3.1 General

This chapter focuses on two areas:

1. Applying the requirements of NFPA 20 to fire protection problems

2. Applying the basic relationships between pump characteristics (including horsepower, speed, flow and pressure)

References required for this chapter are:

• NFPA 20

• NFPA Fire Protection Handbook

References helpful for further study include:

• SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering

• Pump Handbook, Edited by Igor Karassik et al.. McGraw Hill, 2nd edition, 1986

• Hydraulics Institute Standards for Centrifugal. Rotary and Reciprocating Pumps, 14th edition, Hydraulics Institute. Cleveland, Ohio, 1983

• NFPA 70 (See NEC Index entry under "Fire Pumps" for applicable sections; also see Sections 240-3(a) on conductor overload protection and exception to 230-95 on ground fault protection not required for fire pump motors)

Since most questions on fire pumps are answered using NFPA 20, various sections in this chapter provide analysis and exercises for NFPA 20, Chapters 2 through 9 and 11.

Reading: Scan the Definitions List of NFPA 20, Chapter 1. Carefully review terms with which you are unfamiliar.

3.2 NFPA 20, Chapter 2: "General"

Key points of NFPA 20, Chapter 2, include:

• Reliability of water supplies

• Rated pump capacities

• Circulation relief valves

• Equipment protection

• Suction, discharge and bypass piping

• Prevention of piping damage from movement

• Relief valves

• Water measuring devices

• Power supply dependability

• Jockey pumps

Reading: NFPA 20, Chapter 2 and associated Appendix A material