A fire pump is more than just the name of the pump — it is an entire system made up of the motor – or driver – and the control panel. It is responsible for keeping the water distribution network for fire protection systems (hydrant networks, BIEs and sprinklers) full and pressurized and ready to go in case of an emergency.
During normal operations, a fire pump works by using the electric motor to draw water from its reservoir or tank and increase its pressure before it is pumped out through the hose standpipes and into the fire suppression network. This process is known as pressure maintenance.
As an important piece of equipment, the fire pump is constantly being used. This means that it can often be subjected to high temperatures and abrasive conditions that can damage the system.
It is therefore important to carry out regular inspections and maintenance of the fire pump in order to ensure that it always functions as it should in an emergency. This is especially true if it is a portable fire pump that is being used to supply hydrants or fire sprinklers.
In addition to weekly inspections, fire pumps must also be tested on a monthly and annual basis. This involves a series of different tests to ensure that the fire pump will be able to deliver water at the required rate in case of an emergency.
This can include both the pressure test and a flow test, which must be conducted in accordance with NFPA 25. The pressure test is the most critical, as it ensures that the fire pump will be able to create the necessary water pressure when it is needed.
As part of the regular maintenance, fire pumps are typically fitted with a hydropneumatic accumulator. This is designed to absorb the small losses that occur during operation. This will help to prevent the fire pump from running dry and will also save electricity and fuel.
Today’s fire pumps are an amazing piece of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. As a result, it is essential that the fire department’s MPO has a full understanding of all of the whats, whys and hows of their assigned engine.
If the MPO is not familiar with how their fire pump works it can easily lead to mistakes that can be costly for the department in terms of both money and lives. A common mistake is not ensuring that the fire pump has the correct flow pressure for every pre-connected hose line on the apparatus. This can be easily prevented by using modern engines that have a built-in flow calculator to determine the correct discharge pressure for each pre-connected line.
If you are looking for a fire pump that will be capable of supplying your hydrants or fire sprinklers, then look no further than the Godwin Dri-Prime line of portable fire pumps. With a variety of options ranging from hose reel to hydrant applications and capabilities up to 5,000 GPM at 265 PSI, Godwin has the fire pump you need.