Is a Sprinkler System with Pump Already Bonded?

10/9/2025

Assuming a jurisdiction requires sprinkler pipe to be bonded to the building grounding system, would a sprinkler system fed from a fire pump be considered bonded since it is attached to the pump which is already grounded?

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7 Comments

Glenn Berger

10/9/2025 09:28:02 am

It depends upon the materials involved with the fire protection piping system.

10/9/2025 11:41:59 am

Assume steel pipe with normal Vic groove fittings.

Gary Sims

10/9/2025 09:43:24 am

Okay... with the way you presented your question, I have a couple of answers.

1) You state, "... a jurisdiction requires sprinkler pipe to be bonded to the building grounding system". My thoughts are IF a jurisdiction actually requires bonding... then you may [in fact] need to have the system bonded by a licensed electrician. That way you can prove you complied with their requirement and produce documentation of same to said jurisdiction.

2) You state, "would a sprinkler system fed from a fire pump be considered bonded since it is attached to the pump which is already grounded?". It depends. Maybe. Probably. If the sprinkler system is supported from steel structure by means of hanger rings, ATR and beam clamps, then at every beam clamp connection the system could be grounded back to the structural system. And yes... back to the pump and underground. None of that is the 'intent', but it probably is grounded.

I'm interested in what the knowledgeable guys have to say.

William Heuberger

10/9/2025 10:10:26 am

Bonding any grounding serve a different purpose.
Article 250 of the NEC covers the grounding and bonding of electrical systems. By definition, as well as by function, grounding and bonding are not the same thing. However, they do work closely together in a yin-and-yang relationship to help ensure safety in electrical systems.

Jack G

10/9/2025 12:57:54 pm

Bonding is a way of connecting 2 metallic objects so that they have the same electrical characteristics.
Grounding provides a direct path to the earth for faults.
I believe the explanations above describe grounding.
Sprinkler systems are not to be grounded per nfpa 13.

Nick G

10/16/2025 01:50:50 pm

If the jurisdiction is requiring it, they should provide guidance. My gut instinct is that no, separate bonding would be required. The ultimate test would be electrical conductivity from sprinkler system to the building grounding system. When I've worked with bonding in other (non-sprinkler) jobs this is the acceptance criteria specified by the engineer - if the resistance is less than X Ohms between the two objects it qualifies as bonded, if it's over then additional bonding is required.

Tom

10/20/2025 08:05:52 am

Jack G. is correct bonding and grounding two separate things. I believe that if your looking to ground a certain system( spray booth, dispensing of flammable liquids etc...) you cannot use sprinkler system. Grounding should be only on street side of water meter, which most people don't use because of location. For systems a true ground should be a copper 5/8th rod at least 6-8 feet in the ground. Then the electrician needs to check for ohm resistance.

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Is a Sprinkler System with Pump Already Bonded?

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