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What We Do Fire Protection Systems Fire Sprinklers Fire Pumps
What We Do Fire Protection Systems Fire Sprinklers Fire Pumps
Fire Pumps
When installed, fire pumps are a crucial part of a fire protection system.
Some facts about Fire Pumps:
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They can be installed on fire sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire hydrants, tank protection, and a whole host of other fire protection applications
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They are installed because existing water pressure or supply is inadequate; fire pumps can be used to boost pressure on an existing municipal water supply or draft off tanks to create their own pressure
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they can be electrical, diesel or steam driven
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they can come in several configurations and designs (depending on the application)When a fire pump is installed on a fire protection system it is designed to turn on automatically when there is a specified pressure drop in the system (an example of a pressure drop in the system would be when fire sprinklers are discharging water during a fire condition). Typically, there is also a very small secondary pump called a "jockey pump" that keeps the pressure on a fire protection system maintained to a specified level. Once there is any significant pressure drop in the piping system, the jockey pump will turn on first in an attempt to maintain a level of pressure in the fire protection system. However, the jockey pump will not keep up the required pressure, so the fire pump will then turn on at a predetermined pressure level.
Fire pumps are not stand-alone pieces of fire protection equipment; they could have many other critical components connected to them for proper operation. There are water storage tanks, pump panels, relief valves, pressure regulators, cooling water, diesel tanks, control valves, pressure switches, etc. Failure of any one of these auxiliary components can put an immediate stop to a fire pump's operation or cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. In the event that fire pumps fail to turn on, or are not performing properly, the fire protection system becomes significantly compromised (or does not function at all).
It is crucial to test fire pumps (and all auxiliary components) on a regular basis, as required by law.
It is crucial to test fire pumps (and all auxiliary components) on a regular basis, as required by law.