Which of the following is NOT a common drive type for NFPA 20 fire pumps?

Which of the following is NOT a common drive type for NFPA 20 fire pumps?

• A. Electric motor
• B. Diesel engine
• C. Steam turbine
• D. Hydraulic motor

Answer: (C)

The drive options for NFPA 20 fire pumps are all about what prime mover can reliably deliver the pump’s horsepower when needed, with electric motors and diesel engines being the most common due to simplicity, reliability, and ease of maintenance. A steam turbine drive, while technically permitted in some large or specialized installations, isn’t commonly used because it requires a dedicated steam supply and boiler plant, plus the associated piping, controls, and maintenance. That added complexity and infrastructure makes steam turbines much less practical for typical fire pump installations. Hydraulic motor drives do exist in certain setups where a hydraulic power unit is already part of the plant, but they’re not the standard choice in most facilities. So, steam turbine is not a common drive type for NFPA 20 fire pumps.

The drive options for NFPA 20 fire pumps are all about what prime mover can reliably deliver the pump’s horsepower when needed, with electric motors and diesel engines being the most common due to simplicity, reliability, and ease of maintenance. A steam turbine drive, while technically permitted in some large or specialized installations, isn’t commonly used because it requires a dedicated steam supply and boiler plant, plus the associated piping, controls, and maintenance. That added complexity and infrastructure makes steam turbines much less practical for typical fire pump installations. Hydraulic motor drives do exist in certain setups where a hydraulic power unit is already part of the plant, but they’re not the standard choice in most facilities. So, steam turbine is not a common drive type for NFPA 20 fire pumps.