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I have a project where the consultant is wanting to use a previously-installed 10-story building tank and fire pump to supply a new 14-story building up to its 6th floor, then add a booster pump to carry water to the upper floors.
Is this even acceptable by code? The new 14-story will be built next to the existing 10-story building. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
9 Comments
Mike
5/21/2021 08:16:31 am
I think the real question is do you want to warranty a system using used equipment?
Glenn Berger
5/21/2021 08:19:01 am
Is it the same owner?
Jon
5/21/2021 08:24:00 am
Is a tank required to satisfy the IBC requirement, based on seismic design category, for a secondary "on-site" water supply? If so, it could be argued that a tank for another building is remote and wouldn't qualify as being "on-site". I recommend drawing in the AHJ to get this clarified.
schulman
5/21/2021 08:29:20 am
we frequently design Sprinkler Systems for agencies (such as a town hall center) where we have several facilities or different buildings owned by the same agency (same owner as someone mentioned above) and use their existing (certified) pumps and water supply .... should really only have one building fire at a time or you are having a very bad day
Franck
5/21/2021 10:05:21 am
As indicated above, if you have the same owner and same technical maintenance, I would see no reason not to do it.
Jacob
5/21/2021 11:27:23 am
I have seen one fire pump serve multiple buildings before, no major code issues, just potentially maintenance issues. I would be interested to understand more the configuration of the pumps and would encourage review of NPFA 20 requirements for series fire pumps which are fairly limiting and typically require series fire pumps are located within the same pump room unless specific requirements are met.
Casey Milhorn
5/21/2021 02:04:28 pm
What Jacob said. I would think that possibly replacing the existing pump with a slightly larger pump would be more ideal. You may need to install PRV valves all the way to the top of the 10 story, but that's fairly minimal cost. Also, I would take the latest fire pump test report and see if you can meet the demand for the 14 story building. Fire pumps typically overperform a tad bit from the original specs and you never know if the city water has gotten better. The fire pump test report should tell you if you are in the ballpark (and then I would do another one myself anyway just to confirm). I would personally NOT want to add another pump on an upper floor due to the restrictions per NFPA 20. If you get lucky the incoming electrical might be enough to supply a new pump that meets demand (pumps have gotten more efficient and if it's an older pump the cost might be minimal to replace it, no to mention the owner gets a new pump that they don't have to worry about). Again, just have to worry about the new PRVs and adjusting the existing PRVs. Now if the existing pump was designed for only 65 psi, then probably not a chance in heck to avoid upgrading electrical.
Jay
5/21/2021 06:00:11 pm
See 2016 NFPA 13:8.2.6 Detached Buildings and associated Annex A material. Leave a Reply. |
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