Vintage Fire Pump Controllers

[JimmyJunior]

One of our domestic water distribution buildings has two fire pumps driven by Westinghouse 75hp 460/230Vac dating to the 1950s. The motor controllers are reduced voltage (resistor) types dating to the same era. These systems are working fine, except that we feel the motor controllers should be replaced. Probably we will not be able to find replacementment parts for the existing vintage motor controllers.

I favor an across-the-line starting method, while others prefer reduced voltage starting of some sort.

The pumps are excercised once a month by our maintenance contractor.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

JimmyJunior

 

[itsmoked]

I don't think I'd change them as they probably have very few hours on them.

But.. If you must. 75HP is not much comparatively speaking to DOL unless you have some issues with a weak source that would cause problematic voltage dips on starts.

You could go with soft starters which are relatively inexpensive and provide excellent starting, especially of pumps.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[ScottyUK]

On safety-critical stuff I'd leave it as simple as possible - DOL if possible, Y-D or resistor if not. Semiconductors and the like are best avoided in run-to-destruction environments.


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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[dpc]

Any replacement starter or controller probably needs to be UL-listed as a fire pump controller.

The choice between full voltage and reduced voltage has more to do with your system than with the pump and motor.

You might be surprised to find that replacement parts are more available than imagined.

Certainly not a place to cut corners or get overly creative.

 

[jraef]

And when dpc said UL listed as a Fire Pump Controller, you must realize that that is a special UL listing, not a general one. There are a lot more rules regarding Fire Pump controllers and the decision in the '50s to use RV starters was probably not taken lightly. In fact, if the system were capable of reliably starting Across-the-Line in 1955, I'd say they would have done it and I seriously doubt your grid connection (or generator as the case may be) is any better now than it was then.

If you are hell-bent on replacing them, do it right.
Fire Pump Controllers mfrs:
Asco/Firetrol
Master Controls
Joslyn Clark
Hubbell ICD
Metron

JRaef.com
"Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems." Scott Adams
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[itsmoked]

More thoughts.. I can well imagine the power structure to the facility has been beefed up somewhat since 1950 so DOL may produce no problems whatsoever.

I can also imagine the case where the fire-pump system was just put in because it was a wise idea not a mandated system requiring UL this-and-that and a good system could still be created short of a full on UL-Fire rated control system, it all depends on the circumstances/application.

What is this system actually protecting? Does it charge hoses, or boost for fire sprinklers, or run a deluge system, lumber mill, office building?

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[davidbeach]

Keith, if you install something for which there are installation codes and standards, such as for fire pumps, you have to do it per code. It doesn't matter if you installed by your own choice; if it wasn't required you had the choice as to install or not install. Once the decision to install was made, the installation is required to meet all code requirements.