Our expert responds #13

QUESTION
What should be the characteristics of the panel and power line of a main fire-fighting electric pump?

ANSWER
According to UNI EN 12845 10.8.5, the pump control panel must be located in the same compartment as the electric motor and the pump, the electric panel of the electric pump must be able to:

• automatically start the engine when it receives a signal from the pressure switches
• start the engine in manual mode
• stop the motor only by manual operation (if the overpressure unit is exclusively used by a hydrant network, for activities not constantly monitored, the stop can take place automatically, after the pressure has been kept constantly above the pump start pressure for at least 20 consecutive minutes – UNI 10779).

Where permitted by the mains operator, the power supply to the pump control panel shall be taken upstream of the main power switch of the buildings.
All cables shall be protected against fire and mechanical damage, by walls, partitions or floors with a fire resistance of not less than 60 min.
The power supply for the pump control panel must be dedicated exclusively to the pumping unit (therefore, each electric pumping unit will have its own).