Does "booster pump" = Fire Pump?

[trashcanman]

I have run into this on the scope of work for some school renovation projects. It calls for "booster pump" in support of building sprinkler system. NFPA 13 does mention "booster pumps" 3 times, without making a it clear that they mean Fire Pumps. NFPA 20 does not mention "booster pumps" at all.

Is this something different from a normal Fire Pump?

 

[cdafd]

maybe specs written by someone that does ot know about fire protection systems??

where is the water supply coming from, city main, pond, tank???

 

[FFP1]

A booster pump is a fire pump arranged to "boost" the public water supply. In most instances, a fire pump is supplied by a suction tank, cistern or open body of water while a booster pump is a fire pump arranged to increase the flow and pressure available from the public water supply.

 

[FFP1]

I failed to mention the "booster pump" reference is typical industry terminology rather than a technical term.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

FFP1

That terminology description is new to me. I always thought a fire pump was the pump that was required when the incoming water pressure - from whatever source - was not sufficient to support the sprinkler and/or standpipe system.

I have never seen the term "booster pump" used for a fire suppression system. We typically use it for domestic water systems for the same issue that we would use a fire pump.

I guess I learned something new today.

 

[Cidona]

Interesting. Somewhere between 1998 and 2003, the term booster pump was removed from NFPA 20.
The 1998 NFPA 20 definition (1-8): 'Booster Pump. A fire pump that takes suction from a public service main or private use water system for the purpose of increasing the effective water pressure.'
I wonder why it was removed.
I have found it a fairly common term.