Overview
Fire pump is critical component of building’s fire protection system design to deliver water with adequate pressure to the sprinkler system, standpipe, foam system, water spray, and water mist.
In majority of the cases it is required to be supervised by the building fire alarm.
Fire Pump System Types
- Electric Fire PumpsElectric fire pumps use an electric motor and controller and are common where reliable electrical service and emergency power arrangements are available.
- Diesel Fire PumpsDiesel fire pumps use an engine, fuel supply, batteries, chargers, cooling, exhaust, and ventilation systems that must be inspected and tested as part of routine maintenance.
- Vertical Turbine PumpsVertical turbine pumps are used where water is drawn from tanks, wells, reservoirs, or other supplies below the pump discharge level.
- Horizontal Split-Case and End-Suction PumpsThese common pump arrangements are selected based on available space, water supply, required flow, and system design conditions.
- In-Line PumpIn-line pumps are useful where space is limited. These can be driven by both a vertical or horizontal shaft pumps
- Centrifugal PumpsIn Centrifugal pumps pressure is developed by centrifugal force or spinning. Water in centrifugal pumps enters the suction inlet and passes to the center of the impeller. The rotation of the impeller, in turn, drives the water by centrifugal force to the rim where it discharges. Centrifugal pumps can handle large volumes of water while providing high pressure boosts.
Code Requirements
Fire Code Requirements
- Fire pump assemblies serving water-based fire protection systems shall be maintained in operable condition and inspected, tested, and maintained under the applicable fire code requirements adopted for the building.
- Inspection, testing, maintenance, records, and deficiency follow-up should be coordinated with the building owner, fire safety plan, and authority having jurisdiction where applicable.
NFPA 20 and NFPA 25 Requirements
- Routine visual inspection includes pump room condition, heat, ventilation, controller status, valve position, gauges, cooling level leaks, and normal operating conditions.
- No-flow or churn testing confirms pump start, controller operation, running pressure, abnormal vibration, leaks, and general operating condition.
- Annual flow testing verifies pump performance against rated flow and pressure and helps identify deterioration or supply issues.
- Diesel fire pump maintenance includes fuel, oil, coolant, batteries, chargers, block heater, exhaust, cooling, ventilation, and run-time checks.
- Test results, deficiencies, repairs, and corrective actions should be documented and retained for review.
What We Provide
- Weekly and monthly fire pump inspection.
- Annual fire pump performance testing.
- Fast turnover inspection reports.
- Deficiency repair.
- Fire pump replacement and upgrade.
- Design and installation.