City of Stockton, CA - Fire Pump Regulations

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Fire Pumps

Some things to include on the sprinkler plans for diesel driven pumps:

The Stockton Fire Department requires both a flow test meter to be used during times of drought and an outlet or test header to test "real" water for certifying the pump after installation, then, every three years according to NFPA 25 5-3.3, 1998 Edition. Please locate the outlet on the discharge side of the meter. In this way we can verify pitot values and use the meter to first set the desired flow. Please provide this detail on your plans.
Provide a detail showing supports and bracing for the diesel storage tank. See the California Fire Code Section 7902.1.14.5, 1998 Edition.
Show protection for storage tank supports. A detail or descriptive notes are required. See CFC Section 7902.14.4. We have accepted a filled concrete base. However, Thermo-12 Gold Pipe and Block insulation may be easier to install. It has a service temperature of 1200 degrees F and is manufactured by Schuller Mechanical Insulations Division (1-800 654-3103).
Show the vent pipe for the storage tank and that the pipe terminates at least 12 feet above the ground. See CFC Section 7902.1.11.4. A rain cap is also needed.
Show on the plans or with a general note how fuel lines will be protected from damage by installing them in unistrut channel, PVC, or with equivalent protection. See CFC Section 7901.11.1.1 and NFPA 29 8-4.2, 1999 Edition.
Tilt the tank (provide detail) so that 5% of the diesel fuel is located in a sump which cannot be used by the diesel engine. See NFPA 20 8-4.5.
Provide a detail of the Pump House. Include the construction of the building (H occupancy). Include details of drainage and ventilation. Also clearly indicate how the tank will be filled. Arrangements that require the fill line to cross the diesel engine and/or pump are not permitted.
Note: A Fire Department Permit is required to store in excess of 25 gallons of fuel inside of the building.

Fire alarm function tests must include the following for diesel driven pumps:

Pump override. (Note 1)
Low battery. (Note 2)
Low oil pressure. (Note 3)
Failure to start. (Note 4)
Engine over speed. (Note 5)
High temperature. (Note 6)
Pump running - (Note 7)

Note 1 - Pump override. Pump override occurs whenever the selector switch is set to "manual" or "off". This should be treated as a separate supervisory signal to the FACP and called, simply, "Pump Override". The next 5 failure signals, Notes 2 through 6, are treated as a single trouble signal to the FACP.

Note 2 - Low battery. A switch at the controller allows you to disengage Battery 1 or Battery 2. You will get the red light on the controller and the alarm bell located on the controller will sound. Remember to push the reset switch. To get a trouble signal to the FACP, battery trouble contacts must be connected to the common trouble contacts. Except for pump override and pump running, we group all the various trouble signals together as one "unknown trouble".

Note 3 - Low oil pressure. The low oil pressure alarm light on the controller is normally obtained by switching the start position to "manual". Reset occurs automatically when the engine is started. To get a real audible alarm and a trouble signal to the FACP, you must have low oil pressure while the diesel engine is operating, and this is really a bad idea! The new Cutler-Hammer Fire Pump Controllers know when the controller is set to manual. So to complete this test, you must jumper across the oil pressure switch.

Note 4 - Failure to start. One method to test this feature is to disconnect the power to the fuel pump and attempt to obtain a start. The diesel engine will attempt to start 3 times: Battery A then Battery B and repeated for 3 full cycles. Never disconnect the batteries to make this test! With the Cutler-Hammer Fire Pump Controllers, disconnect the crank wires to the diesel engine's starter solenoid. This is done at the controller. A magnetic pickup on the fly wheel of the diesel engine would normally terminate cranking power. However, if the diesel motor has not started, you can see the relys in the controller alternately light up as switching occurs from Battery A to Battery B, and repeated for the 3 full cycles.

Note 5 - Engine overspeed. A switch at the diesel engine allows you to simulate engine overspeed. You will get the red light on the controller, audibles, and a signal to the FACP. The engine will shut down. Remember to push the reset switch.

Note 6 - High temperature. We really do not want the engine to overheat in order to test this function, so we just jumper across the electrical connection to test electrical connections.

Note 7 - Pump running. Stockton Fire Department requires that pump running be an alarm signal, not a supervisory signal.