pressure + 51 static city pressure = 122 psi).
If the static pressure exceeds 175 psi (the pressure rating for standard sprinkler components and
maximum pressure allowed for re hose valve connections), pressure–reducing valves may be
required unless all components of the system are rated for high pressure. It is important to
include the pump churn rating in the factors to consider when weighing all of the options to make
a proper pump selection.
The cost of a re pump is largely based on the horsepower rating of the pump and the type of
controller. Vertical inline pumps are usually more cost effective when compared to horizontal split-
case pumps in smaller sizes (less than 1,000 to 1,250 gpm ratings). It is recommended to consult
a local re pump representative to compare the horsepower ratings between horizontal split-case
and vertical in-line pumps, as the horsepower rating can drive up costs related to controls and
electrical connections.
Figure 3: This example shows a performance curve of a 400 gpm pump rated at 56 psi. Courtesy:
Dewberry
Controllers
NFPA 20 requires that a re pump be supplied by a continually available power source, usually
identi ed as an uninterrupted power source (NFPA 20-2013, Section 9.1.5 and 9.2.1). In many
cases, this requirement necessitates that a backup generator be provided as a secondary source
in the event of a power failure, in which case the re pump controller must be equipped with an
automatic transfer switch. An ATS is an option on a re pump controller that must be speci ed; a
controller does not come normally equipped with an ATS.
The least costly type of re pump controller is an “across-the-line” direct–

voltage controller without an ATS. This is the default controller that will usually be supplied unless
a different style has been speci ed. Many electrical engineers prefer “soft start” reduced-
voltage controllers instead, because these controllers reduce the immediate power draw
on the backup generator by slowly ramping up the voltage, allowing for a reduction in generator
size.
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The cost savings to the overall project may be greater by selecting the more expensive soft start
The cost savings to the overall project may be greater by selecting the more expensive soft start
controller to reduce the size of the generator.
Figure 4: The section view of a vertical inline re pump equipped with a owmeter bypass and an
optional low-suction throttling valve. Courtesy: Dewberry
Fire pump design
An outside screw and yoke gate valve must be installed in the suction pipe to provide a means of
isolation from the incoming supply line (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.14.5.1). This is the only device
that is explicitly permitted to be installed in the suction line within 50 feet of the pump suction
ange, though NFPA 20 does provide allowances for other equipment, which may be required by
the authority having jurisdiction or by other sections of the standard. These valves must be
electrically supervised through the re alarm system.
Where the local AHJ and/or municipal water department requires a back ow preventer to be
installed in the re pump suction line, it must be located a minimum distance of 10 times the pipe
size diameter from the pump suction ange (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.27.3). This distance
requirement is speci c to back ow preventers equipped with outside screw and yoke gate
valves. If a back ow preventer is equipped with butter y valves, the minimum distance to the
suction ange is increased to 50 feet (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.27.3.1). This increased distance is
provided to allow for dissipation of air bubbles that may form as water passes across the center
disk of By
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break tanks, are not addressed within the purview of this article.
NFPA 20 also provides an exception for a pressure–sensing line connection to the suction line
when the AHJ requires a low–suction throttling valve to maintain positive pressure on the suction
piping (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.15.9.1). The low–suction throttling valve is installed on the
discharge side of the pump before the discharge check valve.
On the discharge side of the pump, a check valve and an indicating control valve are required.
The control valve must be installed after the check valve (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.15.7). If the re
pump is equipped with a owmeter bypass, the bypass connection to the discharge pipe should
be between the check valve and control valve. Where re pumps are installed in a series, butter y
valves are not permitted to be installed between the pumps.
A re pump bypass is required on all re pumps where the suction supply is of su cient pressure
to be of material value without the pump (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.14.4). The bypass must be at
least as large as the discharge pipe and should be equipped with a check valve installed between
two normally open control valves oriented in a manner to prevent back ow to the suction side of
the pump. The bypass line should be connected before the outside screw and yoke on the suction
side and after the control valve on the discharge side of the pump.
Every re pump must be equipped with a metering device or xed nozzles to accommodate pump
testing. This equipment must be capable of water ow not less than 175% of rated pump capacity
(NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.20.2.2). When the metering device is installed in a loop arrangement for
re pump ow testing, an alternate means of measuring the ow must also be provided.
A owmeter bypass is preferred in some municipalities as part of a water conservation effort.

The owmeter bypass allows routine tests to be performed without discharging water to the
environment. The bypass line is equipped with a Venturi owmeter located between two normally
closed butter y valves. To achieve proper performance of the owmeter, manufacturer–
speci ed minimum distances must be maintained between the owmeter and
the adjacent normally closed butter y valves. The owmeter bypass must be connected after
the outside screw and yoke on the suction side and between the check valve and the control valve
on the discharge side of the pump.
The minimum pipe diameter and number of outlets required for a re pump test header is dictated
by the ow capacity of the pump. These minimum requirements are outlined in NFPA 20 (NFPA
20-2013, Table 4.26(a)). When the pipe between the test header and the pump discharge ange
exceeds 15 linear feet, the pipe diameter must be increased to the next size up.
When transitional ttings are required to reduce or increase the pipe diameter at the pump ange,
care should be taken to select the proper reducing tting. On the suction side of the pump, the
anged reducer must be the eccentric tapered type, installed in a manner to avoid air pockets. The
reducer on the discharge side of the pump should be the concentric type.
The re department connection should tie into the system on the discharge side of the
pump. When an FDC is located upstream of a re pump, the result can be high velocities that
increase water turbulence and expose the re pump to damaging conditions. Many re pumps
have maximum suction pressure ratings that can be exceeded by the pressures distributed
through the FDC.
Figure 5: Shown is the proper arrangement of transitional ttings connected to the suction and
discharge of a horizontal re pump. Courtesy: Dewberry
Fire pump enclosure
Lastly, when determining a location for a new re pump enclosure, it is important to consider
service accessibility and proximity to the building exterior. A re pump room should be located on
an exterior wall adjacent to the re lane and above the oodplain. If the enclosure must be
located inside, it shall be accessible by a passageway with a re rating equal to that of the re
pump enclosure. NFPA 20 requires the re pump room to have a minimum two-hour re
rating when located in a high-rise building. The re rating can be reduced to a one-hour rating
when the re pump enclosure is located in a fully sprinkled, nonhigh-rise building.
The enclosure should be large enough to provide adequate clearance for installation and

maintenance of the re pump and related components. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least
12 inches of clearance behind the re pump and a minimum distance of 12 inches from the edges
of the entire re pump assembly, piping and valves to the walls. If the room consists of multiple
sprinkler and/or standpipe risers, a minimum clear distance of 12 inches between risers should be
maintained tothis
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accordance with NFPA 70 must be maintained around energized electrical equipment.
The re pump room is intended solely for re protection equipment and is not to be shared by
other mechanical trades. This rule is applicable to all equipment that is nonessential to the
operation of the re pump except equipment related to domestic water distribution. NFPA 20
provides an exception for domestic water equipment to be located within the re pump room.
There are many factors to consider when designing a re pump. NFPA 20 contains

valuable requirements, which should be strictly followed to ensure that the re pump will perform
as intended, should it ever be needed.
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Tracey Foster, SET, CFPS, Dewberry, Raleigh, North Carolina

Author Bio: Tracey Foster is a senior re protection designer for Dewberry. She is a NICET level
IV re protection designer and an NFPA certi ed re protection specialist. Foster has more than 17
years of experience in the re sprinkler industry as a designer, estimator, design manager, project
manager and company license holder.
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9/22/2020 Consulting - Specifying Engineer | NFPA 20: Fire pump design

FIRE, LIFE SAFETY

NFPA 20: Fire pump design

A re sprinkler system is a critical component of life safety in a building. The International Building

For example, a new sprinkler system might be installed in a ve-story medical o ce building with

Floors one through four are comprised of o ces, exam rooms and outpatient procedure

The exterior loading dock requires the second highest density: 0.20 gpm for ordinary hazard group

The most hydraulically demanding area in this example is the level ve mechanical room. Though

over ow = 380 gpm). A preliminary hydraulic calculation indicates a required system pressure

In the example scenario, the water ow test indicates pressures of 54 psi static, 48 psi

Fire pumps cannot operate in parallel because the discharge check valve is forced closed when

Though NFPA 20 provides guidelines for various types of pumps

Referring back to the medical building example, the loading dock required an estimated

The least costly type of re pump controller is an “across-the-line” direct–

A owmeter bypass is preferred in some municipalities as part of a water conservation effort.

The enclosure should be large enough to provide adequate clearance for installation and

accordance with NFPA 70 must be maintained around energized electrical equipment.

There are many factors to consider when designing a re pump. NFPA 20 contains

Tracey Foster, SET, CFPS, Dewberry, Raleigh, North Carolina

Magazines and Newsletters

Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: September 14-20, 2020

Case study: Retro tted heating system

Case study: Hydronic heating system

Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: September 18, 2020

Basics of hot water heating boilers

Consulting-Specifying Engineer September 2020 issue

3010 Highland Parkway Suite 325

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