Fire pump room and hydrant network for a logistics center

The challenge

A 42,000 m² distribution center with high-bay racks required a pumping system capable of simultaneously feeding the ESFR sprinkler network and the outdoor hydrant and monitor network, with the redundancy required by NFPA 20 and the insurer.

The public water supply could not guarantee the required pressure or flow, so the system had to be self-sufficient.

Technical scope

• Pump room: two main pumps (electric and diesel) rated 2,500 GPM at 125 psi, jockey pump, listed controllers and automatic transfer switch.
• Storage: two 1,200 m³ tanks with automatic fill and level monitoring.
• Outdoor network: hydrant and monitor loop with supervised sectioning valves.
• Integration: pump and valve status signals to the fire alarm panel and the building management system.

Execution

1. Engineering: hydraulic calculation of the most demanding scenario (ESFR + hydrants), pump selection by certified curve and pump room design.
2. Supply: direct import of UL/FM listed pumps, drivers, controllers and valves.
3. Installation: mechanical, electrical, suction and discharge piping installation by specialized crews.
4. Testing: field pump test per NFPA 20 (churn, 100% and 150% flow), hydrant flow test and delivery of the acceptance report.

Results

• Field curves within tolerance of the factory-certified curves.
• System approved by the insurer on the first inspection.
• Preventive maintenance contract with weekly start-up tests and an annual performance test.

“The pump is the heart of the system. If it does not start when needed, everything else is irrelevant.” — HWDE Engineering