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IS 7779 : 1975Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of fire fighting pumps

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NFPA 20 · BS EN 12845 · AS 2941
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Building Planning and Design
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 7779:1975 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for selection, installation and maintenance of fire fighting pumps. This code of practice outlines the requirements for the selection, installation, and maintenance of centrifugal fire fighting pumps. It covers both electric motor and diesel engine-driven pump sets, their components, and testing procedures to ensure reliability in an emergency.

Provides guidance on the selection, installation, testing, and maintenance of pumps specifically for fire fighting purposes.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Fire Safety — Building Planning and Design
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
NFPA 20:2022 · National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USABS EN 12845:2015+A1:2019 · British Standards Institution (BSI) / European Committee for Standardization (CEN), UK/EuropeAS 2941:2013 · Standards Australia, AustraliaLPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations · Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), UK
Typically used with
IS 1520
Also on InfraLens for IS 7779
5Key values4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! This is an old standard and has been largely superseded by the National Building Code (NBC) of India Part 4 and IS 15301. Always refer to the latest NBC for current requirements.
! Ensure adequate pump room ventilation, especially for diesel pumps, to prevent overheating and exhaust fume accumulation.
! The pump's suction line must be as short and straight as possible, with a positive suction head to prevent cavitation and ensure reliable operation.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3Selection of PumpsCl. 4InstallationCl. 5MaintenanceCl. 6Acceptance Tests
Pulled from IS 7779:1975. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
pumpsdiesel engineselectric motorsvalvespipescontrollers

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
NFPA 20:2022National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), USA
HighCurrent
Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
Both standards cover selection, installation, and testing of pumps for fire protection services.
BS EN 12845:2015+A1:2019British Standards Institution (BSI) / European Committee for Standardization (CEN), UK/Europe
MediumCurrent
Fixed firefighting systems - Automatic sprinkler systems - Design, installation and maintenance
Covers water supplies and pumpsets specifically for automatic sprinkler systems, a subset of IS 7779's broader scope.
AS 2941:2013Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Fixed fire protection installations — Pumpset systems
Provides requirements for the design, construction, installation, and commissioning of fire pumpsets.
LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler InstallationsLoss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), UK
MediumCurrent
LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations incorporating BS EN 12845
Provides enhanced requirements for pumpsets (based on BS EN 12845) with an emphasis on property loss prevention.
Key Differences
≠IS 7779:1975 is a code of practice, whereas NFPA 20 requires major components (pump, driver, controller) to be 'Listed' by a third-party testing laboratory (e.g., UL, FM Global), ensuring a higher level of performance and reliability.
≠IS 7779's requirements for controllers are very basic. Modern standards like NFPA 20 specify detailed features for microprocessor-based controllers, including event logging, diagnostics, battery monitoring, and specific operational logic.
≠IS 7779 does not mention Variable Speed Drives (VSDs). NFPA 20 has specific chapters detailing requirements for the use of listed VSDs for pressure-limiting applications, a significant technological advancement.
≠The requirements for diesel engine fuel systems in IS 7779 are minimal. NFPA 20 mandates specifics like minimum fuel tank capacity for extended run times (12 hours vs 4 hours in IS), fuel level monitoring, and often double-wall tank construction.
≠Testing and maintenance procedures in IS 7779 are less rigorous (e.g., 5-min weekly run). NFPA 20 requires more detailed and longer tests, such as a 30-minute weekly run for diesel engines and an annual full-flow test using calibrated flow-measuring equipment.
Key Similarities
≈All standards recognize the same primary driver types for fire pumps: electric motors and diesel engines.
≈The fundamental principle of automatic operation based on a pressure drop in the fire protection system is a core concept in IS 7779 and all its international equivalents.
≈All standards mandate the use of a small pressure maintenance pump (jockey pump) to compensate for minor system leaks and prevent frequent cycling of the main fire pump.
≈The preferred types of pumps, such as horizontal split-case and vertical shaft turbine centrifugal pumps, are common across all the standards for primary fire service.
≈All standards emphasize the need for a reliable and independent power source for the fire pump, especially for electric motor-driven units, to ensure operation during an emergency.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Pump Shutoff (No-Flow) PressureShould not exceed 120% of rated head.Shall not exceed 140% of the pressure at rated capacity and flow.NFPA 20:2022
Diesel Engine Power ReserveEngine should have at least 20% reserve power over the maximum power required by the pump.The engine must be able to supply the maximum brake horsepower required by the pump at any point on its curve; no explicit reserve percentage is mandated as the engine is selected to handle the full load.NFPA 20:2022
Diesel Fuel Tank CapacitySufficient for 4 hours of continuous running at full load.Sufficient for 12 hours of operation (calculated as 1 gal/hp-hr or 5.07 L/kW-hr plus factors).NFPA 20:2022
Weekly Test Duration (Diesel)Run for at least 5 minutes every week.Operated weekly for a minimum of 30 minutes.NFPA 20:2022
Casing Relief ValveRecommended on electric motor-driven pumps to prevent overheating at no-flow.Required on all electric motor-driven pumps and on automatically started diesel-driven pumps.NFPA 20:2022
Jockey Pump Start PressureStarts at 0.5-0.7 kgf/cm² (7-10 psi) below normal system pressure.Starts at a pressure at least 10 psi (0.7 bar) below the jockey pump stop point/system pressure.NFPA 20:2022
Main Pump Start SettingStarts when pressure drops by 1-1.5 kgf/cm² (14-21 psi) below normal pressure.Starts at a pressure approximately 5 psi (0.35 bar) below the jockey pump start pressure.NFPA 20:2022
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Minimum clearance around pump set1 m
Jockey pump cut-in pressure (typical)0.5 kg/cm² below system pressure
Main pump cut-in pressure (typical)1.0 kg/cm² below system pressure
Recommended weekly test frequencyOnce a week
Diesel engine fuel tank capacitySufficient for 3 hours of continuous running

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Selection of Pumps
Clause 4 - Installation
Clause 5 - Maintenance
Clause 6 - Acceptance Tests

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1520:1994Horizontal Steel Tanks for Storage of Petrole...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What are the approved drivers for fire pumps?+
The code specifies either electric motors or compression-ignition (diesel) engines as prime movers for the pumps (Clause 3.2).
What is the purpose of a jockey pump?+
A jockey pump is a small pump used to maintain system pressure against small leaks, preventing the main fire pump from frequent and unnecessary starts (Clause 3.4).
How often should fire pumps be tested?+
A routine test should be carried out once a week to ensure the pump and its driver are in working order (Clause 5.2.1).
What are the key considerations for installing a fire pump?+
The pump should be installed on a proper foundation in a location safe from fire, with adequate space for maintenance and proper suction/delivery piping arrangements (Clause 4).

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