Whether you’re planning a new building or replacing fire protection equipment in an existing one, there are many factors that go into selecting and installing the right fire water pump. The type of water supply used, the building’s occupancies and local fire codes are all critical to ensure proper installation. Additionally, it is a legal requirement for owners and/or employers to have their fire safety systems in place and operating properly.
A fire water pump is a device that is required in most commercial buildings for the purpose of providing firefighting water for fire suppression systems. There are many different types of fire pumps, all with a specific set of applications. To help you make the best choice, understand the operating principles, driver options and application of fire water pumps.
First, figure out what flow rate you’ll need to achieve. You must consider the total water volume you want to move, as well as losses from friction within the pipes. The friction loss is calculated by multiplying the pipe’s internal diameter by its length, and adding the result to the system pressure. This is known as the system head (or discharge pressure).
Next, know what the maximum flow rate your fire pump can handle is. You’ll also want to take into account the rated pressure of your sprinklers. This information can be obtained from the manufacturer’s performance curve. These curves display the total net pressure generated by a model of fire pump at various flow conditions from churn to full-flow, and are used to determine how much of a boost you’ll need to get your desired flow rate.