Diesel Fire Pump Fuel Tank Fill system 2

[solidspaces]

We have a fire pump set consisting of one electrical pump and a jockey plus the Diesel Pump that has a 1 meter cube capacity fuel tank adjacent to it. There is no automatic fill option in the fuel tank.
Are we in violation of NFPA if the fuel tank has no automatic make up system, no sight glass in the fuel tank, nor a float switch to signal an alarm in case of low fuel level? How can we meet the code requirements, because the existing system depends strictly on service staff who might lose sight of the quantity of fuel present in the tank.

 

[LittleInch]

Fit a level guage for starters, even a basic tube up the side would be better than nothing. I would imagine you're in violation of common sense and good engineering practice rather than NFPA.

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way

 

[TenPenny]

11.4.5.7 Means other than sight tubes for continuous indicating of the amount of fuel in each storage tank shall be provided.

I believe the tank should be sized for 1 gal per engine hp, +5% minimum.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Sight glasses are a problem because NFPA and/or UL prefer that all tank penetrations be in the tank top. Commercially made fuel tanks typically have multiple float switch sensors, or at least appropriate plugged bungs, already provided in the top. Look harder, or ask the tank builder what's there, and what you can do without hot work.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[bimr]

The diesel pump is a backup to the electric pump. How much money do you want to spend on the backup pump? Your money would be better spent on maintaining reliability than on accessories.

 

[Artisi]

if this is an NFPA installation, then the diesel unit should not be considered as poor cousin "backup" to the electric unit, if needs to be fully compliant as a stand alone fire pump strictly within the code, including fuel tank level indication. The easiest way to find out what is required and how best to do it is to contact a pump supplier who builds fire pumpsets to the NFPA specification.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)