FIRE PUMP

Article 6.95 Philippine

Electrical Code

Presented By: MARITES R. PANGILINAN

Topics to be discussed
 Governing codes
 Scope of Article 6.95 of PEC/ Not Covered
 What is a Fire Pump
 Most common type of fire pumps
When is a fire pump required
Automatic Fire Pump system and Operation
Planning for fire pump location
Power sources for electric motor-driven fire
pumps
 Design Considerations and Computations
 Summary
 GOVERNING CODES
 PEC Philippine Electrical Code
(Article 6.95)

 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC)

 NFPA 20 The Standard for the Installation
of Stationary Pumps for Fire
Protection
 IBC International Building Code
 IFC International Fire Code
 NFPA 5000 Building Construction and
Safety Code
 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
 NFPA 110 Standard for Emergency and
Standby Power Systems
6.95.1.1 Scope under Philippine Electrical Code
Article 6.95 covers the installation of electric
power sources and interconnecting circuits. It
also covers switching and control equipment
dedicated to fire pump drivers .
Article 6.95 doesn’t cover:
(1) Performance, maintenance, testing, or internal wiring
of the system components.

(2) Installation of pressure maintenance (jockey or

makeup) pumps; Article 4.30 governs that, whether or not
the fire pump supplies these pumps.

(3) Transfer equipment upstream of the fire pump transfer

switch(es).
WHAT IS A FIRE PUMP?
FIRE PUMP

 A fire pump is an equipment that is designed to

provide the required water pressure and flow to
sustain a fire protection system as part of the
emergency life safety system.

 The fire protection package consists of

 adequately sized fire pump(s),
jockey pump(s),
Necessary controllers and drives
disconnecting means, transfer switch(es),
Properly sized wiring and other
accessories.
One of the principal PEC requirements for
circuit protection is that you shutdown the
equipment rather than let supply conductors
melt from overload.

Article 6.95 requires just the

opposite….
The core principle of Art.
6.95 is that the fire pump
motor must run no matter
what – because it exist
solely to protect the facility
and people who work
there…..
 MOST COMMON TYPES
OF FIRE PUMPS

ELECTRIC
DIESEL
 MOST COMMON TYPES OF
FIRE PUMPS
 ELECTRIC
Electric driven fire pumps are
more compact.
Simple to design and maintain.
Less of Environmental
headache.
No need for external fuel
storage facilities. But,
Entirely infrastructure
dependent.
 DIESEL
 Requires combustible liquid fueling /
refueling area.
 Requires a dedicated fuel storage for
its operational sustainability (5.07
liter/Kw or 1 gal/HP plus 10% - NFPA
20). However,
 Diesel fire pump can operate
anywhere as long as there is fuel.
When is a Fire Pump
Required?
When is a Fire Pump Required?

The Fire Code of the Philippines requires

all buildings higher than 15 meters
(measured from the road) to be provided
with sprinkler system.

Multiple fire pumps are required as

dictated by the largeness and height of the
building.
AUTOMATIC FIRE PUMP
SYSTEM
AND OPERATION
Automatic Fire Pump System Uses
Two Pumps:
The main Fire Pump which delivers the large water
volume to the sprinkler system during fire.

 The smaller (low flow/ high head) Jockey Pump that

maintains the pressure of the system during normal
condition (compensating for normal low water volume
losses due to plumbing leaks).

 Operation - In case of fire however, and sprinkler

head(s) opens, there will be a considerable pressure
drop in the system over what the Jockey Pump can
supply for, then the main Fire Pump starts to deliver
the high water volume required to quench the fire.
PLANNING FOR FIRE
PUMP LOCATION
 Fire Pumps must be
protected against:

 Explosion and Fire

 Rain and Sun
 Flooding and Earthquake
 Vandalism and other conditions.

Therefore, fire pump location should be

selected properly.
Planning Considerations should
include:
 Location for the Fire Pump in a room with at
least:
• 2 hrs. of fire rating or separation (for buildings
not sprinklered and high rise)
• 1 hr. (for sprinklered building but not including
high rise)
• 15.3 meters (50’) away from the building when
installed outdoors. (NFPA 20 Section 4.12, IBC
Section 9.3)
• For special requirement for High Rise, refer to
NFPA 4.12.1.1.2 (10)
 Fire Pump rooms must be dedicated for the
fire pump and its associated equipment only.
Power Sources Requirement
for an Electric Motor Driven
Fire Pump
Section 6.95.1.3 Electric motor-driven fire pumps
shall have a reliable source of power

Reliable power supply As defined by NFPA 20

(Annex A) means:
• The power supply has not had any shutdowns
for longer than 4 hours in the previous year.
• Has not experienced power outages that were
not caused by natural disasters or grid
failures.
• The fire pump has not been supplied by
overhead conductors.
 An alternate power supply from a standby
generator as an emergency power alternative
source.
Section 6.95.1.3 (a) Individual Sources

A single power supply source to the fire pump(s)

under Section 6.95.1.3 of the PEC mandates that

 this be from a reliable power source

 capable of carrying indefinitely the sum of the

locked-rotor current (LRC) of the fire
pump(s),the pressure maintenance (Jockey)
pump motor(s) and the full load current of the
associated fire pump accessory.
Section 6.95.1.3 (a)(1) Electric Utility Service
Connection
The fire pump(s) shall be permitted to be:
 Supplied by a separate service, or a tap
ahead of and not within the same cabinet,
enclosure, or vertical switchboard section of
the disconnecting means (see Figure A)

Section 6.95.1.3 (a)(2)

• “On-site Power Production Facility’’ that is
continuously running ( a standby generator
does not meet this requirement)

Section 6.95.1.3 (b) Multiple Sources

• Multiple Sources or feeders from two or more
sources.
FIGURE A
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

A. Power Conductors connected to the

Fire Pump and Motor
B. Voltage Drop of conductors
C. Overcurrent Device Selection
D. Transformers
E. Pump controllers
A. Code Requirement in Sizing
Conductors connected to the Fire Pump
 125% of the full load current of the fire pump
motor and jockey pump loads plus 100% of
the auxiliary loads.
 Wire sizes shall be adjusted to maintain a
voltage drop
 Starting Of not more than 15% (using
the locked rotor value) from the source
to the controller (line side)
 Running 5% voltage drop using 115%
of the full load current of the fire pump
from the source to the motor terminal
which ever conductor size is larger.
A1. Steps in Sizing Conductors
1. Determine the motor full load current from the
motor nameplate or from the Table
2. Multiply the full load current by 1.25 per
Table 4.30.14.4 Full load current PEC
3. Select supply conductor size per Table
3.10.1.16 PEC based upon the current
calculated in step 2. Use 75C column as
appropriate.
 3a. Conductors from controller to wye
delta or Part winding motor (6 leads)
3a1. Part winding – Each conductor
carries 50% of the motor full load curent
3a2. Wye delta – Each conductor carries
58 percent of the motor full load current.
3a3. Parallel conductors may be required
for large motors

4. Verify that the conductor size will provide

compliance with the voltage drop limitation
5. Consult motor manufacturers connection
diagram for proper connection to controller.
B.VOLTAGE DROP
B.VOLTAGE DROP FORMULA
Cmil= (1.732 x K x I x D) / VD

Where:
Cmil – is the conductor size in circular mils
K – is the conductor constant 12.9 ohms for copper
I – is the current through the conductor
D – is the distance of the pump from the source in
feet to controller or motor terminal
VD – is the allowable voltage drop

Note:
1 circular mil is approximately equal to:
5.067×10−4 square millimetres
Section 6.951.14 (e) & (f) Wiring Methods
Conductor runs shall be protected, either run
outside the building or in Rigid Steel conduit or
intermediate conduit encased in 50mm (2’’)
concrete when run inside the building .
 All wiring from motor controllers to the pump
motors shall be in:
• rigid metal conduit or
• intermediate metal conduit or
• liquid tight flexible metal conduit or
• liquid tight flexible non-metallic conduit type LFNC-B or
• fire resistant cables (MI – mineral insulated) – can be
used to add to the reliability of the fire pump wiring.
 1 hour fire rating is required for Fire pump
wiring.
C. Overcurrent protection for individual
sources must comply with 6.95.1.4(a) or (b):
(1) Individual Sources. The OCPD(s) must be
selected or set

 to carry indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor

current of the largest fire pump motor and
pressure maintenance pump motor(s), plus 100
percent of the full-load current of the other pump
motors and fire pump accessory equipment.

 If the locked-rotor current value doesn’t

correspond to a standard OCPD size, use the
next standard OCPD size per 2.40.1.6 of PEC. The
requirement to carry the locked-rotor current
indefinitely doesn’t apply to fire pump motor
conductors.
(2) Assemblies. Overcurrent protection must be
provided by an assembly listed for fire pump use. The
OCPD must not open:

 Within 2 minutes at 600 percent of the full-load

current of the fire pump motor(s).

With a re-start transient of 24 times the full-load

current of the fire pump motor(s).

Within 10 minutes at 300 percent of the full-load

current of the fire pump motor(s).

Also, the trip point for the circuit breaker must not be
field adjustable.
Sizing the automatic transfer switch
1. Initially, size the ampere rating of the transfer switch to be equal to or next
size greater than the required feeder conductors.
2. Verify that the over current device used on the utility line side, CB1, does
not exceed the maximum allowable circuit breaker or fuse size allowed for
the transfer switch. If it does, increase the transfer switch rating to one that
includes CB1 as an allowable upstream breaker.

Sizing the generator circuit breaker

The objectives for sizing and selection of this overcurrent device are:
1) Where a generator serves the fire pump, PE C 4.30.1.6 permits you to use
the values in Table 4.30.14.4. Instead of setting the circuit breaker at locked
rotor, Table 4.30.4.2 sizes the circuit breaker at a maximum of 250 percent of
the largest motor, Then the FLC of all the other mootrs (jockey pumps) that
are being fed by the generator must be added.
3) selectively coordinating this breaker with locked rotor protection within the
fire pump controller, and
4) having sufficient available fault current from the generator to clear a
faulted fire pump circuit without opening other branches of the generator
supplied emergency system.
D. Transformers – Section 6.95.1.5
A) SIZE –Section 6.95.1.5(a)
If a transformer supplies an electric fire pump motor,
size it at least 125 percent of the sum of the fire pump
motor(s) and pressure maintenance pump(s) motor
loads, plus 100 percent of the ampere rating of the fire
pump’s accessory equipment [695.5(A)].

B) OCPD Section 6.95.1.5(b)

Size the primary OCPD to carry indefinitely the sum of
the locked-rotor current of the fire pump motor(s) and
pressure maintenance pump motor(s), plus 100
percent of the ampere rating of the fire pump
accessory equipment. Secondary overcurrent
protection isn’t permitted. The requirement to carry
the locked-rotor currents indefinitely doesn’t apply to
fire pump motor conductors.
Pump Controller
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR FIRE PUMP
CONTROLLERS
a. Service Disconnect – Special rules pertaining to the service disconnects In
order to minimize inadvertent disconnection
b. Conductor Protection
1. Special overcurrent and physical protection requirements for the power
supply conductors exist to minimize potential interruption during a fire
2. Coordinated overcurrent protection of the motor branch circuit conductors
to trip the circuit breaker in the fire pump controller rather than an
upstream device
c. No motor overload protection – Fire pump motor protection is limited to
locked rotor and short circuit protection only
d. Critical components- Certain conductors and electrical components are not
protected from overcurrent in the interest of getting a distressed pump going
e. No Ground Fault Protection – Ground Fault protection is prohibited
f. Control Circuits:
1. External control circuits that extend outside the fire pump room shall be
arranged so that failure of any external circuit (open or short circuit ) shall
not prevent operation of pump(s) from all other internal or external means
 Pump controller is required to be near the
pump which it controls.
• Prudence dictates that the controller
should be installed at least 300mm (12”)
above ground to avoid water damage.
 Pump controllers need to be listed.
 Pump controller normally starts the pump
motor on reduced voltage but It is also
equipped with a bypass switch that shunts
the starter in case of emergencies. Hence, the
motor is started on a Full Voltage Across the
Line resulting in the locked rotor current.
L
I
S
T
E
D
 The PEC requires the fire pump to run at up to a
locked rotor current which is about 6 times the full
load current.
 Protective device (from the normal power source)
shall be rated to carry the locked rotor
current.(preferably with an instantaneous trip and no
ground fault protection).
Protective device shall be locked in the closed
position to avoid accidental power interruption to the
pump. Disconnects to the fire pump shall be marked
“Fire Pump Disconnecting Means”. Letters shall be at
least 25mm (1”) in height and visible without opening
the enclosure.
If an alternate power supply is from a standby
generator set, the code does not require it to be sized
to carry the locked rotor current.
Reduced starter tends to address and
alleviate the burden of the locked rotor
current on the generator set (since the
generator set is only required to take on the
Fire Pump running current).
Listed transfer switch (color red for fire
pump) is required to be located at the pump
room for the transfer of power to the
emergency generator supply. Again, the
protective device at the generator supply is
marked and can be locked in the closed
position, to avoid nuisance power
interruption.
SUMMARY

1. Ensure continuity of power.

It is very important that the fire pump is powered continuously
and inadvertent power disconnection is averted.

2. Lock the disconnecting means.

Make sure that the disconnecting means is not accidentally
exercised, interrupting the power to the fire pump.

3. Allow the locked-rotor current.

 The overcurrent device should be set to allow locked
rotor current to flow without tripping.
 The conductors are sized to no less than 125% of the
full load current of the fire pump motor and 100% of the
auxiliary loads that the circuit supplies.
SUMMARY CONTINUATION

4. Carry only the full load current.

The overcurrent protection device between the generator
and the fire pump controller is not required to carry the
locked rotor load of the fire pump motor.
5. Design feeding through a transformer.
 The primary overcurrent protection device has to be
set to allow the locked rotor current of the fire pump
and the full load of the associating loads.
 The secondary overcurrent protection is not allowed.
6. Account for voltage drop.
The voltage drop at the fire pump controller be 15% or
less.
7. Protect conductors.
 The conductors supplying the fire pump need to be
protected from physical damage.
 The conductors should be routed outside the
building if feasible.
 If routed inside the building, the conductors have to
be encased in 2 in.(50mm) of concrete.
The Fire Pump being an essential element in
the Life Safety system must be maintained
every now and then. As the saying goes,

“ KEEP THE PUMP

RUNNING NO
MATTER WHAT ’’
END OF PRESENTATION