Selecting a fire pump

The need for a fire pump should be decided early—ideally as a

project scope is being developed. This article outlines a
process to determine if a fire pump is needed and explains how
to select a fire pump that meets the required pressure and flow.
BY ROBERT KRANZ, PE, PAGE APRIL 27, 2017
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A fire pump is needed to supply the flow and pressure demands to fire suppression
systems when there is an inadequate water supply. The need for a fire pump should be
decided early—ideally as a project scope is being developed. This article will outline a
process to determine if a fire pump is needed and explains how to select a fire pump that
meets the required pressure and flow.

To determine if a fire pump is needed, the fire suppression system demands must be
compared with the available water supply. If the supply cannot meet the demand, a fire
pump is required. Conversely, if the water supply can meet the pressure and flow
requirements, a fire pump is not needed.

Water can be supplied from a variety of different sources including public water mains,
dedicated fire protection fire mains, elevated tanks, etc. Each scenario requires a slightly
different approach, but first, it is important to determine if the water supply can
accommodate the flow demands. For simplicity, this article assumes that the water supply
contains an adequate volume to meet flow and duration needs.

When connecting to a fire main, hydrant-flow tests can be used to analyze the supply. Static
and residual pressures as well as flow rate data help to conclude if the supply system can
flow the amount of water needed and determine what residual pressure is available. It is
most helpful to get this test data as close to the fire suppression system riser as possible to
decrease errors resulting from hydraulic-calculation estimates.

When determining the worst-case flow, consider the flow demands from all of the fire
suppression systems. For this example, the worst-case flow demand is an automatic
sprinkler system in an office building. It is assumed that standpipe demand would be
supplied via a firefighting apparatus.

Sprinkler demands are calculated per NFPA 13 based on factors such as design area,
density, hose steam, overages, roof slope, and dry/pre-action system.
  Example: a light-hazard 5-story office building
 Sprinkler: 0.1 gpm/ft2 x 1500 ft2 = 150 gpm
 Sprinkler + 30% overage: 150 x 1.3 = 195 gpm
 Hose: 100 gpm
 Total: 295 gpm

The calculation shows a flow demand of 295 gpm. If the connected fire main cannot supply
this flow, then a water tank and pump will need to be provided to flow the required amount
to the sprinkler system. With the flow requirements known, the next step is to calculate the
pressure required to operate the sprinkler system.

The pressure required to meet the system demand is calculated by first considering the
pressure required at the most remote sprinkler and then adding all of the various pressure
losses back to the supply. The minimum pressure required at a sprinkler head is defined per
NFPA 13 and is typically 7 psi. Use a greater value to be conservative. Working back
toward the supply, the sprinkler system pressure can be estimated to be ~20 psi. This is a
decent guideline when supplying simple sprinkler systems. As sprinkler piping becomes
more complicated due to strange floor layouts, obstructions, and uneven ceiling heights,
increase the estimate accordingly.

Friction losses through the pipe from the sprinkler riser to the water supply can be estimated
using the Hazen-Williams formula defined in NFPA 13. Pipe sizes; pipe lengths; fittings and
their equivalent length of pipe; and C-factors can all be estimated to calculate a
conservative pressure loss from friction. Hazen-Williams calculates a friction loss per foot,
that value can then be multiplied by the total length of pipe to determine the pressure lost.
Elevation is an important factor to pressure losses because overcoming gravity requires a
significant amount of pressure: 0.433 psi is lost per foot of elevation needed to overcome.
Major appurtenances, such as backflow preventers and strainers, should also be
considered since pressure is lost as water flows through these devices. Product datasheets
can be used to estimate the pressure lost through these pipe appurtenances.

Below is an example of the calculation showing the supply pressure required:

 Remote sprinkler: 10 psi

 Sprinkler system pressure loss: 20 psi
 Friction losses from supply to sprinkler system riser: 10 psi
 Elevation: 21 psi
 Backflow preventer: 7 psi
 Safety factor: 10 psi
 Total pressure required: 78 psi

At this point, the flow requirement and required pressure has been calculated and must be
compared with the flow capacity and pressure available.

In this example, it is assumed the sprinkler system is connected to a city water main, and
the hydrant-flow test data shows 65-psi static and 40-psi residual while flowing 500 gpm.
This data shows that the water supply can adequately meet the flow requirements, but the
available pressure does not meet the required pressure. Therefore, a fire pump is required
to boost the pressure by 38 psi while meeting the required flow rate.

Fire pumps need to be selected based on their rated flow and pressure capacity. In our
example, the required flow is 295 gpm. Fire pumps are required to operate at 150% of their
rated flow. Therefore, it is not required to select a pump rated at the flow demand; this
would result in an oversized pump. For instance, if the flow demand is 295 gpm, a 200-gpm-
rated fire pump can technically supply that flow. The design point is just under 150% of its
rated curve. Typically, using a design point between 115% and 135% of rated flow is
preferred. In this example, a 250-gpm pump should be selected. Designing too close to the
150% curve may be problematic, with unseen issues or alterations over the life of the
system. Specific pump curves should be analyzed for peak efficiency.

Knowing that the pump needs to provide a 38-psi pressure boost, it is time to research
available pump curves with at least a 38-psi-rated total head. The total rated head is the
pressure boost supplied at the rated flow.

Many fire pump manufacturers provide selection tools on their websites where the required
flow and pressure can be input, and their results show the pumps offered that can meet
those requirements. NFPA provides limits on the performance of pumps. This ensures that
pump curves are not too steep, which would allow the pressure boost to drop quickly. At
150% of a pump’s rated capacity, it can provide no less than 65% of its rated total head.

As pumps flow at rates beyond their rated flow, the pressure they can provide decreases.
Some pumps have flatter curves where the pressure drops slowly as the flow increase, and
others lose pressure more quickly. It is important to consider where on the pump curve the
flow requirement is located. At the water-flow demand point, the pressure boost provided by
the pump needs to be greater than the pressure required.

For a final check, place the design point (required flow and pressure) on the manufacturer’s
pump curve. This point needs to be below the pump curve to ensure that the pump will meet
the needs of the suppression system.

There are likely many pumps offered that meet the performance requirements, but having
the pressure and flow requirements will allow the design to progress and help scope the
general size, cost, and space needed for the installation. Many other options, styles, and
arrangements of fire pumps exist and will work, but the fact remains that each must meet
the performance required by the suppression systems.

How to determine if a fire pump is needed:

1. Gather fire water-supply information

2. Calculate required flow
3. Calculate required pressure
4. If supply cannot meet flow, provide fire water tank and fire pump
5. If  pressure cannot be met, provide fire pump
6. If supply can meet required pressure and flow, no fire water tank or fire pump is
needed
 How to select a fire pump:

1. Gather fire water-supply information

2. Calculate required flow
3. Calculate required pressure
4. Calculate pressure boost required
5. Select pump where flow demand is between 100% and 150% of rated flow.
Preferably between 115% and 135%.
6. Select pump with performance curve where pressure boost is sufficient at flow
demand.

Robert Kranz, a fire protection engineer with Page, has fire protection experience in
corporate loss control as both a government-contractor owner-user and as a design
consultant. With nearly a decade of experience, Kranz has been responsible for performing
life safety analyses, maintaining and modifying existing fire protection systems, creating fire
protection design documents, and using fire-modeling software to evaluate unique property
and life safety risks. Page is a CFE Media content partner.

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 NFPA 20: Fire pump
design
When designing a fire pump, there are a number of factors to
keep in mind, particularly NFPA 20
BY TRACEY FOSTER, SET, CFPS, DEWBERRY, RALEIGH, NORTH
CAROLINA NOVEMBER 21, 2019
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Figure 1: A vertical inline fire pump is equipped with a flowmeter bypass and a low suction
throttling valve. Courtesy: Dewberry

Learning objectives: 

 Learn how to properly size a fire pump. 

 Understand the differences between various styles of fire pumps. 
 Know how to design fire pump piping to meet NFPA 20 requirements. 
 Appreciate cost variations between different pump styles and controller options. 

NFPA 20: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire

Protection protects life and property by providing requirements for the installation of fire pumps
to ensure that systems will work as intended to deliver adequate and reliable water supplies in a
fire emergency.  

A fire sprinkler system is a critical component of life safety in a building. The International

Building Code grants a number of exceptions when a building is “fully sprinklered,” such as
reductions in rated separations, reductions in fire hydrant flow demands, increased egress travel
distances and increased building heights and areas. These exceptions are permitted with an
expectation that, in the event of a fire, the sprinkler system will suppress the fire to a sufficient
degree that occupants can safely evacuate the building and the growth of the fire will be
controlled until the fire department arrives to fully extinguish it. 

Often, the municipal water system has sufficient pressure to operate the sprinkler system. A fire
pump is required when the available water source does not have adequate pressure. When a
sprinkler system relies on a fire pump, the performance of the system is dependent on the
pressure created by the pump.  

Because of the critical importance of the fire pump, careful consideration should be employed
when selecting and designing a fire pump. 
Sizing a fire pump

A fire pump’s size is dictated by the most hydraulically demanding area of the fire protection
system. In many high-rise buildings, this can be the automatic fire standpipe system
demand which requires 500 gallons per minute at 100 pounds per square inch at the top of the
most remote standpipe, plus 250 gpm for each additional standpipe, up to a maximum of
1,000 gpm for wet systems or 1,250 gpm for dry systems.  

For nonhigh-rise buildings, the most demanding area could be any number of different

hazards. Though the IBC requires buildings with a highest finished floor located more than
30 feet above the lowest fire department vehicle access to be equipped with Class III
standpipes or Class I if the building is fully sprinklered, NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation
of Standpipe and Hose Systems allows the standpipes to be manual type with the necessary
pressure provided by the fire department pumper truck through the fire department connection
(2013 NFPA 14, Section 5.4.1.1), thus eliminating the standpipe demand
from consideration. It is important to perform a hazard analysis of the building before attempting
to size the fire pump. 

For example, a new sprinkler system might be installed in a five-story medical office building

with a partial basement (overall building height of 69 feet). The building construction
is noncombustible, Type II-B and each floor is approximately 18,000 square feet. The basement
level contains electrical rooms, general storage rooms, a small oxygen storage room (250 square
feet) enclosed by a two-hour fire rating and a covered exterior loading dock.  

Floors one through four are comprised of offices, exam rooms and outpatient procedure

rooms. The fifth floor is a large mechanical penthouse with a roof slope of 3:12. The center core
areas on levels zero through four contain elevator lobbies, public
corridors and public restrooms. The building is equipped with a Class I wet manual standpipe
system. 

The predominate hazard classification for the overall building is that of light hazard occupancy,
however, the building contains spaces that warrant higher hazard designations. While the oxygen
storage room requires the highest density (0.30 gpm for extra hazard occupancy), this space is
not the most hydraulically demanding. The two-hour rated enclosure provides an effective
barrier to prevent fire spread outside of the room. For this reason, the calculated area need only
extend to the perimeter walls of the room (NFPA 13-2013, Section 11.2.3.3).  

The exterior loading dock requires the second highest

density: 0.20 gpm for ordinary hazard group 2. It also requires a 30% increase to the remote area
size because the system type must be dry due to exposure to freezing conditions (NFPA 13-2013,
Section 11.2.3.2.5). The estimated flow demand for this area is approximately
507 gpm (0.20 gpm x 1,950 square feet = 390 gpm + 30% for sprinkler head overflow
= 507 gpm). A preliminary hydraulic calculation for this area indicates a required system
pressure of 65 psi. 
The most hydraulically demanding area in this example is the level five mechanical room.
Though the density for this remote area is only 0.15 gpm (ordinary hazard group 1), the top floor
location requires additional pressure to overcome the head loss from elevation. The remote area
size is increased to 1,950 square feet due to a 30% increase for slopes exceeding 2:12 (NFPA 13-
2013, Section 11.2.3.2.4). The estimated flow demand for this area is
approximately 380 gpm (0.15 gpm x 1,950 square feet = 292.5 gpm + 30% for sprinkler head
overflow = 380 gpm). A preliminary hydraulic calculation indicates a required system pressure
of 90 psi. 

Once a hazard analysis and preliminary hydraulic calculations have established the fire flow and
pressure required to meet the standpipe or sprinkler system demand, a review of a recent water
flow test can identify if a fire pump is necessary. The water flow test used to size the fire pump is
required to have been completed within the last 12 months (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.6.1.2). 

In the example scenario, the water flow test indicates pressures of 54 psi static, 48 psi

residual, flowing at 940 gpm. When the required outside hose demand is added to the system
flow demand (380 gpm + 250 hose = 630 gpm) and plotted on a graph, the available city water
pressure is approximately 49 psi when flowing at 630 gpm. 

Typically, a minimum safety factor of 10 psi is required. To meet the demand, the fire pump size
should be at least 400 gpm rated at 51 psi (100 psi – 49 psi city pressure = 51 psi). Fire pumps
are typically sized by pressure range, therefore a 400 gpm pump with a revolutions per
minute speed of 3,550 can deliver a rated pressure from 40 to 56 psi without increasing the size
of the pump. Because there is no cost difference between the rated pressure of 51 and 56 psi, and
high pressure is not a concern, the 400 gpm pump rated at 56 psi is acceptable. Fire pump
pressures will be explored in further detail later.  

For exceptionally tall buildings, more than one fire pump may be necessary to deliver the
pressure required to the higher floors. NFPA 20 permits a maximum of three pumps to operate in
series (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.19.2.1).  

Fire pumps cannot operate in parallel because the discharge check valve is forced closed when

the pressure on the outlet side of the valve is higher than that on the inlet side. For this reason, it
is not possible to add a parallel fire pump to boost the pressure and/or flow to a system. 
 Figure 1: A vertical inline fire pump is equipped with a flowmeter bypass and a low suction
throttling valve. Courtesy: Dewberry

Selecting a fire pump

Selection of the fire pump depends on the building infrastructure and available space. The most
common choices for fire pump drivers are electric motors and diesel engines. Electric motors
requiring high horsepower are commonly run on 460 volt or higher, three-phase
power. Steam turbines are also an option, but are fairly uncommon. 

In buildings that are not equipped with enough power to supply an electric motor, a diesel fire
pump may be utilized. A fuel storage tank with the capacity to hold 1 gallon of fuel per
horsepower plus an additional volume to provide room for thermal expansion is required. A dike
must be provided beneath the fuel storage tank to contain any potential fuel spills. Often, a
pressure–relief valve is required on the discharge side of the pump to relieve excess pressure in
the event the engine revs out of control or if a combination of suction pressure and pump
pressure rise above a certain threshold. The diesel motor exhaust must be routed through a
muffler to the outside.  

A diesel fire pump must be located in a separate enclosure or in a room with direct access to
the exterior. The enclosure size is substantially larger than normally required for an electric fire
pump because of the stored fuel and batteries necessary to provide a backup power
source. Diesel fire pumps are more expensive to install and maintain because of the large number
of mechanical parts, which can be prone to failure. 

In buildings where the electrical capacity is not a concern, an electric driver is the preferred
choice. Electric motors are more compact, require fewer mechanical parts and produce fewer
negative environmental impacts. 

Though NFPA 20 provides guidelines for various types of pumps

(centrifugal, vertical shaft turbine, positive displacement and multistage multiport), centrifugal
fire pumps are — including horizontal split case and vertical in-line — the most common among
commercial buildings and thus highlighted in this example. Vertical in–line pumps are generally
more compact, with a smaller footprint. While horizontal split case pumps must be mounted on a
concrete housekeeping pad, vertical in-line pumps can instead be mounted on pipe stand
supports. For these reasons, vertical in–line pumps are often a preferred choice for replacements
or retrofits. 

The impeller rotation in a vertical in-line pump is less susceptible to mechanical damage from
water turbulence, allowing for more flexibility in the piping arrangement on the suction side of
the pump. Horizontal split case pumps are only permitted to have elbows and tees installed
perpendicular to the pump when the fitting is located at least 10 pipe size
diameters from the suction flange (NFPA 20-2013, Sections 4.14.6.3.1 to
4.14.6.3.3). These requirements are not applicable to vertical in-line styles. 

The impeller on a horizontal split-case pump is located in a separate casing in front of the
motor, allowing for easy access if maintenance is required. On a vertical in–line pump, the
impeller is beneath the motor, requiring the entire motor be raised and/or removed to access the
impeller. For this reason, it is recommended that a hoist beam or another means of lifting is
provided for vertical inline pumps greater than 30 horsepower. 
 Figure 2: Correct and incorrect orientation of fittings are depicted in the suction line of a
horizontal split-case pump. Courtesy: Dewberry

Fire pump pressures 

The total head of a fire pump is the energy imparted to the liquid as it passes through the pump,
usually expressed in psi. For fire pumps such as horizontal split-case and vertical in-line
centrifugal pumps that are required to operate under net positive suction head, the total head of a
fire pump is calculated by adding the suction head (city pressure) to the discharge head. The
discharge head of the pump varies along a performance curve that is determined by three limiting
points: the shut-off, the rating and the overload.  

The shut-off represents the maximum allowable total head pressure when the pump is operating
at zero flow; this is sometimes also referred to as the churn pressure. The rating is the listed
pressure and flow that the pump should produce when operating at 100% of pump capacity.
The total head pressure should not be less than 65% of the rated total head when the pump is
operating at 150% of rated flow capacity, this is the overload point. System flow demands that
exceed the overload point can expose the pump to possible cavitation and damage. 
A fire pump performance curve has an allowable operating range not to exceed 140% of the
rated pressure of the pump. Consider the previous example of a 400 gpm pump rated at 56
psi. This pump will produce 400 gpm at 56 psi when operating at 100% of pump capacity.
It also can produce a maximum volume of 600 gpm at 36 psi when operating at 65% of pump
capacity. The available volume and pressure vary along the pump curve.  

Referring back to the medical building example, the loading dock required an estimated

507 gpm at 65 psi. From the pump curve in Figure 3, the pump will deliver approximately 47 psi
when flowing 507 gpm. When this discharge pressure is combined with the city supply (47 + 48
psi = 95 psi), it is evident that the selected pump can easily satisfy the hydraulic demand for
the loading dock dry system. 

A fire pump’s churn pressure is the amount of pressure generated when the pump is operating at
zero flow. The churn pressure is combined with the static water pressure from the
connected source, resulting in a combined static pressure for which all components must be
rated. As an example, a churn pressure rating of 126% will produce 71 psi of static discharge
pressure from the aforementioned pump. When the churn pressure is combined with the static
city pressure, the total amount of static pressure expected on the discharge side of the pump is
122 psi (71 psi discharge pressure + 51 static city pressure = 122 psi).  

If the static pressure exceeds 175 psi (the pressure rating for standard sprinkler components and
maximum pressure allowed for fire hose valve connections), pressure–reducing valves may be
required unless all components of the system are rated for high pressure. It is important to
include the pump churn rating in the factors to consider when weighing all of the options to
make a proper pump selection. 

The cost of a fire pump is largely based on the horsepower rating of the pump and the type of
controller. Vertical inline pumps are usually more cost effective when compared to horizontal
split-case pumps in smaller sizes (less than 1,000 to 1,250 gpm ratings). It is recommended to
consult a local fire pump representative to compare the horsepower ratings between horizontal
split-case and vertical in-line pumps, as the horsepower rating can drive up costs related to
controls and electrical connections. 
 Figure 3: This example shows a performance curve of a 400 gpm pump rated at 56 psi.
Courtesy: Dewberry

Controllers
NFPA 20 requires that a fire pump be supplied by a continually available power source, usually
identified as an uninterrupted power source (NFPA 20-2013, Section 9.1.5 and 9.2.1). In many
cases, this requirement necessitates that a backup generator be provided as a secondary source in
the event of a power failure, in which case the fire pump controller must be equipped with an
automatic transfer switch. An ATS is an option on a fire pump controller that must be
specified; a controller does not come normally equipped with an ATS.  

The least costly type of fire pump controller is an “across-the-line” direct–

voltage controller without an ATS. This is the default controller that will usually be supplied
unless a different style has been specified. Many electrical engineers prefer “soft start” reduced-
voltage controllers instead, because these controllers reduce the immediate power draw
on the backup generator by slowly ramping up the voltage, allowing for a reduction in generator
size.  

Consult with the electrical engineer to discuss the pros and cons of the different controller styles.
The cost savings to the overall project may be greater by selecting the more expensive soft start
controller to reduce the size of the generator. 
 Figure 4: The section view of a vertical inline fire pump equipped with a flowmeter bypass and
an optional low-suction throttling valve. Courtesy: Dewberry

Fire pump design
An outside screw and yoke gate valve must be installed in the suction pipe to provide a means of
isolation from the incoming supply line (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.14.5.1). This is the only
device that is explicitly permitted to be installed in the suction line within 50 feet of the pump
suction flange, though NFPA 20 does provide allowances for other equipment, which may be
required by the authority having jurisdiction or by other sections of the standard. These valves
must be electrically supervised through the fire alarm system. 

Where the local AHJ and/or municipal water department requires a backflow preventer to be
installed in the fire pump suction line, it must be located a minimum distance of 10 times the
pipe size diameter from the pump suction flange (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.27.3). This distance
requirement is specific to backflow preventers equipped with outside screw and yoke gate
valves. If a backflow preventer is equipped with butterfly valves, the minimum distance to the
suction flange is increased to 50 feet (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.27.3.1). This increased distance
is provided to allow for dissipation of air bubbles that may form as water passes across the center
disk of a fully open butterfly valve. Other nontraditional methods of backflow prevention, such
as break tanks, are not addressed within the purview of this article. 

NFPA 20 also provides an exception for a pressure–sensing line connection to the suction line
when the AHJ requires a low–suction throttling valve to maintain positive pressure on the
suction piping (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.15.9.1). The low–suction throttling valve is installed
on the discharge side of the pump before the discharge check valve. 

On the discharge side of the pump, a check valve and an indicating control valve are required.
The control valve must be installed after the check valve (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.15.7). If the
fire pump is equipped with a flowmeter bypass, the bypass connection to the discharge pipe
should be between the check valve and control valve. Where fire pumps are installed in a series,
butterfly valves are not permitted to be installed between the pumps. 

A fire pump bypass is required on all fire pumps where the suction supply is of sufficient
pressure to be of material value without the pump (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.14.4). The
bypass must be at least as large as the discharge pipe and should be equipped with a check valve
installed between two normally open control valves oriented in a manner to prevent backflow to
the suction side of the pump. The bypass line should be connected before the outside screw and
yoke on the suction side and after the control valve on the discharge side of the pump. 

Every fire pump must be equipped with a metering device or fixed nozzles to accommodate
pump testing. This equipment must be capable of water flow not less than 175% of rated pump
capacity (NFPA 20-2013, Section 4.20.2.2). When the metering device is installed in a loop
arrangement for fire pump flow testing, an alternate means of measuring the flow must also be
provided. 

A flowmeter bypass is preferred in some municipalities as part of a water conservation effort.

The flowmeter bypass allows routine tests to be performed without discharging water to the
environment. The bypass line is equipped with a Venturi flowmeter located between two
normally closed butterfly valves. To achieve proper performance of
the flowmeter, manufacturer–specified minimum distances must be maintained between
the flowmeter and the adjacent normally closed butterfly valves. The flowmeter bypass must
be connected after the outside screw and yoke on the suction side and between the check valve
and the control valve on the discharge side of the pump. 

The minimum pipe diameter and number of outlets required for a fire pump test header is
dictated by the flow capacity of the pump. These minimum requirements are outlined in NFPA
20 (NFPA 20-2013, Table 4.26(a)). When the pipe between the test header and the pump
discharge flange exceeds 15 linear feet, the pipe diameter must be increased to the next size up. 

When transitional fittings are required to reduce or increase the pipe diameter at the pump flange,
care should be taken to select the proper reducing fitting. On the suction side of the pump, the
flanged reducer must be the eccentric tapered type, installed in a manner to avoid air
pockets. The reducer on the discharge side of the pump should be the concentric type.  

The fire department connection should tie into the system on the discharge side of the
pump. When an FDC is located upstream of a fire pump, the result can be high velocities that
increase water turbulence and expose the fire pump to damaging conditions. Many fire pumps
have maximum suction pressure ratings that can be exceeded by the pressures distributed
through the FDC. 
Figure 5: Shown is the proper arrangement of transitional fittings connected to the suction and
discharge of a horizontal fire pump. Courtesy: Dewberry

Fire pump enclosure

Lastly, when determining a location for a new fire pump enclosure, it is important to consider
service accessibility and proximity to the building exterior. A fire pump room
should be located on an exterior wall adjacent to the fire lane and above the floodplain. If the
enclosure must be located inside, it shall be accessible by a passageway with a fire rating equal
to that of the fire pump enclosure. NFPA 20 requires the fire pump room to have a
minimum two-hour fire rating when located in a high-rise building. The fire rating can be
reduced to a one-hour rating when the fire pump enclosure is located in a fully
sprinkled, nonhigh-rise building. 

The enclosure should be large enough to provide adequate clearance for installation and

maintenance of the fire pump and related components. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least
12 inches of clearance behind the fire pump and a minimum distance of 12 inches from the edges
of the entire fire pump assembly, piping and valves to the walls. If the room consists of multiple
sprinkler and/or standpipe risers, a minimum clear distance of 12 inches between risers should be
maintained to allow for easy access to equipment. An approach clearance of at least 3 feet should
be maintained in front of the fire pump and related equipment. Minimum clearances in
accordance with NFPA 70 must be maintained around energized electrical equipment.  
The fire pump room is intended solely for fire protection equipment and is not to be shared by
other mechanical trades. This rule is applicable to all equipment that is nonessential to the
operation of the fire pump except equipment related to domestic water distribution. NFPA 20
provides an exception for domestic water equipment to be located within the fire pump room.  

There are many factors to consider when designing a fire pump. NFPA 20 contains

valuable requirements, which should be strictly followed to ensure that the fire pump will
perform as intended, should it ever be needed. 

Related Articles
 Best practices for designing fire, life safety in government buildings
 Technology, automation and virtual engineering
 Best practices for designing electrical, power and lighting in government buildings

Tracey Foster, SET, CFPS, Dewberry, Raleigh, North Carolina

Author Bio: Tracey Foster is a senior fire protection designer for Dewberry. She is a NICET
level IV fire protection designer and an NFPA certified fire protection specialist. Foster has more
than 17 years of experience in the fire sprinkler industry as a designer, estimator, design
manager, project manager and company license holder.

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Fire Pump Sizing and Selection
March 14, 2014

Greg Trombold

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When starting a fire pump design, the most important item to consider is the water
supply. If you are utilizing the city water supply as the primary source for the pump, you
need to make sure that an accurate city water test is used. Some good rules to follow
are:

• Make sure the water test is less than a year old.

• Make sure the water test is performed as close to the tap point as possible.
• Make sure the test is taken during the time of highest water use for the area.

In a cold climate, testing during the summer may be a better choice, since residents are
watering their lawns and commercial properties are using more water for cooling.
Additionally, in highly residential areas, peak morning use typically occurs early in the
day, between 6:30 and 9 a.m., so that may be the best time for the test.

Another consideration regarding the water test is this: Did the city flow enough water to
meet 150 percent of the fire pump design point? This will ensure that the municipal
supply will provide enough volume to meet the system demand. If not, request a new
test using more hydrants or plot a water supply curve (see Figure 1).

If you are using a private water supply, lake, or ground-level storage tank, you must
remember that you are not permitted to use a suction lift with a fire pump. Thus, if the
water supply is located below the suction inlet to the fire pump, you may have to utilize
a vertical turbine fire pump in lieu of the other types of pumps available.

The last job parameter you need in order to size the fire pump is the required flow for
the systems the pump will be serving (sprinklers, standpipes, or other). For standpipe
systems, this flow is related to the type and size of the structure the pump is protecting.
In any case, the demand of the system will dictate the pressure and flow required.

Calculating standpipe system pressure

Two types of structure calculations for pressure are available. One is for high-rise
structures (buildings greater than 75 feet in height, measured from the lowest level of
fire department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupiable story) and one is for
non-high-rise structures. This is a factor because any high rise requires a pressure of
100 pounds per square inch (psi) at the top of the structure while flowing the rated
gallons per minute (gpm) of the fire pump. This discussion concentrates on high rises
because the pressure calculations for most non-high-rise buildings are determined
through the use of software specifically designed for fire sprinkler hydraulic calculations.
These programs are used by sprinkler contractors to keep their pipes as small as
possible, which controls the cost of the job.

When calculating the water pressure for a high rise, it is a good idea to use a calculation
sheet such as the one shown in Figure 2. If you use a calculation sheet, a few variables
need to be filled in:

• Pressure drop in the backflow prevention device and water meter

• Friction loss in the most remote standpipe when flowing 500 gpm
• Elevation change

For the example in Figure 2, the parameters are:

• Building height: 212 feet

• City water pressure: 45 psi static; 35 psi residual
• Required flow rate: 1,250 gpm

Assume that the pump is 1,250 gpm for this example. As you can see, the calculated
required pump psi is 180 psi.

A similar calculation can be used for a non-high rise, by changing the 100 psi to the end
head pressure (15 – 50 psi, depending on the head). However, the friction loss and pipe
sizing become an issue when doing this calculation, which is why most contractors and
sprinkler designers use software.

A note about pressure

One thing that some engineers forget is that the pump will discharge at a much higher
pressure at churn (no flow) than at the design point. Per NFPA 20 (2010): Standard for
the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, fire pumps are allowed to have a
40 percent rise in pressure from rated flow to churn. This is almost never the case, but
different pumps and speeds affect the churn pressure, so you should always look at a
curve to determine the shutoff pressure. The reason for reviewing this is typically to
understand what the maximum pressure (no-flow churn) will be in the system to
determine whether high-pressure fittings are needed.

Calculating pump gpm

To calculate pump gpm, two sizing methods are available, the standpipe method and
the sprinkler area calculation. In a fully sprinklered structure with standpipes, NFPA 14
(2010): Standard for the Installation of Standpipes and Hose Systems says that the first
standpipe requires 500 gpm and each additional standpipe requires 250 gpm, up to a
maximum of 1,000 gpm.

For example, a building with two standpipes would require a 750-gpm pump (500 gpm
for the first standpipe and 250 for the second), and a building with five standpipes would
require a 1,000-gpm pump because that is the maximum allowed by NFPA 14. (Note
that the local code or the insurance carrier may require more than the maximum allowed
by NFPA 14.)

Area calculations are more difficult. You need to know the sprinkler hazard
classifications of the building and its contents to determine the design density, and the
square footage (area of operation) of each hazard must be calculated. The five types of
hazard classifications from NFPA 13 (2010): Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
Systems are:

• Light hazard: Low quantity of combustibles with low heat release (e.g., churches,
hospitals, museums)
• Ordinary hazard 1: Moderate quantity of combustibles with moderate heat release and
eight-foot stockpiles (e.g., mechanical rooms, restaurant kitchens, laundry facilities)
• Ordinary hazard 2: Moderate quantity of combustibles with moderate heat release and
12-foot stockpiles (e.g., stages, large library stack rooms, repair garages)
• Extra hazard 1: High quantity of combustibles with high heat release and no flammable
or combustible liquids (e.g., aircraft hangers, saw mills)
• Extra hazard 2: High quantity of combustibles with high heat release and flammable
and combustible liquids (e.g., plastics processing, flammable liquids spraying)

Refer to NFPA 13 for a more thorough definition of the classifications.

Once the hazards have been determined, you next take the most remote 1,500-square-
foot area of sprinkler operation and multiply it by the density found in NFPA 13 Figure
11.2.3.1.5 (see Figure 3). Then you must add the inside and outside hose stream
demand to the area calculation. This information can be found in NFPA 13 Table
11.2.3.1.1 (see Table 1). Hose stream demand is the amount of water that must be
added to the sprinkler system hydraulic calculation to fill the hoses as well as ensure
enough supply to operate the sprinklers. Inside hoses are generally 1- to 1½-inch
standpipe hoses that may be connected to the sprinkler system for initial fire attack.

For example, if you have a 40,000-square-foot building that is all ordinary group 1, the
calculation would be 1,500 x 0.15 (density) = 225 + 250 (hose demand) = 475 gpm total
for the fire pump.

If the structure has multiple hazards, the hazard with the highest gpm calculation
dictates the pump size. Make sure you touch base with the insurance carrier for a
particular project, as they may require higher square footage or density requirements,
depending on the job.
Selecting the pump

Once you have calculated the gpm and psi requirements for the pump, you need to
determine the type of pump that works best for the job. The three most widely used
pumps are horizontal split case, inline and vertical turbine.

Horizontal split case pumps are also called double-suction fire pumps, because the
water pathways direct water to both sides of the impeller. They are the most common
type of fire pump on the market, partly because of the ratings available in this style of
pump, typically 250 through 5,000 gpm. This was the first type of pump used for fire
protection systems.

Inline fire pumps offer several benefits:

• Their size and design offer space savings.

• They offer the ability to increase the ratings allowed by NFPA 20 from a maximum of
499 gpm, to 750 gpm, to today’s unlimited rating. (The largest currently available is
1,500 gpm.)
• They offer a low cost of installation because they don’t require a base plate that needs
grouting.

Vertical turbine pumps are used in situations where the water supply is below the
suction flange of the fire pump, because NFPA 20 requires a positive suction pressure
to a fire pump.

The other item that needs to be determined is the type of drive: diesel or electric. Once
that is determined, you can find the appropriate pump model and horsepower in a
manufacturer’s catalog. I don’t recommend using pump curves to select fire pumps, as
every selection must be UL approved, which might lead to picking the wrong
horsepower for a particular selection.

One other note on fire pump selection is that selecting pumps that have a higher rpm is
not necessarily a misstep, because fire pumps only run once a week for a limited
amount of time, so the length of life will be about the same for a 1,750 rpm pump as for
a 3,500 rpm pump.

Power supply

If a generator is going to be used as a secondary power supply, the fire pump will
require a transfer switch, which must be dedicated to the fire pump. A typical design
would be to use a combination controller and transfer switch in a cabinet to avoid the
need for additional requirements laid out in NFPA 20. A reduced-voltage start also
should be considered when connecting to a generator to potentially reduce the size of
the generator. This is true even for normal power considerations, as large-horsepower
fire pumps with across-the-line starting put significant strain on power systems. The two
most commonly used by designers are solid state soft start and wye-delta closed
transition. These two have the best starting characteristics of the approved options on
the market.

Code issues

Following are some code requirements for fire pumps that you should factor into pump
selection and system design.

• Horizontal elbows or tees upstream of a fire pump must be 10 pipe diameters from the
suction flange on a split-case fire pump.
• Pumps must maintain a positive suction pressure at the suction flange.
• Electrical feeds to fire pump controllers must have a two-hour fire rating.
• Fire pumps can’t be used as pressure-maintenance pumps.
• Variable-speed pumps are allowed by the code.
• Fire pumps need to be installed in a 2-hour rated room.

Avoiding trouble

To avoid problems during the design and installation process, you should always do
your homework and consult with the authority having jurisdiction and insurance
representative before you begin.

Some jurisdictions have special requirements for fire pumps. For instance, New York
City requires a manual round rotor fire pump with every automatic fire pump, and the
Ohio EPA requires suction control valves on every fire pump to prevent going below 20
psi in the main. Insurance companies also may have unique requirements that go above
and beyond the code. FM Global, for example, requires diesel fuel tanks to be double
wall and have a spill basin, and every pump room must have a low pump room
temperature alarm.

Knowing these location-specific and unique issues before starting your design will help
the process go more smoothly and be more successful