What are the power supply requirements for hotel fire pumps?
【Fire Protection｜f】
Hotel fire pumps are classified as Grade I loads, and their power distribution must meet the relevant requirements of the *Code for Design of Building Water Supply and Drainage* (GB 50015‑2019), the *Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings* (GB 50016‑2014), and the *Code for Design of Power Supply and Distribution Systems* (GB 50052‑2009), mainly including:
1. Load classification and power supply method
- Fire pumps must be designed as Grade I loads and require two independent power sources: one is the utility supply (normal power source), and the other is the emergency power source (diesel generator or compliant UPS/EPS).
- An automatic transfer switch (ATS) shall be installed between the normal power source and the emergency power source to ensure automatic transfer to the emergency power source within 5 s after utility power loss (GB 50052‑2009, Clause 6.2.1).
- Provide a dedicated fire protection distribution box (or distribution cabinet); the fire resistance rating of the enclosure shall be no lower than the fire door rating, and the distribution box must have a clear "Fire Protection Dedicated" label.
- Use a dedicated circuit for power supply; the rated current of the circuit shall be selected at 1.25–1.5 times the rated power of the pump, and a circuit breaker shall be installed for short-circuit and overload protection (GB 50052‑2009, Clause 6.2.2).
- To improve reliability, a power monitoring device may be added inside the distribution box to provide real-time alarms for power loss, undervoltage, overcurrent, and other conditions.
- Power cables must use fire-resistant cables (such as NH‑YJV, NH‑BTTZ, etc.) and be installed in fire-rated cable trays or fire-rated conduits, meeting the fire resistance requirements of GB 50016‑2014, Clause 8.3.2.
- Cable routes shall avoid flammable and combustible structures, and fire-rated sleeves or fire separation shall be provided where necessary.
- Fire pumps shall adopt automatic starting, directly driven by a start signal issued by the fire alarm system (FAS) or the fire control room.
- The starting device shall have a manual/automatic transfer function, and start, stop, and fault indicator lights shall be provided on the control cabinet.
- The starting time (from receipt of the start signal until the pump reaches rated speed) shall not exceed 5 s (GB 50016‑2014, Clause 8.3.3).
- The fire pump room shall be located within a fire compartment, and the fire resistance rating of the room walls, doors, and windows shall be no lower than the fire door rating.
- Distribution boxes shall be arranged in a dedicated distribution room or fire-rated distribution room outside the pump room, facilitating maintenance and reducing direct exposure to fire.
- Provide a power monitoring system to monitor in real time the operating status of the normal power source and emergency power source, as well as parameters such as voltage and frequency.
- Conduct regular load tests, automatic transfer tests, and start tests, and record the inspection results to ensure the system always operates reliably.
Key standard index
- *Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings* GB 50016‑2014, Clauses 8.3.1, 8.3.2, 8.3.3
- *Code for Design of Power Supply and Distribution Systems* GB 50052‑2009, Clauses 6.2.1, 6.2.2
- *Code for Design of Building Water Supply and Drainage* GB 50015‑2019, Clause 5.2.2 (power supply requirements for fire pumps)
The above are the basic power distribution requirements for hotel fire pumps, ensuring timely and reliable water supply in the event of a fire and safeguarding personal and property safety.