The possibility of remote testing an electric fire pump with an automatic transfer switch.

[SprinklerDesigner2]

This is a facility with an electric fire pump with an automatic transfer switch that switches to a backup generator.

We have all seen this where there is a power failure the fire pumps automatic transfer switch simply switches the power from normal utility power to the back up generator.

The customer is wanting to be able to remotely test the fire pump from the Cummins DMC.  Remote test for Cummins is a contact closure that sends a command to the fire pump control to put it in a test mode.  This mode should send a start command back to the Cummins DMC and start the generators.  Once the generators are online, the fire pump control/ats should switch from normal power to emergency power and stay there until the test signal from Cummins has been removed.  Once the signal is removed, the ATS portion of the fire pump will time out and retransfer to normal power and remove the start command from the generators.
 
For Cummins this is known as a remote test feature.  For the fire pump it sounds like it should be a remote test/transfer.  I believe the customer does not want the pump to run during this test unless it is called to do so.

The issue as I see it is one of liability in making changes to a UL/FM controller. Just because can do something doesn't mean you should.

Anyone ever run into this?

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Please check into why the Generator main controller is not able to communicate a test of the Fire Pump Transfer Switch.

The Fire Pump Transfer Switch should have been installed with the ability to test from the Generator main controller

At this time, we have to physical go to the Transfer Switch and manually test it.

I am being told that the wires needed to make this operation happen are already installed, so it would be a matter of terminating these wires in the proper location.

Please let me know what you find out.

Thanks,

 

[LCREP]

From NFPA 25 , 2014 Ed

8.3.2.7 Qualified personnel shall be in attendance whenever the pump is in operation.
8.3.2.7.1* The use of the automatic timer allowed in 8.3.2.6 shall not eliminate the requirement of 8.3.2.7 to have qualified personnel present during test.

As an insurance AHJ I would not permit the running of the pump with no one around. I have witnessed things going wrong way to many times while witnessing the weekly/monthly tests. As noted above if NFPA 25 is adopted it is not permitted.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

What I understand is the owner wants to test the fire pump transfer switch remotely.

 

[stookeyfpe]

NFPA 20 has some guidance on this matter in the 2019 edition. See Section 4.35. I encourage you to read the Annex A supplemental information.

To your specific question, NFPA 20 (2019 ed) Section 14.2.8.3 requires the test to confirm the operation of the transfer switch from the primary to the alternate power supply (and visa-versa) does not open the overcurrent protection device on the respective circuits. Based on Section 4.35 and the Annex comments, I don't think it's an acceptable test method. The official answer lies with the AHJ.