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Thursday, October 12, 2023

Question:

Hello CQD, can you please provide answers to the questions below, as it relates to a Fire-Pump?

 

  1. Is Fire Pump classified as 700 Emergency Load?

     

  2. Can a natural gas generator be utilized to feed fire pump and back up entire building loads as well via (2) separate generator output breakers?

     

Please advise and keep doing the great work! Thank you. Abhi P.
A

Answer:

Good morning, Abhi, thanks for the kind words. To answer each of the two (2) questions:

  1. Maybe, as it will depend on the type of building the fire pump is installed in. In general, the NEC® does not specify which loads are considered emergency loads, for this information we will have to look to the International Building Code (IBC). For example, Section 403.4.8.4 specifies Fire Pumps as an Emergency load for a high-rise building, thus requiring the wiring for that systems to meet the requirements of both Article 695 and Article 700 of the NEC®.
  2. Yes, a natural gas generator can be used as the Emergency Power Supply (EPS). Section 700.4(B) provides guidance on the capacity of the emergency power supply, and load shedding hierarchy, if the EPS supplies more than just emergency loads. Also see Section 700.10(B)(1)-(B)(5) addressing the output OCPDs of the generator for multiple emergency circuits. The generator will also need to meet any other applicable requirements of Article 700 for emergency generators.  

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CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

This correspondence is not a formal interpretation of the NEC® and any responses expressed to the questions are opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of NECA, NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee any Code-making panel or other electrical technical committee. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services. 

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