Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
(OP)
I was under the impression that an alternate power supply such as a back up generator was mandatory for electric drive fire pumps. Reading NFPA 20, 2007 ed, 9.3.1 "Except for an arrangement described in 9.3.6, at least one alternate source of power shall be provided when the height of the structure is beyond the pumping capacity of the fire department apparatus."
First of all this seems to suggest alternate power supplies are sometimes optional.
And second of all, could someone please educate me on the relevance of 9.3.6 to 9.3.1?
Dave
First of all this seems to suggest alternate power supplies are sometimes optional.
And second of all, could someone please educate me on the relevance of 9.3.6 to 9.3.1?
Dave





RE: Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters' Lives Too!
RE: Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters' Lives Too!
RE: Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
Here is the same section from the 2010 edition
9.3 Alternate Power.
9.3.1 Except for an arrangement described in 9.3.3, at least
one alternate source of power shall be provided where the
height of the structure is beyond the pumping capacity of the fire department apparatus
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters' Lives Too!
RE: Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
RE: Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
Regarding high rise buildings I've only done one that fit the definition of "high rise" in my life and that was a seven story building that barely made it. We used a generator and automatic transfer switch on that project.
Savannah, Georgia requires alternate sources of power 100% of the time on all fire pumps without exception. Reasons are two fold; hurricanes can interrupt power. A huge percentage of Savannah's income is from tourism and a large number of buildings predate the civil war and I cringe thinking about fire roaring through 200 plus year old attics taking the entire historic district out. Also got to watch where you dig under some streets there's long forgotten cemeteries.
Installing sprinklers at an old school, where General W.T. Sherman had his headquarters, a fitter I work with discovered a long forgotten solid brass bell still hanging in the bell tower that had been closed since the civil war. It's dated in the 1760's (I forget the exact date) and weighs around 300 lbs. It's now in a museum. I love old jobs like this it kind of makes you feel like Indiana Jones.
RE: Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?
RE: Alternate Power Source for Fire Pumps - Mandatory?