1.I'd have to agree with the pump manufacture see A4.20.1.1.  You cannot
meet the objective of making sure the water supply can provide  150% *2 by
sizing it based on 1 pump.  However looking at the language, you
theoretically could size the test header for the pumps based on 1 pump, but
you would then need an alternative method to make sure the water supply can
meet 9000 gpm .
2.  see A.4.15.5  it looks like its 9000 gpm (note the s after pump) (20 fps
requirement) but when applying 4.26 I think it needs to be 1 pump. 
3. The relief valve should be sized based on both pumps hydraulically
because you require both pumps to operate simultaneously to meet sprinkler
system demand, so both relief valves will operate during system operation.
See 4.18.2.1



-----Original Message-----
From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Travis Mack
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2015 3:25 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Large pumping capacity

I am working on a project where there is a fairly large demand.  The EOR has
determined there are to be (3) 3000 gpm pumps.  These are all installed
parallel.  One of the pumps is to be a backup pump. The design has not been
finalized, but the system demand (overhead sprinklers and grate foam
nozzles) is somewhere around 6000 gpm. That is why we have two 3000 gpm
pumps in parallel to create a 6000 gpm pumping capacity.  
There were some errors in the EOR pump room design that led to a few other
questions.  We are getting conflicting information from the EOR and the pump
guys.  The arrangement is that the pumps share a common suction header and a
common discharge header.

Per NFPA 20, a 3000 gpm pump needs a 12" discharge.  The EOR showed 10" 
discharge piping and equipment, so this is what flagged some questions with
the pump room design.  The questions are now:

1 - Should the test header be sized to accommodate a 6000 gpm pump, or a
3000 gpm pump?  The pump guy says that the common discharge header must be
sized for the combined pumping capacity.  The EOR states that it is only
based on 1 pump flowing.  I seem to agree with the pump guy, in that you
need to test with both pumps flowing so you can test your water supply as
well to show you can get the full 150% flow from the water supply.  It is
easy to size the piping so that the recommended velocities in NFPA 20 are
not exceeded.  It is just a question as to what is the basis.

2 - Should the common discharge header that the pumps tie in to be sized
based on 3000 gpm pump or 6000 gpm pump?  I believe that the common piping
(after the pump discharge valve) only needs to be sized based on hydraulic
calculations.

3 - These are diesel pumps.  The individual relief valves are tied into a
common discharge header.  How should this be sized?  Based on 3000 or
6000 gpm pumps?

We are awaiting input from the authority having jurisdiction as well on this
topic.  The biggest issue is the pump test header and relief valve discharge
piping.  There are more issues of now trying to fit 12" 
valves/pipe/fittings on the discharge side of a pump in a room that was
tight to begin with and was designed for 10" discharge equipment.

Part of the issue is that NFPA 20 only goes to 5000 gpm tables for sizing
pump room piping/equipment.  The EOR is stating that the NICET tech is to
correct anything in the pump room and provide it per NFPA 20.  However,
since we have a 6000 gpm total capacity, it is not possible to size things
based on the summary table in NFPA 20 if it is to be based on 6000 gpm.

I am just interested as to the thoughts of the guys on this forum.

--
Travis Mack, SET
MFP Design, LLC
2508 E Lodgepole Drive
Gilbert, AZ 85298
480-505-9271
fax: 866-430-6107
email:[email protected]

http://www.mfpdesign.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/92218417692
Send large files to us via: https://www.hightail.com/u/MFPDesign

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