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Recently a client determined that they no longer want diesel fire pumps to be provided on their projects. They want electric fire pumps with a diesel generator to ensure reliable power. (Please do not ask why state this desire.)
If a diesel generator is provided strictly for the electric pump assembly, what mechanism do you utilize to turn the generator on when fire pump needs to start up? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
9 Comments
Tim D
8/28/2023 08:27:19 am
You have two options to accomplish this. I have seen both used in real world applications
Glenn Berger
8/28/2023 08:40:30 am
ATS Fire Pump Controller had been specified. Electricals do not automatically start this generator since it will not see any load unless the fire pump runs (Catch-22 issue here).
Bill
8/28/2023 08:35:55 am
The fire pump controller must be ordered with a transfer switch. The electrical engineer needs to review the equipment to ensure the generator is properly sized. We have had situations where the generator is undersized because the property owner decides to add other building devices to the generator as an afterthought. 8/28/2023 08:46:09 am
You only need the generator to operate in the event of a power failure and a coincident fire event. I would suggest that you start the generator on an AND condition with a control module input to the starter. The transfer switch will already recognize the absence of primary power, you just need to add an alarm condition. 8/28/2023 08:51:03 am
The question above is what mechanism do you utilize to turn the generator on when fire pump needs to start up, not the pump.
Jesse
8/28/2023 09:23:39 am
This kind of convoluted. And Glenn is right on the Catch-22. We've used the ATS before but that's when the controller has a normal source of power.
Chad
8/28/2023 09:57:21 am
Yeah, the generator will just have to run any time normal power isnt present at the ATS, not just when there is a call for the pump to run. Cannot think of a compliant way otherwise... of course you could add and logic but that seems....suboptimal 8/28/2023 10:52:26 am
Twenty years ago I had a similar system with a whole building generator... The fire pump controller/ATS had a set of contacts for generator start... the big issue was that the fire pump was quite remote so starting and stopping the generator during fire pump test was a pain... we should have designed in a remote generator control panel in the FP room.
sean
8/31/2023 08:04:59 pm
I think this is smart while it is an initial higher cost the operating cost will not be as bad. Leave a Reply. |
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