Surge Protection for Fire Pump Stations

OVERVIEW

NEC-2020 The latest release of NEC/NFPA 70 edition 2020 (NEC 2020) has placed a greater emphasis on increasing personnel safety by mandating the use of Surge Protective Devices (SPDs).

From 2014 to 2020, the number articles now requiring SPDs has increased significantly for applications ranging from Modular Data Centers, Fire Pumps, Elevators, Critical Power Systems, Dwellings (Dormitories, Homes, Hospitals, Hotels), etc. This article will focus on Critical Power Systems and how they are defined by NFPA 70 Article 708.

What are Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS)

As stated by Article 708, Critical Operations Power Systems can be classed by municipal, state, federal, or other codes by any governmental agency having jurisdiction or by facility engineering documentation establishing the necessity for such a system. These systems include but are not limited to power systems, HVAC, fire alarm, security, communications, and signaling for designated critical operations areas.

Article 708.2 further defines how the end user can identify if the system is a COPS.

CategoryArticle 708.2 Definitions
Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS)"Power systems for facilities or parts of facilities that require continuous operation for the reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security, or business continuity.”
Designated Critical Operations Areas (DCOA)"Areas within a facility or site designated as requiring critical operations power."
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)"An electronic system that provides monitoring and controls for the operation of the critical operations power system. This can include the fire alarm system, security system, control of the HVAC, the start/stop/monitoring of the power supplies and electrical distribution system, annunciation and communications equipment to emergency personnel, facility occupants, and remote operators."

Recommended SPDs for Emergency Backup Power

LocationEquipmentSystemSurge Protector Model #Link
Automatic Transfer Switch Line Side120/208Vac MDS600E-120Y MDS750E-480D

Automatic Transfer Switch Load Side120/208Vac MS100-120Y

Automatic Transfer Switch Line Side Genset120/208Vac MS200-120Y
Genset Line Side120/208Vac${ITEM_LINK#1505161}<-No Item, #1505161 M50-120Y-A${ITEM_LINK#1505161}<-No Item, #1505161 M50-A

Genset Relay Starter24Vdc DS220S-24DC DS220S-24DC

Genset Battery Charge Controller120VacDS240S-120/G

Recommended SPDs for Pump Station

LocationEquipmentSystemSurge Protector Model #Link
MCC MCC480Vac MS100-480D
VFD_PF750Series VFD Input480Vac DS74US-480D

VFD Output480Vac M50-480D-A M50-A

Recommended SPDs for Fire Pump Controller

LocationEquipmentSystemSurge Protector Model #Link
Power_supply_AB Power Supply Input120VacDS240S-120/G

Power Supply Output24Vdc DS220S-24DC DS220S-24DC

Pump Controller24Vdc DS220S-24DC DS220S-24DC
Remote- IO Cabinet InstrumentationPressure Instrumentation
4-20mA		 DLA-24D3 DLA-24D3 v.2

InstrumentationFlow Instrumentation
4-20mA		 DLA-24D3 DLA-24D3 v.2
PLC PLCEthernet Ports MJ8-C6A MJ8-C6A

PLCRS-485 DLA-12D3 DLA-24D3

RTURF Coaxial P8AX09-N/FF P8AX09-6G-N-FF