NFPA 20 - Location of Fire Pump Controller and ATS

[katwalatapan]

Hello,

In one of our projects, an existing fire pump is being conneceted to a new emergency generator. New fire pump controller with Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) within the same cabinet is also being planned. Due to site conditions, the new fire pump controller with ATS cannot be installed in the same fire pump room even when the existing fire pump controller is removed. We'd have to install the new fire pump controller with ATS in an adjacent room.

NFPA 20 Section 10.2.1 mentions the location of the fire pump controller to be within line of sight of the motor(s) and its explanation in Annex A mentions that if the fire pump controller is installed outside the pump room, then it is recommended (not required) to install glazed opening for observation of the motor during startup. This may not be possible for the new fire pump controller with ATS installed in the adjoining room.

I'd apprecaite if you'd share your insights into this issue and if a fire pump controller with ATS could be installed in an adjoining room without the requirements of any glazed openings or similar.

Thank you.

 

[LCREP]

You may want to contact several fire pump controller manufacturers to see if they have a controller with ATS that may fit in the space. If you need to move the controller make sure the wire from the controller to the motor is sized for the additional distance. Having had a motor short out on start up (pretty amazing thing) and or the coupling break between the motor and pump you definitely want to see what happens when you start the pump.

Make sure you test the controller as per 20, I have had pumps run backwards or not start at all on generator power because they were not wired properly. One was a hospital that was in service for 10 years and had never been tested off the generator. I got all kinds of pushback from them to do it since the local AHJ never required it, they sang a different tune when it did not work, a lot of jaws hitting the ground....lol. Turns out the wire from the generator to the fire pump controller was never connected.