Is the Fire Pump House Req'd to Be Sprinklered?

1/3/2025

Is it required by IBC or NFPA 13 to have a detached fire pump room or shelter to be protected by the sprinkler system as long as the fire pump serves the sprinkler protected building?

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7 Comments

Brett

1/3/2025 07:06:04 am

It depends on the edition of NFPA 20 that applies, power source (electric versus diesel), and if the pump house is required to be sprinklered by the IBC for some other various reason not related to the fire pump like exposure protection.

Conditions that make the pump room/house require sprinklers:

- 2025 edition of NFPA 20 was changed to require all fire pump rooms/houses to be sprinklered.
- 2022 editions and earlier, diesel fire pump rooms/buildings are required to be sprinklered. 4.14.1.3 in the 2019 and 2022 editions of NFPA 20.

2024 IBC section 913.2.1 doesn't add anything on this topic that isn't already in NFPA 20.

Anthony

1/3/2025 07:15:29 am

The requirements come from NFPA 20 if the pump house is 50 ft away from the building it is protecting it does not require a sprinkler system for an electrical pump. NFPA 20-13 Table 4.12.1.1.2

If the diesel fuel is kept in the pump house then it will require a sprinkler system regardless of the distance or fire separations. NFPA 20-13 4.12.1.3

Jack G

1/3/2025 10:18:35 am

As I understand it, according to NFPA 20, in order for an installation to be considered “ fully sprinklered “, the fire pump building or room must also be protected. Ord-1 for electric pump, ex-2 for Diesel pump. . See 4.14.4 and I 4.14.1.1.2 and explained in A4.14.1.1.2. .
There is also a provision for larger fuel tanks with protection of the room and ratings.

Jesse

1/3/2025 11:02:51 am

I hate answering a questions with. "it depends". But, alas it depends.

It depends on the edition of NFPA 20 the AHJ is operating under. It depends on the drive type. And it depends on the local amendents.

In my metro area (Austin, Texas) every AHJ makes us provide AS in the pump room. In my latest pump room, the fire pump house was at the bottom of a big hill. The pump room was less than 200 sq. ft. and we protected it with just a single Extended Coverage K=11.2 sprinkler.

Todd E Wyatt

1/3/2025 04:21:43 pm

The scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2024) determines IF a building requires an Automatic Sprinkler System (ASPS) based on the Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) and/or other “Specific Building Areas and Hazards”.

If the Fire Pump Room (FPR) is part of a building that is required to be protected “throughout” by an ASPS, the FPR is also required to be protected by an ASPS.

If the Fire Pump Room (FPR) is NOT part of a building and it is NOT required to be protected “throughout” by an ASPS, the FPR is NOT required to be protected by an ASPS.

NFPA 20 is a referenced standard per the scoping Code (IBC-2024) and its (4) references in IBC-2024 (412.2.4.1, 913.1, 913.2, 913.2.1, 913.5) are the “prescribed extent of each such reference.”

IBC-2024 does require protection of FIRE PUMPS against “POSSIBLE INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE through damage caused by explosion, FIRE, flood, earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism and other adverse conditions.”

Todd E Wyatt

1/3/2025 04:22:05 pm

REFERENCES
IBC-2024
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems

903.2 Where Required
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12.
Exception: Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries not required to have an automatic sprinkler system by Section 1207 of the International Fire Code for energy storage systems and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic smoke detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.

903.2.1 Group A
903.2.2 Group B
903.2.3 Group E
903.2.4 Group F-1
903.2.5 Group H
903.2.6 Group I
903.2.7 Group M
903.2.8 Group R
903.2.9 Group S-1
903.2.10 Group S-2 Parking Garages
903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards

Section 913 Fire Pumps
913.1 General
Where provided, FIRE PUMPS for fire protection systems shall be INSTALLED in accordance with this section and NFPA 20.
Exception: PUMPS for automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with SECTION 903.3.1.3, or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code.
913.2 Protection Against Interruption of Service
The FIRE PUMP, driver and controller shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 20 against POSSIBLE INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE through damage caused by explosion, FIRE, flood, earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism and other adverse conditions.
913.2.1 Protection of Fire Pump Rooms
FIRE PUMPS shall be located in rooms that are separated from all other areas of the building by 2-HOUR FIRE BARRIERS constructed in accordance with Section 707 or 2-HOUR HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLIES constructed in accordance with Section 711, OR BOTH.
Exceptions:
In other than high-rise buildings, separation by 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or 1-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, shall be permitted in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
Separation is not required for FIRE PUMPS physically separated in accordance with NFPA 20.
913.2.2 Circuits Supplying Fire Pumps
Cables used for survivability of circuits supplying fire pumps shall be protected using one of the following methods:
1. Cables used for survivability of required critical circuits shall be listed in accordance with UL 2196 and shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
2. Electrical circuit protective systems shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with their listing requirements.
3. Construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
4. The cable or raceway is encased in a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm) of concrete.
5. Exception: This section shall not apply to cables, or portions of cables, located within a fire pump room or generator room which is separated from the remainder of the occupancy with fire-resistance-rated construction.

Chapter 35 Referenced Standards
NFPA 20 - 2022
Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
412.2.4.1, 913.1, 913.2, 913.2.1, 913.5

Chapter 1 Scope and Administration
Section 102 Applicability
102.4 Referenced Codes and Standards
The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be considered to be part of the requirements of this code to the PRESCRIBED EXTENT OF EACH SUCH REFERENCE and as further regulated in Sections 102.4.1 and 102.4.2.

Todd E Wyatt

1/3/2025 04:23:43 pm

AHJs cannot "make" a Project provide an ASPS unless it is required by the adopted Codes.

Is the Fire Pump House Req'd to Be Sprinklered?

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