Multiple Fire Pump Controllers in One Enclosure?

7/14/2023

We have a fire pump room with three 75 HP main pumps that operate sequentially depending on the flow required.

Can we install all 3 controllers within a single enclosure?

If not, what standard, code forbids this?

Thanks in advance.

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7 Comments

Glenn Berger

7/14/2023 08:09:20 am

The pump controller is a listed unit, by the manufacturer.

I am not aware of mfg that has an approval for multi-pump controller enclosure.

I am not saying that it can't be done, but have never seen one.

SCHULMAN

7/14/2023 09:21:52 am

Quick look at NFPA 20 ... seems as if the requirements for enclosures "assumes" or "suggests" a single controller per enclosure but doesn't really state it ...
the part that might trip you up is that each controller is required to be located as close to the motor it controls as possible so maybe that's your answer ?

Pete H

7/14/2023 09:32:23 am

I'm with Glenn and schulman, I can't see a direct code reason against in NFPA 20, so if you can find a listed and approved multi-pump controller enclosure, go for it.

If you can't, I wouldn't.

And I also don't know of any.

Anthony

7/14/2023 09:45:31 am

The controller should come in its own enclosure or box that generally is floor mounted and the whole assembly is listed.

NFPA 20 only says the following:

10.3.3 Enclosures.

10.3.3.1* The structure or panel shall be securely mounted in,
as a minimum, a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Type 2, dripproof enclosure(s) or an enclosure(s) with an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP31.

10.3.3.2 Where the equipment is located outside, or where special environments exist, suitably rated enclosures shall be used.

10.3.3.3 The enclosure(s) shall be grounded in accordance with NFPA70, National Electrical Code, Article 250.

If you're provided with a controller but not an enclosure I'd ask your supplier to double heck the listing isn't voided.

Dan Wilder

7/14/2023 02:15:41 pm

As Glenn said, controllers are listed individually by ANSI/UL 218, ANSI/UL 508, UL347, and follow NFPA 20 & 70. If there is any modification of those enclosures, the listing/approvals are voided.

Are you asking about all three controller enclosures within the same larger enclosure housing the controller & engines/pumps (and people)? That would be acceptable.

If the 3 controllers were shipped from the factory together (or in pieces, but a factory rep would be required to complete the assembly onsite and certify that onsite prior to any additional connections), that would also be acceptable.

If the ask is to combine the internals from 3 separate controller enclosures into one larger enclosure (regardless of a NEMA rating), that would be a no.

Each pump requires its own listed controller per:

NFPA 20-22' 8.4.3
NFPA 20-22' 10.1.2.3 (shipping assembled & factory tested)
NFPA 20-22' 10.8.2.3 (transfer switch)
NFPA 20-22' 12.1.3.2 (shipping assembled & factory tested)

NFPA 70 Article 695 for power to the controller
NFPA Link-https://link.nfpa.org/publications/70/2020/chapters/6/articles/695

I know that multistage/multioutlet pumps can be controlled with a single unit (having several pressure sensors but still only one engine and controller).

You can find UL listings for controllers by searching "qyzs", the standard for starting/stoping centrifugal fire pumps (Login in required)
https://iq.ulprospector.com/en/_?p=10005,10048,10006,10047&qm=q:qyzs

Over 600 volts, via "qzgr"
https://iq.ulprospector.com/en/_?p=10005,10048,10006,10047&qm=q:qzgr

Or for residential using "QZKE"
https://iq.ulprospector.com/en/_?p=10005,10048,10006,10047&qm=q:QZKE

Jesse

7/17/2023 07:46:02 am

I'm dealing with a similar issue. I've not ever seen multiple controllers in one enclosure.

Jerry Clark

7/17/2023 10:33:31 am

Based on the responses, this sounds like a grey area that has never been addressed. The one cautionary thought I had was all your eggs in one basket. Lose one controller to a short, may lose all of them. I would stick with individual controller cabinets based on that scenario.

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Multiple Fire Pump Controllers in One Enclosure?

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