Stage 1 — Pre-installation site survey
Walk the pump room before the pump arrives on site. Items missed here become controller-relocation surgery later.
1.1 Pump-room location and access — NFPA 20 §4.12 / NBR 16704 §4.7
- Pump room dedicated (no shared use as storage / electrical room)
- Direct external access for fire-fighting personnel
- Main door opens outward with panic hardware
- Door width ≥ 0.90 m (NBR 16704 §4.7.3)
- Clear path for pump removal — verify sized for largest pump component
- If basement: secondary egress to grade per local fire code
1.2 Ambient conditions — NFPA 20 §4.13 / NBR 16704 §4.8
| Parameter | Limit | How to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient temperature | 4 °C ≤ T ≤ 40 °C | Thermometer log over 24 h |
| Lighting (working areas) | ≥ 100 lux | Lux meter on pump centerline |
| Lighting (emergency) | ≥ 10 lux on egress path | Lux meter, simulated power loss |
| Ventilation (electric pump) | Per motor manufacturer | Calc + airflow measurement |
| Ventilation (diesel pump) | Per NFPA 37 + NFPA 20 §11.3 | Calc + airflow measurement |
Common gotcha: in tropical Brazilian sites without HVAC, July-January ambient can exceed 40 °C in poorly-ventilated pump rooms. Either upgrade ventilation to drop ambient, or specify motor insulation class higher than F (typically class H).
1.3 Drainage and flooding — NFPA 20 §4.14 / NBR 16704 §4.9
- Floor slope to drain ≥ 1:100
- Drain capacity ≥ 1.5× expected leak from worst-case casing relief
- If any flood risk: pump pads raise base above 100-year flood level
- Sump pump on independent power if pit drainage required
1.4 Suction supply piping — NFPA 20 §4.16 / NBR 16704 §4.11
This is the single most-failed category at acceptance. Verify exhaustively.
- Suction pipe size ≥ 1 size larger than suction flange (per NFPA 20 §4.16.1)
- Suction pipe length ≥ 10 × pipe diameter before suction flange
- No elbow within 10 × pipe diameter of suction flange
- Eccentric reducer at pump (flat side up) — never concentric
- Suction strainer mesh ≤ 6 mm
- Strainer pressure-drop port for clogging detection
- OS&Y or post-indicator valve on supply (NFPA 20 §4.16.10)
- Hydrostatic test of suction main at 1.5× working pressure for 2 h
1.5 Discharge piping — NFPA 20 §4.17 / NBR 16704 §4.12
- Discharge pipe size ≥ pump discharge flange
- Check valve immediately downstream of pump
- Listed fire-pump check valve (UL 312 or equivalent)
- Indicating valve (OS&Y) downstream of check
- Test connection between check and indicating valve
- Casing relief valve piped to drain or open atmosphere — never back to suction
1.6 Test header / hose connection — NFPA 20 §4.20 / NBR 16704 §4.16
- Test header sized for 150% rated flow
- Outlet count: 1× 65 mm (2½”) per 1.000 L/min of rated flow, rounded up
- Test header location accessible without obstructing pump room operation
- Each outlet fitted with cap and chain
1.7 Sign-off
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Site engineer | _________ |
| Date | _________ |
| Items 1.1-1.6 verified | ☐ Yes ☐ No (list exceptions) |
| Items requiring rework before pump arrival | _________ |
| Authorization to schedule pump delivery | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
Next stage: Mechanical acceptance (FAT).