Comments on: Fire Pumps and Backflow Devices http://inspector911.com/fire-pumps-and-backflow-devices/297 Resources, Checklists, and Training for inspectors with NFPA and the ICC codes Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:31:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael O'Brian http://inspector911.com/fire-pumps-and-backflow-devices/297/comment-page-1#comment-643 Michael O'Brian Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:00:05 +0000 http://inspector911.com/?p=297#comment-643 Wayne, I think you bring up an interesting point. The article is intended to show that there are multiple installations for fire pump installations and the friction loss of the back flow devices as well as the flow @ 150% are necessary and should be demonstrated at the acceptance testing. Wayne, I think you bring up an interesting point. The article is intended to show that there are multiple installations for fire pump installations and the friction loss of the back flow devices as well as the flow @ 150% are necessary and should be demonstrated at the acceptance testing.

]]> By: Wayne Boss, CFI-II Phoenix Fire Dept. http://inspector911.com/fire-pumps-and-backflow-devices/297/comment-page-1#comment-638 Wayne Boss, CFI-II Phoenix Fire Dept. Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:52:51 +0000 http://inspector911.com/?p=297#comment-638 To the Author of "Fire Pumps and Backflow devices." shouldn't the paragraph in your article read ... " If the back-flow device is installed in the suction piping, NFPA 20 Section 5.26 provides requirements for the device. ...." rather than as stated below? If the fire pump is installed in the suction piping, NFPA 20 section 5.26 provides requirements for the device. The important concept is the back-flow device must allow the flow of the fire pump at 150% of its rated capacity. If during field acceptance tests this can not be provided, revisions would be necessary to the various devices. To the Author of “Fire Pumps and Backflow devices.” shouldn’t the paragraph in your article read … ” If the back-flow device is installed in the suction piping, NFPA 20 Section 5.26 provides requirements for the device. ….” rather than as stated below?

If the fire pump is installed in the suction piping, NFPA 20 section 5.26 provides requirements for the device. The important concept is the back-flow device must allow the flow of the fire pump at 150% of its rated capacity. If during field acceptance tests this can not be provided, revisions would be necessary to the various devices.

]]> By: Insurance LC Rep http://inspector911.com/fire-pumps-and-backflow-devices/297/comment-page-1#comment-264 Insurance LC Rep Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:35:11 +0000 http://inspector911.com/?p=297#comment-264 When you have this set up, not very common, make sure the pump test header is past the backflow device. When you witness the pump test make sure they place gauges on the backflow devise to insure the loss across the devise is as per the mfg of the device at the max gpm you flowed. If the test header is before the device then you will have no way of conducting a forward flow test on the backflow device. Yea I know NFPA 25 says if you have a fire pump you do not need to test the device. BUT if it is on the discharge side you will have no idea if the device will open during a fire. With a flow of 1700 gpm in your example, if it does not work you can have some big problems! When you have this set up, not very common, make sure the pump test header is past the backflow device. When you witness the pump test make sure they place gauges on the backflow devise to insure the loss across the devise is as per the mfg of the device at the max gpm you flowed. If the test header is before the device then you will have no way of conducting a forward flow test on the backflow device. Yea I know NFPA 25 says if you have a fire pump you do not need to test the device. BUT if it is on the discharge side you will have no idea if the device will open during a fire. With a flow of 1700 gpm in your example, if it does not work you can have some big problems!

]]> By: Brian Dove http://inspector911.com/fire-pumps-and-backflow-devices/297/comment-page-1#comment-263 Brian Dove Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:21:26 +0000 http://inspector911.com/?p=297#comment-263 AWWA Manual 14 which is the bible for backflow in the nation says do not put backflow on wet or dry pipe systems that are professionally installed??? This would include fire pumps serving thos systems. Instead ICC mandated them on all fire sprinkler systems with no real technical justification or backup that pointed to a need for them. AWWA Manual 14 which is the bible for backflow in the nation says do not put backflow on wet or dry pipe systems that are professionally installed??? This would include fire pumps serving thos systems. Instead ICC mandated them on all fire sprinkler systems with no real technical justification or backup that pointed to a need for them.

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