Fire Pump Stop Automatically or Manually

[Vishal Patel]

As per NFPA 20(2010) Cl. no. 10.5.4.2 Automatic Shutdown After Automatic Start., it is understood that fire pump shall not be stop automatically, please give opinion about the understanding.

 

[MGXFP]

Are you asking why automatic shutdown may not be allowed? per 10.5.4.2(3), if the pump is the sole source of water for the sprinkler or standpipe, it has to be shut down manually. I believe the intent is to ensure the reason why the pump started automatically in the first place is addressed before the system is left alone again.

 

[LCREP]

My biggest concern is diesel fire pumps not starting after automatic shut down. Way too many things can go wrong with the diesel engine ie overheating, battery, fuel, etc etc. Electric pump as long as you have reliable power you are good to go. In my experience from an insurance side MOST fire pumps are set for automatic shutdown after automatic start. Yea I know what NFPA says but reality is another thing to consider. My 2 cents…….

 

[ThePeck]

I'd agree with both MGXFP & LCREP, my understanding has been that you don't want the Fire Pump to automatically shut down due to cycling i.e. constantly starting/stopping. As the Fire Pump pressurizes the system and shuts down to reach the desired pressure with the loss of water takes it back down to the pressure it's required to start. I've seen this happen with an underground leak that the Jockey Pump couldn't compensate for. Plus the Jockey Pump burned up from cycling and constant use. I've seen some interesting Fire Pump Controller Programming/Setups in other countries where NFPA isn't a guiding factor.

Also if the Fire Pump is on then it's a cause of concern. Not something you just want to happen and see it on a report. It's one of those things that require immediate or near immediate investigation as to the reason why it's turning on. Then again I've seen pumps turned off because they were doing that and the facility team was annoyed by it they just turned it off to avoid it.