46 CFR 108.415: General fire pump requirements for fire mains
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the basic fire pump requirement for a fire main system. The system must have at least two independently driven fire pumps. Each pump must deliver water at a set pitot tube pressure to the highest two fire hydrants on the unit.
Applies toThe text applies to a fire main system and, for the alternative designs, to column stabilized and self elevating units.
What it says
A fire main system must have at least two independently driven fire pumps.
“A fire main system must have at least two independently driven fire pumps”
Each fire pump must be able to deliver water at a continuous pitot tube pressure of at least 3.5 kilograms per square centimeter (approximately 50 pounds per square inch).
“that can each deliver water at a continuous pitot tube pressure of at least 3.5 kilograms per square centimeter (approximately 50 pounds per square inch)”
The pressure must be delivered at at least two fire hose nozzles that are connected to the highest two fire hydrants on the unit.
“at least two fire hose nozzles that are connected to the highest two fire hydrants on the unit”
Alternative designs that meet the pressure requirement of this paragraph will be considered for column stabilized and self elevating units.
“Alternative designs that meet the pressure requirement of this paragraph will be considered for column stabilized and self elevating units.”
Common questions
How many fire pumps must a fire main system have?
A fire main system must have at least two independently driven fire pumps.
“A fire main system must have at least two independently driven fire pumps”
What pressure must each fire pump deliver?
Each pump must deliver water at a continuous pitot tube pressure of at least 3.5 kilograms per square centimeter (approximately 50 pounds per square inch).
“that can each deliver water at a continuous pitot tube pressure of at least 3.5 kilograms per square centimeter (approximately 50 pounds per square inch)”
Are alternative fire pump designs allowed on column stabilized or self elevating units?
Alternative designs that meet the pressure requirement will be considered for column stabilized and self elevating units.
“Alternative designs that meet the pressure requirement of this paragraph will be considered for column stabilized and self elevating units.”
The text of 46 CFR 108.415
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Fire pump: General
A fire main system must have at least two independently driven fire pumps that can each deliver water at a continuous pitot tube pressure of at least 3.5 kilograms per square centimeter (approximately 50 pounds per square inch) at least two fire hose nozzles that are connected to the highest two fire hydrants on the unit. Alternative designs that meet the pressure requirement of this paragraph will be considered for column stabilized and self elevating units.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.