HomeMy WebLinkAbout405.037 - Fire Pumps and Alternate Equivalent Fire Protection RequestsEffective Date: March 2017 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 6/26/2025 Section 405.037
Next Revision Date: 6/26/2028 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 405.037 FIRE PUMPS AND ALTERNATE EQUIVALENT MEANS OR
METHODS REQUESTS (AMMR)
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or
Department) requirements related to the installation of fire pumps when a request for
an alternate, equivalent means or method (AMMR) for any element of fire protection
has been (or will be) requested.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all buildings equipped with a fire pump within the Department’s
service area, including contract service areas. These requirements apply to both
required and voluntary fire pump installations.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse
service delivery area, and after careful deliberation, the Department has determined
the following:
1. Anytime a request for an AMMR for any element of fire protection is made, and
the building requires the installation of a fire pump to meet the requirements of
the California Building Code (CBC), California Fire Code (CFC), and/or
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems, the fire pump must be either:
a. A diesel-powered fire pump installed in accordance with the currently
adopted edition of the CFC and NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of
Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection or;
b. An electrically powered fire pump installed in accordance with the current
adopted edition of the CFC and NFPA 20, which is also provided with a
secondary power source (i.e., standby generator, etc.).
c. All secondary power sources must have the requisite fuel/amp hour (AH)
capacity and transfer switch size, to switch and power the fire pump.
Effective Date: March 2017 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 6/26/2025 Section 405.037
Next Revision Date: 6/26/2028 Page 2 of 3
Where the power source is a standby generator or batteries of any type, the
power source must also be capable of supplying all of the other life safety
and other code required systems.
2. This requirement extends to all requests for an AMMR for fire protection,
regardless of any of the element(s) affected by the request.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
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INFORMATION
As noted in the CFC, the fire code official has the authority to formulate policies they
deem necessary based upon local conditions related to fire pump installations and
requests for alternate, equivalent means of fire protection.
The Department has concluded that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), the local utility
provider, is a reliable source of power for fire pumps. However, when a building is
requesting an AMMR for any fire protection element for CBC or CFC requirements, it
is both prudent and sound engineering practice for the authority to require additional
factors of safety for the building, its occupants and firefighters.
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
California Building Code, Currently adopted edition
California Fire Code, Currently adopted edition
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, currently adopted edition with
California amendments
Effective Date: March 2017 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 6/26/2025 Section 405.037
Next Revision Date: 6/26/2028 Page 3 of 3
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 20, currently adopted edition with
California amendments