Fire Pumps
Fire pumps raise the pressure and flow of an in-plant water supply to the level required by sprinkler and other fixed extinguishing systems whenever the available water source alone is insufficient.
Types and Drivers
Electrically driven pumps are frequently combined with an independent diesel-driven pump to secure the water supply even during a power outage. A small jockey pump maintains system pressure between demands and prevents unnecessary starts of the main pump. The controller starts the main pump automatically once pressure drops below a defined setpoint.
Acceptance and Recurring Tests
An acceptance test under full flow follows installation; in service, weekly no-flow test runs and at least annual full-flow tests are required. Deficiencies commonly found during testing include insufficient diesel fuel reserves, weak or undercharged starter batteries, and missing or incomplete maintenance records.
Insurance Relevance
If the fire pump fails when needed, the entire downstream extinguishing system becomes ineffective, regardless of how carefully it was otherwise designed. Property insurers treat driver redundancy, the testing regime and permanent accessibility of the pump room as a distinct, often decisive risk factor.
Standards and codes
- FM Data Sheet 3-7 – Fire Protection Pumps
- NFPA 20 – Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection