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NEC Rules for Fire Pumps

by Mike Holt Apr 16, 2013
NEC Trainer / Consultant, Mike Holt Enterprises

982 Articles

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Understanding the circuit protection requirements What is in this article?:

Training Strengths versus Training Weaknesses
of Art. 695 and why theyre different from other
NEC Rules for Fire Pumps
parts of the NEC
Seek Balance for Longer Motor Life
SIDEBAR: Power Source(s) for Electric
Motor-Driven Fire Pumps Tip of the Week: The Value of Insulation
Resistance Testing

The general philosophy behind most Code requirements is to provide circuit protection Tip of the Week: Insights from NEC Article 90,
that will shut down equipment before the supply conductors become overloaded, Part 1

overheated, and damaged. But Art. 695 is based on a different philosophy: The fire
Tip of the Week: Are Your People Inattentive?
pump motor must run, regardless of the risk to the conductors.

A fire pump supplies water to a facilitys fire protection piping. If the pump doesnt run, Photo Galleries
not only will those conductors be damaged, but the entire facility will also be in danger
Code Quiz of the
of burning down. Consequently, the many requirements of Art. 695 aim to keep the Week: No. 79
pump running. Take this weekly quiz to
test your knowledge of the
Obviously, the pump is more likely to keep running if its location minimizes exposure 2014 National Electrical

to fire, and doing so is an NEC requirement. This doesnt conflict with other Code (NEC) requirements.

requirements, but many Art. 695 requirements do. For example, contrary to what other
articles require, the disconnect must be lockable in the closed position [695.4(B)
(3)(a)(2)].
Join the Discussion on EC&M Talk
According to the scope statement of Art. 695, it covers the installation of the fire pump
supply and controls. It doesnt cover the jockey pumps or the internal wiring of the Hot Topics Comments New Topics

system (Photo).
Listed Lugs for Bonding to Steel
last reply by u ser-1233872 in Bon din g &
Grou n din g

192 Volts on a 120 Volt Circuit 2

last reply by W A Wern in g in Gen eral Electrical

Talk Discu ssion

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NEC Rules for Fire Pumps http://ecmweb.com/code-basics/nec-rules-fire-pumps

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The rules covering the installation of electric power sources and interconnecting circuits for switching and EC&M Webinars
control equipment dedicated to fire pump drivers are very specific.

Power sources NOV 9, 2016

WEBI NAR
With the 2011 NEC, the power requirements found in Art. 695 have changed Technology Enabled
extensively (see SIDEBAR: Power Source(s) for Electric Motor-Driven Fire Pumps). Data Center Life
Cycle Services
However, as with previous NEC editions, you must supply power from a reliable source.
This source must be able to carry the locked-rotor current of the fire pump motor(s) NOV 2, 2016
and pressure maintenance pump motors, plus the full-load current of associated fire WEBI NAR
pump equipment [695.3(A)]. There is More to a
Data Center than
White Space; A
Electric motor-driven fire pumps must have a reliable source of power, which is subject
Holistic Approach to
to the approval of the AHJ. It needs to be one or more of the following: Facility Monitoring and Control

A separate electric utility service [695.3(A)(1)]. VIEW MORE WEBINARS

A connection located ahead of (but not within) the service disconnecting means
[695.3(A)(1)].
EC&M TV
An on-site power supply, such as a generator, located and protected to minimize damage
by fire [695.3(A)(2)]. IDEAL PowerBlade
Cable Cutters 1
A dedicated feeder derived from a service connection in accordance with 695.3(A)(1) Big enough for any job...
[695.3(A)(3)].

If reliable power cant be obtained from one of these sources, then it must be supplied
by one of the following multiple sources [695.3(B)]:
More
1. Individual sources. An approved combination of two or more of the sources from
695.3(A).
BROWSE ALL VIDEOS
2. Individual source and on-site standby generator. An approved combination of one of the
sources in 695.3(A) and an on-site standby generator.

Exception to 695.3(B)(1) and (B)(2): An alternate source of power isnt required where
a back-up engine-driven or back-up steam turbine-driven fire pump is installed.

If you have:

A multi-building, campus-style installation where the sources just discussed arent

practicable, follow the requirements of 695.3(C).
An on-site standby generator as an alternate source, follow the requirements of 695.3(D).

Arrange multiple sources so that a fire at one source wont cause an interruption at the
other source [695.3(E)]. Phase converters are not permitted for a fire pump service
[695.3(F)].

Continuity

Circuits that supply electric motor-driven fire pumps must be supervised from EC&M Learning Center
inadvertent disconnection whether the conductors connect directly or through a
disconnecting means and overcurrent device [695.4].
Understanding the 2014 NEC,
Volume 1 (Articles 90 to 480)
If you have a direct connection, the supply conductors must directly connect the power
This resource has proven itself in the
source either to a listed fire pump controller or to a listed combination fire pump field and in the exam room. This latest
controller and power transfer switch [695.4(A)]. edition will provide you with a rock-solid
foundation...
If you connect through a disconnect and an overcurrent protective device (OCPD), then
you can use a single disconnecting means and associated OCPD(s) between the fire Understanding NEC
Requirements for Grounding vs
pump power source and one of the following [695.4(B)(1)]: Bonding

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NEC Rules for Fire Pumps http://ecmweb.com/code-basics/nec-rules-fire-pumps

1. Listed fire pump controller. One of the most confusing areas of the
trade continues to be grounding and bonding, which is
2. Listed fire pump power transfer switch.
why this book needs to be in the hands...
3. Listed combination fire pump controller and power transfer switch.
Changes to The NEC 2014
Select or set the OCPD to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the Don't let the scale of the code changes
fire pump and pressure maintenance pump motor(s), and 100% of the ampere rating of intimidate you, this book will get you up
the fire pumps accessory equipment. to speed on the most essential...

If the locked-rotor current value doesnt correspond to a standard OCPD size, then use BROWSE ALL TITLES
the next standard OCPD size per 240.6 (Fig. 1). The requirement to carry the locked-
rotor current indefinitely doesnt apply to fire pump motor conductors [695.4(B)
(2)(a)].

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E-MAIL*
Fig. 1. If the locked-rotor current doesnt correspond to a standard overcurrent protective device (OCPD), then
use the next size up per 240.6. In this example, the locked rotor current is shown as 404A. Therefore, you
COUNTRY*
should use a 450A OCPD. Enter your email above to receive messages about
offerings by Penton, its brands, affiliates and/or third-
party partners, consistent with Pentons Privacy Policy.
Disconnecting means

The disconnecting means for the normal power source must be [695.4(B)(3)]:

Identified as suitable for use as service equipment.

Lockable in the closed position.
Not located within equipment that feeds loads other than the fire pump.
Located sufficiently remote from other building or other fire pump source disconnecting
means.
Connect With Us
Marked Fire Pump Disconnecting Means. The letters must be at least 1 in. high. People
must be able to see them without opening enclosure doors or covers [695.4(B)(3)(c)].

What if an on-site generator is the alternate power source? In that case, install its
disconnect per 700.10(B)(5) for emergency circuits, and ensure the disconnect can be
locked in the closed position [695.4(B)(3)(a)(2)].

Transformers

If a transformer supplies an electric fire pump motor, size it at least 125% of the sum of
the fire pump and pressure maintenance pump(s) motor loads, and 100% of the
ampere rating of the fire pumps accessory equipment [695.5(A)].

Size the primary OCPD to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of the
fire pump and pressure maintenance pump motor(s), and 100% of the ampere rating of
the fire pumps accessory equipment. The requirement to carry the locked-rotor
currents indefinitely does not apply to fire pump motor conductors. Secondary
overcurrent protection is not permitted [695.5(B)].

Power wiring

Service conductors and conductors supplied by on-site power production facilities must
be physically routed outside buildings [695.6]. Install them per Art. 230. If these
conductors cannot be routed outside of buildings, then encase them in 2 in. of concrete
or brick [230.6(1) or (2)].

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Keep fire pump supply conductors entirely independent of all other wiring. They can
supply only those loads directly associated with the fire pump system. Make sure they
are protected from potential damage by fire, structural failure, or operational accident
[695.6(A)(2)]. You can route fire pump conductors through a building by one of the
following methods [695.6(A)(2)(d)]:

Encase them in a minimum 2 in. of concrete.

Run them within an enclosed construction dedicated to the fire pump circuit(s) and
having a minimum of a 2-hr fire-resistive rating.
Use a listed electrical circuit protective system protected by a fire-rated assembly listed to
achieve a minimum fire rating of 2 hr and dedicated to the fire pump circuit(s).

Fig. 2. Branch circuit conductors to a single fire pump motor must have a rating of not less than 125% of the
motor FLC as listed in Tables 430.248 or 430.250.

Conductors supplying only a fire pump motor must have a minimum ampacity of at
least 125% of the motor full-load current rating as required by 430.22 [695.6(B)(2)], as
shown in Fig. 2. If these conductors also supply related equipment, such as another
fire pump motor, pressure maintenance pumps, and associated fire pump accessory
equipment, they must have a minimum ampacity of at least 125% of the sum of the fire
pump motors and pressure maintenance motors full-load currents and 100% of the
associated fire pump accessory equipment [695.6(B)(1)].

Wiring from the fire pump controller to the fire pump motor (not installed through a
building, as covered in 695.6(B)) must be in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, electrical metallic tubing, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, liquidtight
flexible nonmetallic conduit Type B, listed Type MC cable with an impervious covering,
or Type MI cable [695.6(D)]. This requirement also applies to the control wiring
[695.14(E)].

The voltage at the line terminals of the fire pump controller, when the motor starts
(locked-rotor current), must not drop more than 15% below the controllers rated
voltage [695.7(A)].

In addition, the voltage at the motor terminals must not drop more than 5% below the
voltage rating of the motor when the motor operates at 115% of the fire pump full-load
current rating [695.7(B)].

Regardless of the voltage drop calculations, size the branch circuit conductors no
smaller than required by [695.6(B)].

GFCI

Ground-fault protection of equipment is not allowed on fire pump equipment

[695.6(G)]. The NEC doesnt prohibit you from installing GFCI-protected receptacles
in a fire pump location for portable equipment or other outlets required by the NEC to
be GFCI protected.

In summary

Because the circuit protection requirements of Art. 695 differ from and
philosophically conflict with the NECs other circuit protection requirements, correct

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application can be confusing. The central question to answer when installing fire
pumps and related equipment is, How do I make sure the pump runs no matter
what?

Remember, the fire pump must be kept in service, even if doing so damages or destroys
the pump. Its better to run the pump until its windings melt than to save the fire pump
and lose the facility. The intent of Art. 695 is to save the facility.

SIDEBAR: Power Source(s) for Electric Motor-

Driven Fire Pumps

1 2 Next

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Discuss this Article 11

on Apr 19, 2013

Anonymous (not verified)

What are the required fire alarm signals for electrical fire pump and diesel generator as a
one set or two electrical fire pumps?

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on May 7, 2013
Anonymous (not verified)

This article covers basic code requirements that can be found in NFPA 20 and NEC 695. It
does not address problems and conflicts associated with the codes like NFPA 70E. Here are
some examples.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1khYO8S60_BseY0pm1gEsglp9_VqtdsGB...

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on Jul 31, 2013

Anonymous (not verified)

An old high-rise apartment has an old electric fire pump

not supported by the old generator. The generator is to be
replaced. Is there any code requirement that would mandate
an update to the service and / or connecting the fire pump to the new genset?

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Paul Abernathy on Dec 17, 2014

@ Anonymous -
The National Electrical Code [NEC] is not a retroactive code. However, local
jurisdictions are slightly different in their thought process. For example, if the nature of
the building requires a fire pump (high rise for example) then it would be required to
have one by the international building code [IBC] and more than likely a State-Wide
Building Code amendment process. However, if that building is existing and was not
required to install a fire pump at the time of construction then it would not have to be
added..if that were the case.
Now since your "old" high rise did require a fire pump, it is required to be maintained
and be capable of handling the fire suppression system. At the time of installation, if the
local AHJ determined that the single direct supply source was adequate (as defined in
695.3(A) and (A)(1)) and reliable then no other source would be required. That is a call
that is made by the local jurisdiction and should be reaffirmed.
Never assume anything when it comes to a local jurisdiction since what might have been
acceptable to one AHJ might not be later down the road. In all cases a call should be
made to the local AHJ and point blank ask them if they consider this a like-for-like
upgrade and if the direct connection from the utility still considered a reliable source.
Safety is something that AHJ's change all the time. When buildings are remodeled,
upgraded, determined to no longer meet safety standards then they can elect to make
forced updates to systems..moral of this is you simply need to ask the local AHJ if this is
the case....chances are they may say the local utility is considered reliable and simply say
upgrade the gen-set and not worry about the fire pump.
Hope this helps...

5 de 7 15/06/17 16:08
NEC Rules for Fire Pumps http://ecmweb.com/code-basics/nec-rules-fire-pumps

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on Jan 29, 2014

Engr John

Wonderful! This is the exact article that I tried many times to search for, but couldn't find
it. Thanks to Mr. Mike Holt for such a great post and sharing your knowledge with us.
Also, if you don't mind, can I share it on my friend's blog?

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meby (staff) on Jan 30, 2014

Hi Engr John. I'm glad to see you liked this article. If you would like to post a link to this
article on your friend's blog that would be fine. However, we can't allow you to copy and
post this article on his site. Thanks!
Mike

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on Oct 22, 2014

eduardo1274

I would like to know if both sources that feed the fire pumps through an ATS has to be
encase in a 2 hours rating.

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on Dec 11, 2014

Paul Abernathy

@eduardo1274 -
The answer to your question can be found in Section 695.(A)(2) in terms of the feeders.
However, as with all questions usually asked something is lacking....when you say "both
sources" you really should clarify it you are referring to one being a service and the other
being a feeder like you would find from an on-site generator. Either way since we are
talking about supply conductors just remember if they are service conductors then 230.6
and 230.9 apply and if from an on-site generator then see 695.6(A)(2) for clarity...

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on Jul 20, 2015

MRELEC

I have a question in regards to the portion that says "through a building...". We have an
electrical room adjacent to the fire pump room. The fire pump room can only be accessed
from the exterior of the building and the switchboard where the service for the building is
resides on that adjoining wall. If we were to come out of that switchboard directly into the
fire pump room would that be considered running "through the building"? We are
replacing a 75 HP fire pump with a 200 HP fire pump. The current wiring method to the 75
HP controller is Rigid Metal Conduit. Does the new pump controller feed need to be
encased in concrete?

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on Jan 26, 2016

WBELEC

When the conduit feeder circuit from outside disconnect to the fire pump controller is
located in a 1-hour rated room (specifically built for the pump and water holding tanks)
and conductors are in a Rigid Metal Conduit is this considered "through the building"?

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on Nov 1, 2016
Juantxo

The article does not mention the enclosure type for the disconnect switch, only for the
controller. How can a disconnect switch be NEMA 1 when the control enclosure is NEMA
4?

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Please Log In or Register to post comments.

6 de 7 15/06/17 16:08
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