Many inspection bodies have questions about the proper application and installation of electric fire pumps and fire pump control units. This article provides basic information on the five most common types of fire pump control devices, both their uses and their limitations.
Control devices for fire pumps
They are control panels that contain electrical components such as relays, switches, circuit breakers, and other devices intended to operate fire pumps. Devices within the fire pump control panel perform functions such as receiving alarm signals, such as pressure switches, sprinkler alarm valves, or remote fire alarm equipment; Activate the motor control devices to provide electrical power to the motors that drive the fire pumps and monitor the operation and performance of the fire pumps.
All controllers are fully assembled, wired, and tested by the manufacturer before being shipped from the factory. Some drivers must be shipped in departments for various reasons, such as shipping restrictions due to volume. The loaded controllers are fully assembled, wired, and tested by the manufacturer before being shipped from the factory. These controllers are reassembled in the field; Verify their correct assembly by the manufacturer or designated representative. Fire pump controllers use as service equipment are marked accordingly.
Full-Service Fire Pump Controllers
The most common type of controller is for an electric motor pump and is designed for use with standard size electrically driven centrifugal fire pumps using rotary winding or squirrel cage motors rated at 600 volts or less. Squirrel cage motor controls can be either a cross-line starter or a low voltage starter as indicated on individual rolls.
Motor-type fire pump controllers
They are used with motor-driven pumps. These controllers are generally provided to control diesel engines, but can also be provided to control positive-ignition engines (gasoline or natural gas).
Fire Pump Controllers Limited Service
Fire pump controllers prohibited for use with crossover-type squirrel cage motors 30 HP or less, 600 V or less The Authority of Jurisdiction (AHJ) should be consulted before installing limited service controllers from NFPA 13 The standard for the installation of sprinkler systems. limitations on where and how to use limited-service fire pump controllers.
Added Fire Pump Controllers
These controllers were previously known as “concentrated foam pump controllers” and are intended to start and stop added pump motors and are marked as “auxiliary pump control unit” or “limited service auxiliary pump control unit. “.
UL-added full-service fire pump controllers, motor-type fire pump controllers, limited-service fire pump controllers, and fire pump controllers have listed in the product category ‘Fire Pump Controllers. fires (QYZS). UL classifies fire pump controllers in this category using ANSI / UL 218, Safety Standard for Fire Pump Controllers, and ANSI / UL 508, “Safety Standard for Industrial Electrical Control Equipment.”
Fire Pump Controllers are designed for normal installation and use by NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Fixed Fire Protection Pumps, and NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®.
High Voltage Fire Pump Controllers
UL Listed in the product category “Control Pumps, Fire Over 600 Volts”. High voltage fire pump controllers have AC voltage ratings ranging from 2.2 kV to 2.5 kV, to 4.0 kV to 5.0 kV or 6.2 kV to 7.2 kV, and are designed to turn on and off types of automatic pumps or non-automatic Electrically operated fire extinguisher.
The main standards used to investigate high voltage fire pump controllers are UL 218, the safety standard for fire pump controllers, the safety standard for high voltage industrial control equipment, and NFPA 20, which is a standard for the installation of stationary fires. trainers. These controllers are designed for installation and use by NFPA 20, for the installation of stationary fire protection pumps.
Residential Fire Pump Controllers
Controllers designed to start, stop and protect centrifugal fire pumps in manufactured or single-family or two-family homes. These controllers are designed for electrically operated automatic or non-automatic pumps.
It is important to note that NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Fixed Pumps for Fire Protection, does not specifically refer to residential fire pump controllers. Residential fire pump controllers are designed for installation and use per NFPA 13D, the standard for installing sprinkler systems in single-family, two-family, and manufactured homes.
Residential Fire Pump Controllers are UL Listed under the “Residential Fire Pump Controllers” product category. These controllers are designed for use with 250V or fewer squirrel cage motors and have been tested for use in single-phase AC circuits.
Residential Fire Pump Controllers are using UL 218, Safety Standard for Fire Pump Controllers, Safety Standard for Industrial Electrical Control Equipment, and NFPA 20, Standard for Installing Fixed Pumps for Fire Protection, as applicable for service fire pump controllers.