4.20 Design of Fire Pump Suction Piping and Fire Pump Location

Reference: NFPA 20 2003, Section 5.14.6.1 and 5.2.3

Design of the fire pump suction pipe must be approved by the Fire Department. As required by NFPA 20, fire pump suction piping from the city main and fire water storage tank to the fire pump suction flange shall be designed and installed to avoid air pockets. For this reason, the location of the fire pump will also be reviewed and approved by the Fire Department before the Site Permit is approved and issued.
For new building installations, air pockets, in the fire pump suction piping is not allowed. Providing an automatic release valve for the air pockets instead of avoiding air pockets is not acceptable.
For existing buildings, design of the fire pump suction piping must avoid air pockets. If it is impossible to do so, the Fire Department will review these installations on a case-by-case-basis.