FIRE PUMPS

Horizontal Electric

A fire pump is designed to increase the water pressure. The pump intake and discharge piping must be capable of flowing the required volume to which the pump will add the needed pressure for fire protection. The pump can be started manually but is usually arranged to start automatically upon a drop in system pressure or the activation of a fire suppression system. Automatic starting requires a controller. Engines for operating the pump can be electric or diesel. Sizes range from 25 gallons per minute to 5000 gallons per minute.

Horizontal Diesel

Fire pumps are rated by their ability to pump a specific volume of water, usually measured in gallons per minute (gpm) at a rated pump pressure and pump speed. The pump must be able to deliver 150% of this rated flow at 65% of its rated pressure. In addition, under no-flow conditions, the pressure must reach not more than 140% of the rated pressure (sometimes called the churn pressure).