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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 This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. 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 This section intentionally left blank. 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