How to Design a Complete Fire Pump Room Layout

A fire pump room is the heart of a building’s fire protection system. It houses the equipment responsible for supplying adequate water pressure to sprinkler systems, hydrants, and standpipes during emergencies. Designing a well-planned fire pump room layout is critical for ensuring system reliability, compliance with international standards like NFPA 20, and ease of maintenance.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of designing a complete fire pump room layout, including space planning, equipment positioning, piping, ventilation, electrical considerations, and compliance requirements.

1. Understand the Fire Pump Room’s Purpose

The primary function of the fire pump room is to provide a secure and accessible location for fire pumps and related components. A properly designed layout ensures:

• Adequate water supply and pressure during fire emergencies

• Easy access for inspection, maintenance, and testing

• Compliance with NFPA 20, local fire codes, and insurance standards

• Safety for personnel and equipment

Without a proper layout, fire pumps can face operational inefficiencies, reduced lifespan, or even catastrophic failure during a fire emergency.

2. Follow NFPA 20 and Local Regulations

The NFPA 20 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection provides globally recognized guidelines for fire pump room design. Always confirm whether your local jurisdiction requires additional approvals or modifications.

Key NFPA 20 considerations include:

• Minimum clearances around pumps

• Proper separation of electrical and mechanical components

• Adequate space for future expansion

• Ventilation and temperature control

• Safe routing of suction and discharge piping

Tip: Always obtain approval from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before finalizing your layout.

3. Determine the Space Requirements

Fire pump rooms must be spacious enough to accommodate all necessary equipment and allow safe access for technicians.

Essential space planning tips:

• Pump Clearance: NFPA 20 recommends at least 3 feet (0.9 m) of clearance around pumps and control panels.

• Ceiling Height: Ensure adequate height for pump installation and overhead piping.

• Future Scalability: Allow room for potential upgrades or the addition of a standby pump.

• Access Points: Include wide doors for equipment installation and removal.

Example Layout Components:

• Electric fire pump

• Diesel engine fire pump (if required)

• Jockey pump

• Fire pump controllers

• Suction and discharge manifolds

• Pressure relief valves

• Test headers

• Water storage tank (if inside the room)

4. Position the Pumps Strategically

The arrangement of fire pumps affects efficiency, performance, and maintenance accessibility.

Best practices for positioning pumps:

• Place pumps in a straight line where possible, with suction piping running directly from the water source.

• Install jockey pumps close to the main fire pump for accurate pressure sensing.

• Keep diesel pumps separated from electric pumps when using both, ensuring adequate ventilation.

• Ensure pump controllers are mounted on walls with unobstructed access.

Pro Tip: Always position pumps to minimize suction pipe length and avoid sharp bends to reduce friction loss.

5. Optimize Piping Layout

Piping plays a crucial role in ensuring proper water flow to and from the fire pumps.

Suction Piping:

• Use as few bends as possible to maintain steady water flow.

• Size suction pipes according to NFPA 20 recommendations to avoid cavitation.

• Place isolation valves on suction lines for easy maintenance.

Discharge Piping:

• Include test headers and flow meters for pump performance testing.

• Install pressure relief valves where required.

• Separate discharge lines to sprinkler systems, hydrants, and standpipes if applicable.

Pipe Support & Vibration Control:

• Use pipe supports to reduce vibration.

• Install flexible joints near pumps to minimize stress on equipment.

6. Electrical and Control System Considerations

The fire pump control system is critical to reliable operation. Proper planning ensures uninterrupted power and safe manual operation.

For Electric Fire Pumps:

• Use a dedicated, reliable power supply independent of other building systems.

• Install automatic transfer switches (ATS) if a generator backup is required.

• Place control panels within easy reach but outside high-risk flood zones.

For Diesel Fire Pumps:

• Provide dedicated fuel storage tanks compliant with local codes.

• Include battery chargers and controllers designed per NFPA 20.

Pro Tip: Always separate low-voltage control wiring from high-voltage power cables to reduce electrical interference.

7. Ventilation and Temperature Control

Fire pump rooms must maintain stable temperatures for pumps and engines to perform optimally.

For Electric Fire Pump Rooms:

• Maintain ambient temperature between 5°C to 40°C (41°F to 104°F).

• Provide proper airflow to prevent overheating of controllers and motors.

For Diesel Engine Fire Pump Rooms:

• Include intake and exhaust ventilation sized according to engine specifications.

• Route exhaust gases safely outside the building.

• Maintain room temperatures above freezing to protect water lines and pumps.

8. Safety and Accessibility Measures

Safety should always be a priority when designing fire pump rooms.

• Emergency Lighting: Ensure visibility during power outages.

• Signage: Label valves, controllers, and pumps clearly for quick identification.

• Non-slip Flooring: Prevent accidents in case of water leaks.

• Fire Extinguishers: Install approved extinguishers inside the pump room.

• Access Control: Limit unauthorized entry to trained personnel only.

9. Testing and Maintenance Access

A well-designed fire pump room should allow easy access for inspection, testing, and servicing.

• Include flow test headers for periodic pump performance verification.

• Provide drain points for easy maintenance.

• Position gauges, valves, and controllers at operator-friendly heights.

• Allow space for technicians to maneuver around equipment safely.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Designing rooms too small, limiting maintenance access

• Overlooking NFPA 20 clearance requirements

• Using undersized suction piping, leading to pump cavitation

• Neglecting ventilation for diesel engine-driven pumps

• Combining unrelated electrical circuits with fire pump controllers

• Forgetting to plan for future equipment upgrades
  

Conclusion

Designing a complete fire pump room layout requires careful consideration of NFPA 20 compliance, equipment positioning, piping configuration, power supply, ventilation, and safety requirements. A well-planned design not only ensures reliable fire protection but also reduces maintenance costs and extends the lifespan of your fire pumps.

As a leading fire pump manufacturer, we provide complete solutions for fire protection systems, including electric fire pumps, diesel engine fire pumps, jockey pumps, and vertical turbine fire pumps. Our engineering team can help you plan and design a fully compliant fire pump room layout tailored to your project’s needs.