Fire pumps are a crucial part of many water-based fire protection systems. They’re used to increase the pressure (measured in psi or bar) of a water supply, whether it’s an onsite storage tank that refills when the water level falls or a municipal water source. The right design, installation and acceptance testing for a fire pump ensures it’s ready to protect the building on the day it is needed.
The size of a fire pump and the hose it’s coupled with depends on the application. For example, a fire pump may need to flow large volumes when extinguishing a lumberyard fire and smaller amounts when dealing with a dumpster fire. The pump’s horsepower demand also needs to be matched with the type of nozzle being used as it will affect the engine pressure at which the firewater is delivered.
The most common means of powering a fire water pump is an electric motor, but diesel engines and steam turbines are also options. Regardless of which driver is chosen, it must be able to comply with the UL and FM requirements for its certified factory test curve, which shows a rise from shut off to churn and then back down to rated point. It is important to choose a fire pump that’s rated at 150% of its rated curve to allow it to function properly at the required performance points. This will not only ensure that the pump can operate when needed, but it will do so at a consistent and efficient rate. fire water pump