Adding to Jims solution the newer digital fire pump controllers with their panel mounted readouts eliminate the hazard.
Also keep in mind that the overcurrent protection of power supplies to fire pump controllers is the locked rotor current or appx six times the running current of the motor. NEC 695 is specific in protecting only for short circuit protection. However and heres the real danger fire pump controllers are permitted to be served by a separate service, hence SUSE ratings on FP Controllers. Depending on the impedance of the utility source the potential energy could be 50,000 amps or more of inrush current. A lot of energy exists within this equipment, be careful. To see just what an arc flash can do; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iClXrd50Z8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h10ALIpD0R4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3_ear4k-Jg&feature=related Hope that helps, John Drucker, CET Fire Protection Subcode Official Fire/Building/Electrical Inspector Fire Marshals Office Borough of Red Bank, NJ -----Original Message----- From: sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org [mailto:sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org] On Behalf Of Jim Johnston Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 11:19 AM To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: RE: Electrical Dangers I recently purchased a Fluke 1735 Power Logger to take care of these situations, it reads amperage and voltage. To set it up you kill the incoming power to the panel open the door and hook up all the leads, it has alligator clips for all three legs of voltage and detachable rings for the current measurement, then re-energize the panel and take the readings. There is a whole lot more comfort using this versus the handheld multi-meter / clamp on, it was kinda expensive $2500.00, but lots cheaper than a lawsuit and fine. Jim Johnston, P.E. Fire Protection Engineer Inland Fire Protection, Inc 1100 Ahtanum Road Yakima, WA 98903 Phone 509-248-4471 Fax 509-248-1180 j...@inlandfireprotection.com -----Original Message----- From: Matthew J. Willis [mailto:m...@norredfire.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 7:38 AM To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: RE: Electrical Dangers Actually the inspector is exposed to low voltage. (If it is an older panel without the external indicators) And I carry all the gear.., face shield, gloves etc.., to perform the test. It is always fun to reach into an old panel with knife switches, after you are soaked from adjusting the pitot readings. If it is a newer panel, it will have an external readout, which is now a code requirement. These do not expose the inspector to the dangers of going inside the panel. R/ Matt Matthew J. Willis, CET Automatic Fire Sprinklers Norred Fire Systems L.L.C. 318-387-1134 Voice 318-387-1163 Facsimile m...@norredfire.com -----Original Message----- From: sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org [mailto:sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org] On Behalf Of Ford, Charles Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:15 AM To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: RE: Electrical Dangers A question has come up regarding electric fire pump testing. During the required voltage and amperage tests, is the inspector exposed to harm from high voltage electricity. If the answer is YES, do you, (they etc.) provide high voltage protective gear and tools in accordance with NFPA 70E? C. Burton Ford Designer- NICET Certified: Fire Alarm, Special Hazards, Sprinkler Design &Sprinkler Inspections NFPA CFPS Cintas Fire Protection-D-47 Warminster, PA 18974 Phone 267-487-1000 Fax 267-487-1010 This e-mail transmission contains information that is intended to be confidential and privileged. If you receive this e-mail and you are not a named addressee you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this communication without the consent of the sender and that doing so is prohibited and may be unlawful. Please reply to the message immediately by informing the sender that the message was misdirected. After replying, please delete and otherwise erase it and any attachments from your computer system. 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