single pump use for fire pump set 2

[Erfan z]

hi guys;
I have some issues with one of my clients.
they insist fire pump set must have 3 pumps including 1) the main listed fire pump [UL listed] 2) the supply or emergency listed fire pump and 3) the pressure maintaining pump(jockey pump) these 3 pumps must be assembled as one operating unit

so is there any Clause from NFPA 20 or another NFPA standard that there is no need to use 2 main pumps in fire pump installation?

I must mention that our project is office/residential occupancy.

 

[UFT12]

First of all NFPA 20 doesn't even mandate a pump. It only tells you how to design the pump assembly in case you need the pump.

Typically, the number of pumps is strongly related to reliability and such requirements come from insurance carriers, building codes for some special cases or the standards of your client if any. If your client wants such an arrangement why bother anyway? If from the other hand, you need to satisfy only minimum requirements (no special requirements from insurance people) and he just makes a recommendation, see what are the minimum code requirements in your jurisdiction and suggest appropriately.

 

[ProSafPlant1]

So if there is only one fire pump and it's out of commission for servicing or repairs, this is likely a major impairment of the building fire protection requiring reporting to the local authority having jurisdiction and compensating measures for the duration to safeguard occupants. More proactive to have a standby pump.

 

[LCREP]

Two fire pumps very common in areas with no public water supply or deficient public supply from a property insurance point of view. Typically a diesel engine and electric driven pumps draws from above ground suction tank or a pond/lake/river. So depending on who the insurance carrier is and $$ at risk this could be an insurance requirement. If in Europe definitely an insurance requirement since many locations have poor public water supplies.

Typically the fire pump controllers are set at different starting pressures, electric first followed by the diesel pump. Typically a 5-10 psi difference between the start pressures. Electric power out the diesel pump starts, large fire high gpm demand both pumps can start.

Also have run into a electric or diesel booster fire pump connected to the public water main. Public main adequate gpm but not enough psi hence the booster pump. Diesel fire pump connected to a secondary water supply ie suction tank. Water main break the site still has an adequate water supply.

Tom