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CHAPTER 6
FIRE PUMP’S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In this project, the sizing of motor fire pumps is electric motor-driven
fire pump as required by the fire protection engineer. As an electrical
designer govern by the Latest Philippine Electrical Code of 2017 at
the Article 6.95 Fire Pumps Covers at the PEC 6.95.1.1 Scope-(A)
Covered. This article covers the installation of the following:
(1) Electric Power Sources and interconnecting circuits
(2) Switching and control equipment dedicated to fire pump
drivers
Since the plan of emergency power for the building design to be
100% back-up power; therefore, the designer uses the “Article
6.95.1.3 Power Source(s) for Electric Motor-Driven Fire Pumps. Elec-
tric Motor-Driven fire pumps shall have reliable source of power” by
obtain this provision we will be guided accordingly by the following
provision, State that;
(a) Individual Sources. Where reliable, and where capable of
carrying indefinitely the sum of the locked-rotor current of
the fire pump motor(s) and the pressure maintenance pump
motor(s) and the full-load current of the associated fire
pump accessory equipment when connected to this power
supply, the power source for an electric motor-driven fire
pump shall be one or more of the following.
(1) PEC 6.95.1.3(A)(1) Electric Utility Service Connection
(2) PEC 6.95.1.3(A)(2) On-Site Power Production Facility
(3) PEC 6.95.1.3(A)(3) Dedicated Feeder
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With the provision above, see single line diagram of fire pump system
below;
Figure 6.1 Fire Pump Electrical System Diagram
6.1 Fire Pump and Jockey Pump Electrical Rating
From the Fire Protection Plans the fire pump and jockey pump
rating as follow:
Fire Pump – 50Hp, 400 V, 3-Phase, 60Hz
Jockey Pumps - 7.5Hp, 400 V, 3-Phase, 60Hz
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6.2 Overcurrent Protection and Circuit Conductor Calculation
Conductor and overcurrent protection (OCP) of fire pump and jockey
pump, the rules required in PEC Section 6.95.1.6(c)(1), (2), PEC Sec-
tion 6.95.1.5(c)(2), PEC Section 6.95.1.6(c)(d) and PEC Section
4.30.2.2(a) were followed.
Step 1: Full Load Current at PEC Table 4.30.14.4 the full load
current of fire pump and jockey pump are found to be 83 A and
14 A respectively.
Step 2: Calculate the current carrying capacity and select the
standard size of circuit conductors. Complying with the require-
ment of PEC Article 4.30.2.2(a) and PEC Article 6.95.1.6(c)(2),
the current carrying capacity of circuit conductors for both fire
pump and jockey pump are computed as follows:
IJOCKEYPUMP = 14 A x 1.25 = 17.5 A
Use: 3 x 3.5 mm2 THW (PEC Table 3.10.1.16) in 15 mmΦ IMC
(PEC Appendix C Table C4)
IFIREPUMP = 83 A x 1.25 =103.75 A
Use: 3 x 30 mm2 THW (PEC Table 3.10.1.16) in 32 mmΦ IMC
(PEC Appendix C Table C4)
Note:
PEC Section 6.95.1.6(c)(d) does not require the power circuit
of fire pump to have automatic protection against overload, ex-
cept as provided in PEC Section 6.95.1.5(c)(2). Hence, no over-
load protection was provided for the power supply of fire pump
used in this project.
Step 3: Feeder Conductor for Fire Pump and Jockey Pump
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PEC Article 6.95.1.6(c)(1) shall have a minimum rating of
125% of the sum of fire pump and jockey pump’s full load cur-
rent.
IFEEDER = (83 A + 14 A) x 1.25 = 121.25 A
Use: 3 x 38 mm2 THW (PEC Table 3.10.1.16) in 32 mmΦ IMC
(PEC Appendix C Table C4)
Step 4: Feeder Overcurrent Protection
PEC Article 6.95.1.5(c)(2) Feeder Overcurrent protection de-
vice shall be selected or set to carry indefinitely the sum of
locked-rotor currents of the fire pump motor and pressure
maintenance pump motor.
PEC Table 4.30.14.5(b), the following locked-rotor current is
obtained used in the calculation of overcurrent protective de-
vice rating:
FIRE PUMP LOCK-ROTOR CURRENT
ILRC-FIREPUMP =482 A
JOCKEY PUMP LOCK-ROTOR CURRENT
ILRC-JOCKEYPUMP =84 A
IOCPD =ILRC-FIREPUMP +ILRC-JOCKEYPUMP
IOCPD =482 A+84 A=566 A
Use: 600 A, Molded Case Circuit Breaker
Wiring Method of Feeder Lines and Others related to fire pump sys-
tem must comply to PEC 6.95.1.14(e), PEC 6.95.1.14(f)(1), PEC
6.95.1.14(f)(2) and PEC 6.95.1.14(f)(3) respectively.
