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Article 695

Fire Pumps

  1. Scope.Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in brackets has been extracted from NFPA 20-2013, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection. Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to make it consistent with this Code.
    1. Covered. This article covers the installation of the follow‐ ing:
      1. Electric power sources and interconnecting circuits
      2. Switching and control equipment dedicated to fire pump drivers
    2. Not Covered. This article does not cover the following:
    1. The performance, maintenance, and acceptance testing of the fire pump system, and the internal wiring of the components of the system
    2. The installation of pressure maintenance (jockey or makeup) pumpsInformational Note: For the installation of pressure mainte‐ nance (jockey or makeup) pumps supplied by the fire pump circuit or another source, see Article 430.
    3. Transfer equipment upstream of the fire pump transfer switch(es)
    Informational Note: See NFPA 20-2013, Standard for the Installa‐ tion of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, for further information.
  2. Definitions.Fault-Tolerant External Control Circuits. Those control circuits either entering or leaving the fire pump controller enclosure, which if broken, disconnected, or shorted will not prevent the controller from starting the fire pump from all other internal or external means and may cause the controller to start the pump under these conditions.On-Site Power Production Facility. The normal supply of elec‐ tric power for the site that is expected to be constantly produc‐ ing power.On-Site Standby Generator. A facility producing electric power on site as the alternate supply of electric power. It differs from an on-site power production facility, in that it is not constantly producing power.
  3. Power Source(s) for Electric Motor-Driven Fire Pumps. Electric motor-driven fire pumps shall have a reliable source of power.
    Informational Note: See Sections 9.3.2 and A.9.3.2 fromNFPA 20-2013, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, for guidance on the determination of power source reliability.
    1. Individual Sources. Where reliable, and where capable of carrying indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the fire pump motor(s) and the pressure maintenance pump motor(s) and the full-load current of the associated fire pump accessory equipment when connected to this power supply, the power source for an electric motor driven fire pump shall be one or more of the following.
      1. Electric Utility Service Connection. A fire pump shall be permitted to be supplied by a separate service, or from a connection located ahead of and not within the same cabinet, enclosure, vertical switchgear section, or vertical switchboard section as the service disconnecting means. The connection shall be located and arranged so as to minimize the possibility of damage by fire from within the premises and from exposing hazards. A tap ahead of the service disconnecting means shall comply with 230.82(5). The service equipment shall comply with the labeling requirements in 230.2 and the location requirements in 230.72(B). [20:9.2.2(1)]
      2. On-Site Power Production Facility. A fire pump shall be permitted to be supplied by an on-site power production facility. The source facility shall be located and protected to minimize the possibility of damage by fire. [20:9.2.2(3)]
      3. Dedicated Feeder. A dedicated feeder shall be permitted where it is derived from a service connection as described in 695.3(A)(1). [20:9.2.2(3)]
    2. Multiple Sources. If reliable power cannot be obtained from a source described in 695.3(A), power shall be supplied by one of the following: [20:9.3.2]
      1. Individual Sources. An approved combination of two or more of the sources from 695.3(A).
      2. Individual Source and On-site Standby Generator. An approved combination of one or more of the sources in 695.3(A) and an on-site standby generator complying with 695.3(D). [20:9.3.4]Exception to (B)(1) and (B)(2): An alternate source of power shall not be required where a back-up engine-driven or back-up steam turbine- driven fire pump is installed. [20:9.3.3]
    3. Multibuilding Campus-Style Complexes. If the sources in 695.3(A) are not practicable and the installation is part of a multibuilding campus-style complex, feeder sources shall be permitted if approved by the authority having jurisdiction and installed in accordance with either (C)(1) and (C)(3) or (C) (2) and (C)(3).
      1. Feeder Sources. Two or more feeders shall be permitted as more than one power source if such feeders are connected to, or derived from, separate utility services. The connec‐ tion(s), overcurrent protective device(s), and disconnecting means for such feeders shall meet the requirements of 695.4(B)(1) (b).
      2. Feeder and Alternate Source. A feeder shall be permitted as a normal source of power if an alternate source of power independent from the feeder is provided. The connection(s), overcurrent protective device(s), and disconnecting means for such feeders shall meet the requirements of 695.4(B)(1) (b).
      3. Selective Coordination. The overcurrent protective device(s) in each disconnecting means shall be selectively coor‐ dinated with any other supply-side overcurrent protective device(s).
    4. On-Site Standby Generator as Alternate Source. An on- site standby generator(s) used as an alternate source of power shall comply with (D)(1) through (D)(3). [20:9.6.2.1]
      1. Capacity. The generator shall have sufficient capacity to allow normal starting and running of the motor(s) driving thefire pump(s) while supplying all other simultaneously operated load(s). [20:9.6.1.1]Automatic shedding of one or more optional standby loads in order to comply with this capacity requirement shall be permitted.
      2. Connection. A tap ahead of the generator disconnecting means shall not be required. [20:9.6.1.2]
      3. Adjacent Disconnects. The requirements of 430.113 shall not apply.
    5. Arrangement. All power supplies shall be located and arranged to protect against damage by fire from within the premises and exposing hazards. [20:9.1.4]Multiple power sources shall be arranged so that a fire at one source does not cause an interruption at the other source.
    6. Transfer of Power. Transfer of power to the fire pump controller between the individual source and one alternate source shall take place within the pump room. [20:9.6.4]
    7. Power Source Selection. Selection of power source shall be performed by a transfer switch listed for fire pump service. [20:10.8.1.3.1]
    8. Overcurrent Device Selection. An instantaneous trip circuit breaker shall be permitted in lieu of the overcurrent devices specified in 695.4(B)(2)(a)(1), provided that it is part of a transfer switch assembly listed for fire pump service that complies with 695.4(B)(2)(a)(2).
    9. Phase Converters. Phase converters shall not be permitted to be used for fire pump service. [20:9.1.7]
  4. Continuity of Power. Circuits that supply electric motor–driven fire pumps shall be supervised from inadvertent disconnection as covered in 695.4(A) or (B).
    1. Direct Connection. The supply conductors shall directly connect the power source to a listed fire pump controller, a listed combination fire pump controller and power transfer switch, or a listed fire pump power transfer switch.
    2. Connection Through Disconnecting Means and Overcur‐ rent Device.
      1. Number of Disconnecting Means.
        1. General. A single disconnecting means and associated overcurrent protective device(s) shall be permitted to be instal‐ led between the fire pump power source(s) and one of the following: [20:9.1.2]
          1. A listed fire pump controller
          2. A listed fire pump power transfer switch
          3. A listed combination fire pump controller and power transfer switch
        2. Feeder Sources. For systems installed under the provi‐ sions of 695.3(C) only, additional disconnecting means and the associated overcurrent protective device(s) shall be permitted.
        3. On-Site Standby Generator. Where an on-site standby generator is used to supply a fire pump, an additional discon‐ necting means and an associated overcurrent protective device(s) shall be permitted.
    1. Overcurrent Device Selection. Overcurrent devices shall comply with 695.4(B)(2)(a) or (b).
      1. Individual Sources. Overcurrent protection for indi‐ vidual sources shall comply with 695.4(B)(2)(a)(1) or (2).
        1. Overcurrent protective device(s) shall be rated to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the largest fire pump motor and the pressure maintenance pump motor(s) and the full-load current of all of the other pump motors and associated fire pump accessory equipment when connected to this power supply. Where the locked-rotor current value does not correspond to a standard overcurrent device size, the next standard over‐ current device size shall be used in accordance with240.6. The requirement to carry the locked-rotor currents indefinitely shall not apply to conductors or devices other than overcurrent devices in the fire pump motor circuit(s). The requirement to carry the locked rotor currents indefinitely shall not apply to feeder overcurrent protective devices installed in accordance with 695.3(C). [20:9.2.3.4]
        2. Overcurrent protection shall be provided by an assembly listed for fire pump service and complying with the following:
          1. The overcurrent protective device shall not open within 2 minutes at 600 percent of the full-load current of the fire pump motor(s).
          2. The overcurrent protective device shall not open with a re-start transient of 24 times the full-load current of the fire pump motor(s).
          3. The overcurrent protective device shall not open within 10 minutes at 300 percent of the full-load current of the fire pump motor(s).
          4. The trip point for circuit breakers shall not be field adjustable. [20:9.2.3.4.1]
      2. On-Site Standby Generators. Overcurrent protective devices between an on-site standby generator and a fire pump controller shall be selected and sized to allow for instantaneous pickup of the full pump room load, but shall not be larger than the value selected to comply with 430.62 to provide short- circuit protection only. [20:9.6.1.1]
    2. Disconnecting Means. All disconnecting devices that are unique to the fire pump loads shall comply with items (a) through (e).
      1. Features and Location — Normal Power Source. The disconnecting means for the normal power source shall comply with all of the following: [20:9.2.3.1]
        1. Be identified as suitable for use as service equipment.
        2. Be lockable in the closed position. The provision for lock‐ ing or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed.
        3. Not be located within the same enclosure, panelboard, switchboard, switchgear, or motor control center, with or without common bus, that supplies loads other than the fire pump.
        4. Be located sufficiently remote from other building or other fire pump source disconnecting means such that inadvertent operation at the same time would be unlikely.

        Exception to 695.4(B)(3)(a): For a multibuilding campus-stylecomplex(s) installed under the provisions of 695.3(C), only the require‐ ments in 695.4(B)(3)(a)(2) shall apply for normal power source disconnects.
      2. Features and Location — On-Site Standby Generator. The disconnecting means for an on-site standby generator(s) used as the alternate power source shall be installed in accordancewith 700.10(B)(5) for emergency circuits and shall be lockable in the closed position. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed.
      3. Disconnect Marking. The disconnecting means shall be marked “Fire Pump Disconnecting Means.” The letters shall be at least 25 mm (1 in.) in height, and they shall be visible without opening enclosure doors or covers. [20:9.2.3.1(5)]
      4. Controller Marking. A placard shall be placed adjacent to the fire pump controller, stating the location of this discon‐ necting means and the location of the key (if the disconnecting means is locked). [20:9.2.3.2]
      5. Supervision. The disconnecting means shall be super‐ vised in the closed position by one of the following methods:
        1. Central station, proprietary, or remote station signal device
        2. Local signaling service that causes the sounding of an audible signal at a constantly attended point
        3. Locking the disconnecting means in the closed position
      6. Sealing of disconnecting means and approved weekly recorded inspections when the disconnecting means are loca‐ ted within fenced enclosures or in buildings under the control of the owner [20:9.2.3.3]
  5. Transformers. Where the service or system voltage is different from the utilization voltage of the fire pump motor, transformer(s) protected by disconnecting means and overcur‐ rent protective devices shall be permitted to be installed between the system supply and the fire pump controller in accordance with 695.5(A) and (B), or with (C). Only trans‐ formers covered in 695.5(C) shall be permitted to supply loads not directly associated with the fire pump system.
    1. Size. Where a transformer supplies an electric motor driven fire pump, it shall be rated at a minimum of 125 percent of the sum of the fire pump motor(s) and pressure mainte‐ nance pump(s) motor loads, and 100 percent of the associated fire pump accessory equipment supplied by the transformer.
    2. Overcurrent Protection. The primary overcurrent protec‐ tive device(s) shall be selected or set to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the fire pump motor(s) and the pressure maintenance pump motor(s) and the full-load current of the associated fire pump accessory equipment when connected to this power supply. Secondary overcurrent protec‐ tion shall not be permitted. The requirement to carry the locked-rotor currents indefinitely shall not apply to conductors or devices other than overcurrent devices in the fire pump motor circuit(s).
    3. Feeder Source. Where a feeder source is provided in accordance with 695.3(C), transformers supplying the fire pump system shall be permitted to supply other loads. All other loads shall be calculated in accordance with Article 220, includ‐ ing demand factors as applicable.
      1. Size. Transformers shall be rated at a minimum of 125 percent of the sum of the fire pump motor(s) and pressure maintenance pump(s) motor loads, and 100 percent of the remaining load supplied by the transformer.
      2. Overcurrent Protection. The transformer size, the feeder size, and the overcurrent protective device(s) shall be coordina‐ ted such that overcurrent protection is provided for the trans‐ former in accordance with 450.3 and for the feeder in accordance with 215.3, and such that the overcurrent protec‐

    tive device(s) is selected or set to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the fire pump motor(s), the pres‐ sure maintenance pump motor(s), the full-load current of the associated fire pump accessory equipment, and 100 percent of the remaining loads supplied by the transformer. The require‐ ment to carry the locked-rotor currents indefinitely shall not apply to conductors or devices other than overcurrent devices in the fire pump motor circuit(s).
  6. Power Wiring. Power circuits and wiring methods shall comply with the requirements in 695.6(A) through (J), and as permitted in 230.90(A), Exception No. 4; 230.94, Exception No. 4; 240.13; 230.208; 240.4(A); and 430.31.
    1. Supply Conductors.
      1. Services and On-Site Power Production Facilities. Service conductors and conductors supplied by on-site power produc‐ tion facilities shall be physically routed outside a building(s) and shall be installed as service-entrance conductors in accord‐ ance with 230.6, 230.9, and Parts III and IV of Article 230. Where supply conductors cannot be physically routed outside of buildings, the conductors shall be permitted to be routed through the building(s) where installed in accordance with 230.6(1) or (2).
      2. Feeders. Fire pump supply conductors on the load side of the final disconnecting means and overcurrent device(s) permitted by 695.4(B), or conductors that connect directly to an on-site standby generator, shall comply with all of the follow‐ ing:
        1. Independent Routing. The conductors shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring.
        2. Associated Fire Pump Loads. The conductors shall supply only loads that are directly associated with the fire pump system.
        3. Protection from Potential Damage. The conductors shall be protected from potential damage by fire, structural failure, or operational accident.
        4. Inside of a Building. Where routed through a build‐ ing, the conductors shall be protected from fire for 2 hours using one of the following methods:
          1. The cable or raceway is encased in a minimum 50 mm(2 in.) of concrete.
          2. The cable or raceway is a listed fire-resistive cable system.
          Informational Note 1: Fire-resistive cables are tested to ANSI/ UL 2196,Tests for Fire Resistive Cables.Informational Note 2: The listing organization provides infor‐ mation for fire-resistive cable systems on proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
      3. The cable or raceway is a listed electrical circuit protec‐ tive system.
        Informational Note 1: Electrical circuit protective systems couldinclude, but are not limited to, thermal barriers or a protective shaft and are tested in accordance with UL 1724, Fire Tests for Electrical Circuit Protection Systems.
        Informational Note 2: The listing organization provides infor‐mation for electrical circuit protective systems on proper instal‐ lation requirements to maintain the fire rating.Exception to (A)(2)(d): The supply conductors located in the electrical equipment room where they originate and in the fire pump room shall not be required to have the minimum 2-hour fire separation or fire- resistance rating, unless otherwise required by 700.10(D) of this Code.•
    2. Conductor Size.
      1. Fire Pump Motors and Other Equipment. Conductors supplying a fire pump motor(s), pressure maintenance pumps, and associated fire pump accessory equipment shall have a rating not less than 125 percent of the sum of the fire pump motor(s) and pressure maintenance motor(s) full-load current(s), and 100 percent of the associated fire pump acces‐ sory equipment.
      2. Fire Pump Motors Only. Conductors supplying only a fire pump motor shall have a minimum ampacity in accordance with 430.22 and shall comply with the voltage drop require‐ ments in 695.7.
    3. Overload Protection. Power circuits shall not have auto‐ matic protection against overloads. Except for protection of transformer primaries provided in 695.5(C)(2), branch-circuit and feeder conductors shall be protected against short circuit only. Where a tap is made to supply a fire pump, the wiring shall be treated as service conductors in accordance with 230.6. The applicable distance and size restrictions in 240.21 shall not apply.Exception No. 1: Conductors between storage batteries and the engine shall not require overcurrent protection or disconnecting means.Exception No. 2: For an on-site standby generator(s) rated to produce continuous current in excess of 225 percent of the full-load amperes of the fire pump motor, the conductors between the on-site generator(s) and the combination fire pump transfer switch controller or separately moun‐ ted transfer switch shall be installed in accordance with 695.6(A)(2).The protection provided shall be in accordance with the short-circuit current rating of the combination fire pump transfer switch controller or separately mounted transfer switch.
    4. Pump Wiring. All wiring from the controllers to the pump motors shall be in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, listed Type MC cable with an impervious covering, or Type MI cable. Electrical connections at motor terminal boxes shall be made with a listed means of connection. Twist-on, insulation- piercing–type, and soldered wire connectors shall not be permitted to be used for this purpose.
    5. Loads Supplied by Controllers and Transfer Switches. A fire pump controller and fire pump power transfer switch, if provided, shall not serve any load other than the fire pump for which it is intended.
    6. Mechanical Protection. All wiring from engine controllers and batteries shall be protected against physical damage and shall be installed in accordance with the controller and engine manufacturer’s instructions.
    7. Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Ground-fault protection of equipment shall not be installed in any fire pump power circuit. [20:9.1.8.1]
    8. Listed Electrical Circuit Protective System to Controller Wiring. Electrical circuit protective system installation shall comply with any restrictions provided in the listing of the elec‐ trical circuit protective system used, and the following also shall apply:
    1. A junction box shall be installed ahead of the fire pump controller a minimum of 300 mm (12 in.) beyond the fire-rated wall or floor bounding the fire zone.
    2. Where required by the manufacturer of a listed electrical circuit protective system or by the listing, or as required elsewhere in this Code, the raceway between a junction box and the fire pump controller shall be sealed at the junction box end as required and in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer. [20:9.8.2]
    3. Standard wiring between the junction box and the controller shall be permitted. [20:9.8.3]
    1. Junction Boxes. Where fire pump wiring to or from a fire pump controller is routed through a junction box, the follow‐ ing requirements shall be met:
      1. The junction box shall be securely mounted. [20:9.7(1)]
      2. Mounting and installing of a junction box shall not violate the enclosure type rating of the fire pump control‐ ler(s). [20:9.7(2)]
      3. Mounting and installing of a junction box shall not violate the integrity of the fire pump controller(s) and shall not affect the short-circuit rating of the control‐ ler(s). [20:9.7(3)]
      4. As a minimum, a Type 2, drip-proof enclosure (junction box) shall be used where installed in the fire pump room. The enclosure shall be listed to match the fire pump controller enclosure type rating. [20:9.7(4)]
      5. Terminals, junction blocks, wire connectors, and splices, where used, shall be listed. [20:9.7(5)]
      6. A fire pump controller or fire pump power transfer switch, where provided, shall not be used as a junction box to supply other equipment, including a pressure maintenance (jockey) pump(s).
    2. Raceway Terminations. Where raceways are terminated at a fire pump controller, the following requirements shall be met: [20:9.9]
    1. Listed conduit hubs shall be used. [20:9.9.1]
    2. The type rating of the conduit hub(s) shall be at least equal to that of the fire pump controller. [20:9.9.2]
    3. The installation instructions of the manufacturer of the fire pump controller shall be followed. [20:9.9.3]
    4. Alterations to the fire pump controller, other than conduit entry as allowed elsewhere in this Code, shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. [20:9.9.4]
  7. Voltage Drop.
  1. Starting. The voltage at the fire pump controller line terminals shall not drop more than 15 percent below normal (controller-rated voltage) under motor starting conditions.Exception: This limitation shall not apply for emergency run mechani‐ cal starting. [ 20: 9.4.2]
  2. Running. The voltage at the load terminals of the fire pump controller shall not drop more than 5 percent below the voltage rating of the motor connected to those terminals when the motor is operating at 115 percent of the full-load current rating of the motor.

695.10 Listed Equipment. Diesel engine fire pump control‐ lers, electric fire pump controllers, electric motors, fire pump power transfer switches, foam pump controllers, and limited service controllers shall be listed for fire pump service. [20:9.5.1.1, 10.1.2.1, 12.1.3.1]

695.12 Equipment Location.

  1. Controllers and Transfer Switches. Electric motor-driven fire pump controllers and power transfer switches shall be loca‐ ted as close as practicable to, and within sight of, the motors that they control.
  2. Engine-Drive Controllers. Engine-drive fire pump control‐ lers shall be located as close as is practical to, and within sight of, the engines that they control.
  3. Storage Batteries. Storage batteries for fire pump engine drives shall be supported above the floor, secured against displacement, and located where they are not subject to physi‐ cal damage, flooding with water, excessive temperature, or excessive vibration.
  4. Energized Equipment. All energized equipment parts shall be located at least 300 mm (12 in.) above the floor level.
  5. Protection Against Pump Water. Fire pump controller and power transfer switches shall be located or protected so that they are not damaged by water escaping from pumps or pump connections.
  6. Mounting. All fire pump control equipment shall be mounted in a substantial manner on noncombustible support‐ ing structures.
  1. Control Wiring.
    1. Control Circuit Failures. External control circuits that extend outside the fire pump room shall be arranged so that failure of any external circuit (open or short circuit) shall not prevent the operation of a pump(s) from all other internal or external means. Breakage, disconnecting, shorting of the wires, or loss of power to these circuits could cause continuous running of the fire pump but shall not prevent the control‐ ler(s) from starting the fire pump(s) due to causes other than these external control circuits. All control conductors within the fire pump room that are not fault tolerant shall be protec‐ ted against physical damage. [20:10.5.2.6, 12.5.2.5]
    2. Sensor Functioning. No undervoltage, phase-loss, frequency-sensitive, or other sensor(s) shall be installed that automatically or manually prohibits actuation of the motor contactor. [20:10.4.5.6]Exception: A phase-loss sensor(s) shall be permitted only as a part of a listed fire pump controller.
    3. Remote Device(s). No remote device(s) shall be installed that will prevent automatic operation of the transfer switch. [20:10.8.1.3]
    4. Engine-Drive Control Wiring. All wiring between the controller and the diesel engine shall be stranded and sized to continuously carry the charging or control currents as required by the controller manufacturer. Such wiring shall be protected against physical damage. Controller manufacturer’s specifica‐ tions for distance and wire size shall be followed. [20:12.3.5.1]
    5. Electric Fire Pump Control Wiring Methods. All electric motor–driven fire pump control wiring shall be in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, liquidtight flexible nonme‐ tallic conduit, listed Type MC cable with an impervious cover‐ ing, or Type MI cable.
    6. Generator Control Wiring Methods. Control conductors installed between the fire pump power transfer switch and the standby generator supplying the fire pump during normal power loss shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring. The integrity of the generator control wiring shall be continuously monitored. Loss of integrity of the remote start circuit(s) shall initiate visual and audible annunciation of generator malfunction at the generator local and remote annunciator(s) and start the generator(s).
    Informational Note: See NFPA 20-2013, Standard for the Installa‐ tion of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, Section 3.3.7.2, for more information on fault-tolerant external control circuits.The control conductors shall be protected to resist potential damage by fire or structural failure. They shall be permitted to be routed through a building(s) using one of the following methods:
    1. Be encased in a minimum 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete.
    2. Be protected by a fire-rated assembly listed to achieve a minimum fire rating of 2 hours and dedicated to the fire pump circuits.
    3. Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a mini‐ mum 2-hour fire rating. The installation shall comply with any restrictions provided in the listing of the electri‐ cal circuit protective system used.

    Informational Note: The listing organization provides informa‐tion for electrical circuit protective systems on proper installa‐ tion requirements to maintain the fire rating.imageN
  2. Surge Protection. A listed surge protection device shall be installed in or on the fire pump controller.

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