Sprinkler protection for pump rooms: UNI EN 12845 includes a provision that, when read “on its own,” may appear to be a requirement that always applies. In reality, there are circumstances under which such protection may be omitted, but only in specific cases and subject to precise documentary verification.*
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Sprinkler Protection for Pump Rooms: What UNI EN 12845 (10.3.2) Specifies
Section 10.3.2 of UNI EN 12845 contains the regulatory requirement that gives rise to this request: rooms housing pump sets must be protected by sprinklers.
The same article also specifies that the rules address how such protection must be implemented. Taken at face value, this approach often leads to an immediate conclusion: “Every fire pump room must be equipped with sprinklers.”
Because it seems like an obligation “always” (but that’s not the only way to interpret it)
If one focuses solely on the prescriptive clause of UNI EN 12845, it is natural to interpret it as a general requirement for all premises containing pump-sets.
The key point, however, is that design and verification often require following the regulatory references cited in related technical documents, which help clarify when a requirement may allow for exceptions in specific cases.
The contribution of UNI/TR 11438:2016 (7.1) and the reference to exceptions
Upon reading section 7.1 of UNI/TR 11438:2016, it becomes clear that exceptions to the requirements of UNI EN 12845 may be made in certain cases.
Section 7.1, citing UNI EN 12845, states that:
- The rules require that a sprinkler system be installed to protect the premises themselves;
- For power supplies used exclusively to power fire hydrant systems, refer to any exceptions listedin Appendix A of UNI 10779.
Therefore, to determine whether you are indeed subject to the “always” requirement, the next step is to check the specific conditions in UNI 10779.
Exceptions in UNI 10779 (Appendix A, A.1.6 “Sprinkler Protection”)
To identify the exceptions, refer to Appendix A of UNI 10779 (the text notes that, in the meantime, it has been updated to the 2021 edition). The relevant section is A.1.6 Sprinkler Protection, which states that:
In a pump room, if it is used exclusively to supply hydrants for hazard level 1 and 2 areas and there are no units powered by internal combustion engines, the automatic sprinkler system may be omitted.
In other words, the omission is not a “free design choice”: it is linked to a combination of conditions (exclusive use of fire hydrants, hazard levels 1–2, absence of internal combustion engines).
Note on UNI 11292:2019 (6.2): What Changes If Sprinklers Are Missing
UNI 10779 (A.1.6) includes the following note: “See section 6.2 of UNI 11292.”
The text notes that, according to UNI 11292:2019, section 6.2:
- If there is no sprinkler system protecting the pump room,the electrical system must be flame-resistant in terms of materials and/or installation (UNI EN 12845).
This is an aspect that is often overlooked: when an exception allows for the omission of sprinkler protection in a room, it does not mean “no additional requirements,” because the condition regarding the electrical system comes into play.
Practical Guide: When Sprinkler Protection Is Required in the Pump Room
Based on the scenario described in the text, sprinkler protection must always be in place when any of the following situations apply:
- pressurization units for use with sprinkler systems (regardless of the type of motor);
- pressurization units for use with sprinkler systems and fire hydrant systems (combined supply systems), regardless of the type of motor;
- Pressurization systems for fire hydrant networks that include main pumps driven by diesel engines.
In such cases, the approach described above leads to the conclusion that sprinkler protection for the pump room should be considered a requirement.
Practical Guide: When Sprinkler Protection in the Pump Room Can Be Omitted
Sprinkler protection may be omitted if the room contains only:
- pressurization systems intended EXCLUSIVELY for use with fire hydrant systems;
- using ONLY AND EXCLUSIVELY main pumps driven by ELECTRIC motors;
and this is true if, and only if, the areas to be protected are classified as hazard levels 1 and 2.
Furthermore, in the absence of a sprinkler system, the following requirement still applies:the electrical system must be flame-resistant in terms of materials and/or installation.
Conclusion
Sprinkler protection for the pump room should not be considered “always mandatory” or “always optional”: it depends on the system configuration (sprinkler, hydrants, or a combination), the type of engine (electric or diesel/internal combustion), and the hazard level (1–2), in addition to the resulting requirements for the electrical system when such protection is absent.
If you’d like, we can set up a guided assessment on a case-by-case basis, starting with: power supply type, motors installed, and area classification.
