N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 913: Section BC 913: Fire Pumps

913.1 General.

Where provided or required, fire pumps shall be installed in accordance with this section, NFPA 20 and other applicable sections of this code.

913.2 Protection against interruption of service

. The fire pump, driver and controller shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 20 against possible interruption of service.

913.2.1 Protection of fire pump rooms.

Fire pumps shall be located in rooms that are separated from all other areas of the building by 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.

Exceptions:

1. In other than high-rise buildings, separation by 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or 1-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, shall be permitted in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

2. Separation is not required for fire pumps physically separated in accordance with NFPA 20.

3. Separation is not required for a fire pump, other than an automatic standpipe fire pump, where such fire pump is located in a mechanical equipment room, as defined by the New York City Mechanical Code, enclosed by 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. Refrigerants, gas piping, gas consumption devices, gas meters or any other gas equipment and fuel storage or fuel consuming appliances shall not be installed in any space housing a fire pump.

913.2.2 Circuits supplying fire pumps.

Cables used for survivability of circuits supplying fire pumps shall be in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code. Electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with their listing requirements, and the New York City Electrical Code.

913.3 Temperature of pump room.

Suitable means shall be provided for maintaining the temperature of a pump room or pump house, where required, above 40°F (4.4°C).

913.3.1 Engine manufacturer's recommendation.

Temperature of the pump room, pump house or area where engines are installed shall never be less than the minimum recommended by the engine manufacturer. The engine manufacturer's recommendations for oil heaters shall be followed.

913.4 Valve supervision.

Where provided, the fire pump suction, discharge and bypass valves, and isolation valves on the backflow prevention device or assembly shall be supervised open as required by Section 907.

913.4.1 Test outlet control valve supervision.

Fire pump test outlet control valves shall be supervised in the closed position. Individual hose valves on the test header are not required to be monitored.

913.5 Acceptance test.

Acceptance testing shall be done in accordance with the requirements of Section 1705.30 of this code, the New York City Fire Code and NFPA 20. Refurbished or repaired fire pumps shall be tested in accordance with Section 1705.30 of this code, the New York City Fire Code and NFPA 20. A notification shall be given to the department prior to performance of the test.