GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 20-19

4.14.7.2 The pump room or pump house shall be provided 4.16 Suction Pipe and Fittings.
with a floor drain that will discharge to a frost-free location.
4.16.1* Components.
4.14.8 Guards. Couplings and flexible connecting shafts shall
be installed with a coupling guard in accordance with Section 7 4.16.1.1 The suction components shall consist of all pipe,
of ANSI B11.19, Performance Requirements for Safeguarding. valves, and fittings from the pump suction flange to the
connection to the public or private water service main, storage
4.15 Pipe and Fittings. tank, or reservoir, and so forth, that feeds water to the pump.
4.15.1* Steel Pipe. 4.16.1.2 Where pumps are installed in series, the suction pipe
for the subsequent pump(s) shall begin at the system side of
4.15.1.1 Steel pipe shall be used aboveground except for the discharge valve of the previous pump.
connection to underground suction and underground
discharge piping. 4.16.2 Installation. Suction pipe shall be installed and tested
in accordance with NFPA 24.
4.15.1.2 Where corrosive water conditions exist, steel suction
pipe shall be galvanized or painted on the inside prior to instal‐ 4.16.3 Suction Size.
lation with a paint recommended for submerged surfaces.
4.16.3.1 Unless the requirements of 4.16.3.2 are met, the size
4.15.1.3 Thick bituminous linings shall not be used. of the suction pipe for a single pump or of the suction header
pipe for multiple pumps (designed to operate together) shall
4.15.2* Joining Method. be such that, with all pumps operating at maximum flow
4.15.2.1 Sections of steel piping shall be joined by means of (150 percent of rated capacity or the maximum flow available
screwed, flanged mechanical grooved joints or other approved from the water supply at the lowest permissible suction pres‐
fittings. sure, as discussed in 4.6.2.3.1), the gauge pressure at the pump
suction flanges shall be 0 psi (0 bar) or higher.
4.15.2.2 Slip-type fittings shall be permitted to be used where
installed as required by 4.16.6 and where the piping is mechan‐ 4.16.3.2* The requirements of 4.16.3.1 shall not apply where
ically secured to prevent slippage. the supply is a suction tank with its base at or above the same
elevation as the pump, and the gauge pressure at the pump
N 4.15.2.3 The piping around check valves installed per 4.32.4.1, suction flange shall be permitted to drop to –3 psi (−0.2 bar) at
orifice unions, orifice plates, flowmeters, and other devices that 150 percent of rated flow with the lowest water level after the
have restricting orifices shall have a means to perform an inter‐ maximum system demand and duration have been supplied.
nal inspection or a means to disassemble the piping to allow for
the internal inspection of the restricting orifice(s). 4.16.3.3 The size of that portion of the suction pipe located
within 10 pipe diameters upstream of the pump suction flange
N 4.15.3 Restricting Orifice Identification. Check valves in‐ shall be not less than that specified in Section 4.28.
stalled per 4.32.4.1, orifice unions, orifice plates, and other
devices with a restricting orifice shall have a permanent tag or 4.16.4* Pumps with Bypass.
other means of identification indicating that a restricting 4.16.4.1 Where the suction supply is of sufficient pressure to
orifice is present. be of material value without the pump, the pump shall be
4.15.4 Concentrate and Additive Piping. installed with a bypass. (See Figure A.4.16.4.)

4.15.4.1 Foam concentrate or additive piping shall be a mate‐ 4.16.4.2 For multistage multiport pumps, a bypass shall be
rial that will not corrode in this service. installed between the pump suction and the first outlet port
and between sequential outlet ports wherever the bypass can
4.15.4.2 Galvanized pipe shall not be used for foam concen‐ provide pressure that is of material value without the impeller.
trate service. (See Figure A.4.16.4.)
4.15.5 Drain Piping. Drain pipe and its fittings that discharge 4.16.4.3 The size of the bypass shall be at least as large as the
to atmosphere shall be permitted to be constructed of metallic pipe size required for discharge pipe as specified in
or polymeric materials. Section 4.28.
4.15.6* Piping, Hangers, and Seismic Bracing. 4.16.5* Valves.
4.15.6.1 The support of pipe and fittings shall comply with the 4.16.5.1 A listed outside screw and yoke (OS&Y) gate valve
requirements of Chapter 17 of NFPA 13. shall be installed in the suction pipe.
4.15.6.2 The seismic protection, where applicable, of pipe and N 4.16.5.2 Valve Closure Time.
fittings shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 18 of
NFPA 13. N 4.16.5.2.1 Listed indicating valves shall not close in less than
5 seconds when operated at maximum possible speed from the
4.15.7* Cutting and Welding. Torch cutting or welding in the fully open position.
pump house shall be permitted as a means of modifying or
repairing pump house piping when it is performed in accord‐ N 4.16.5.2.2 Valves with an automatic means to operate the valve
ance with NFPA 51B. shall not close in less than 5 seconds when operated at maxi‐
mum possible speed from the fully open position.

Shaded text = Revisions. Δ = Text deletions and figure/table revisions. • = Section deletions. N = New material. 2019 Edition