1 Scope

1.1 Products covered

1.1.1 These requirements cover controllers intended for starting and stopping centrifugal and positive displacement fire pumps, including automatic and non-automatic types for electric motor with or without transfer switch or engine driven pumps in accordance with Annex a, item 1. Types of controllers covered include diesel engine, electric motor, limited service, medium voltage and residential. Controllers may be suitable for use as service equipment. This equipment is for installation in non-hazardous locations in accordance with Annex a, item 2.

1.1.2 Controllers for electric motor driven, centrifugal fire pumps are intended for use with squirrel cage or wound rotor motors rated 600 V or less. Controllers for squirrel cage motors may be for across-the-line or reduced inrush current starting. Controllers may be provided with integral automatic transfer switches.

1.1.3 Variable speed fire pump controllers for electric motor driven, centrifugal fire pumps are intended for use with squirrel cage induction, inverter duty rated motors rated 600 V or less, and rated for 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

1.1.4 Limited service controllers are intended for across-the-line starting of squirrel cage motors rated 22 kW (30 hp) or less, 600 V or less. Controllers may be provided with integral automatic transfer switches.

1.1.5 Medium voltage fire pump controllers are intended for use with squirrel cage motors rated 601 V - 7.2 kV AC.

1.1.6 Residential fire pump controllers are intended for use with single-phase squirrel cage motors rated 240 V or less. Residential fire pump controllers are intended to be used in one or two family dwelling units in accordance with the requirements of item 35 in Annex a.

1.1.7 Diesel engine fire pump controllers rated nominal 24 V DC or less are intended for use with fire pump engines. Where required, AC voltage is limited to 600 V AC or less.

1.2 Products not covered

Summary of Topics

This new edition of UL 218 adopts the following revisions:

1. Correlating UL 218 with the 2013 Edition of NFPA 20.

2. Revise the definitions in UL 218 to correlate with the definitions in the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70).

3. Revising the requirements covering service equipment markings to include a reference to NEC Article 230.

4. Revising 6.9.1 to change the term "line voltages" to "phase-to-phase voltages."

5. Addition of interconnection diagrams for fire pump controllers and diesel engines to correlate with recent revisions to UL 1247.

6. Revising to the requirements covering diesel engine fire pump controllers relative to controllers in the automatic mode, where an operator can crank and start the engine manually at the controller without cooling loop water being provided automatically through the engine.

7. Add “Symmetrical rms amperes” as a footnote to Table 10 similar to footnote “a” in Table 6.

8. Requirements that are being proposed to be revised include the construction requirements, dielectric voltage withstand test, disconnecting means, diesel engine drive controllers, dump valves, variable speed fire pump controllers, markings, the deletion of requirements covering the limited service controllers for electric motor driven fire pumps, and the addition of Section 17, Routine Tests.

9. Revising the requirements contained in Subsection 9.1, General, of Section 9, Residential Fire Pump Controllers.

10. Aligning the standard with NFPA 20.

11. Adding the term "...for Use in One- and Two-Family Dwellings" in item (c) of 16.3.

As noted in the Commitment for Amendments statement located on the back side of the title page, UL, CSA, and ANCE are committed to updating this harmonized standard jointly.