Fire Pump Room

[nabeel3]

In my project there is Fire pump building which has electric and diesel pump with generator and day tank. Contractor provided fire extinguisher in the pump building which is not fully enclosed. The building is like a shelter which is partially open. As per NFPA 20 section 4.12.1.3 Edition 2013 “ Fire pump buildings or rooms enclosing diesel engine pump drivers and day tanks shall be protected with automatic sprinkler system. “ But the contractor is arguing that since the shelter is not fully envelop the above condition is not applicable since it cannot be classified as a building. I am enclosing the photo of drawing. Can anyone tell me weather I can accept contractor position.

 

[stookeyfpe]

[ol A]
[li]Are the fire pumps in a free-standing detached building or are they located in the same building that's being protected? If the pump is located in the same building it's required to be separated by 1-hour fire-resistant construction and protected by automatic sprinklers per NFPA 20 Chapter 4.[/li]
[li]Is this a high-rise building? If so, other NFPA 20 compliance issues will become applicable.[/li]
[li]If the generator is carrying emergency power or legally required standby power loads, and the design is required to comply with the NEC or NFPA 110, you cannot locate the generator inside the same room housing the fire pump.[/li]
[/ol]

 

[LCREP]

Been down this road as an insurance AHJ always sited this from NFPA 20, 2013 ED

4.12.1.2.2 Outdoor installations shall be required to be provided with protection against pos-
sible interruption, in accordance with 4.12.1.

4.12.1* General Requirements. The fire pump, driver, controller, water supply, and power supply shall be protected against possible interruption of service through damage caused by explosion, fire, flood, earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandal- ism, and other adverse conditions.

Key word is "fire".....a diesel fuel spray fire from a loose or failed diesel supply pipe will be "controlled" by the sprinkler system.

 

[nabeel3]

Dear stookyefpe, thank u for your reply. The fire pumps are located in a free detached building. This fire pumps will serve around 15 to 20 buildings . One among it is a high rise building. None among it is a residential house type. This is a port project and there is container yard also. The generator is will work in case of power failure. Is the argument that since the building is not fully enveloped from top to bottom, the section 4.12.1.3 not applicable a valid one.

Dear LCREP , thanks for your reply.

 

[UFT12]

Par. 4.12.1.3 refers to pump buildings or rooms within a building. It is meant as either self contained detached buildings or rooms in a larger building. If your pump room is classified as an outdoor installation then 4.12.1.3 does not apply to your case. You need to satisfy 4.12.1.2 which practically means a necessary 50 ft separation to any other building so that the pumps are not exposed to risks that may be originated in other buildings. My understanding and strictly from NFPA 20 point of view only (no consideration about IBC, NEC, etc), if you do not have the 50 ft separation, you would have to fully enclose the pumps and either provide sprinkler protection with 1 hr fire rated house or without sprinklers with a 2 hr rated house.

The bottom line is, the only way to omit the sprinklers if to have at least 50 ft separation from any other building.

The above was only a way to interpret the standard to satisfy minimum requirements. From a risk assessment point of view however, it would be prudent to provide sprinklers for the following reasons:

a) what if a fire as LCREP wrote, starts in the room destroying both pumps and consequently you have no protection to any building.

b) assuming you don't have the 50 ft separation, have you considered arising costs for making a pump house a 2hr fire compartment instead of one? Consider also sealing of penetrations.

At the end, have you consulted the pertinent AHJ?

 

[nabeel3]

Thank you UFT12

 

[chicopee]

Has anyone consulted with the fire insurance carrier? This insurance company will base their premium on the degree of fire protection as there are several structures being under the sprinkler protection, therefore, consult with this carrier.