What is a Fire Pump?

Designed especially for high-rise structures, but important for other multi-level buildings as well, firefighting pumps increase the pressure of the water source to make sure that there’s enough for your space and your needs. After all, if you have a large structure it can be difficult to get enough water pressure through all of the floors without some assistance.

Why Fire Protection System Pumps Matter

While we’ve mentioned that fire pumps work to improve the water pressure we haven’t talked a lot about why that’s so important. One reason that fire sprinkler pumps and adequate water pressure are so important to fire protection is that they provide more power and protection behind the sprinkler systems in your building if you ever experience a fire.

While no one wants to think about having a fire, it’s definitely something you should be prepared for. That includes making sure that you have the right fire extinguishers, escape plan, and the right sprinkler system to put out the fire. With the right fire protection system pumps, you’re going to be well on your way to getting an effective sprinkler system set up.

Fire Pumps vs. Water Booster System

When creating your fire safety system in any building, you may consider a water booster system instead of a fire pump. While both are similar, there is one major difference, which is the capability of the system. A fire pump is much larger than a water booster system, which means that it’s capable of providing even more power and water pressure as needed.

Types of Commercial Fire Pumps

Now, when you hear about fire protection system pumps, you might think that they are a universal product that you simply buy and install. But that’s not the case at all. There are actually several different types of fire fighting pumps, and it’s important that you have the right one in your business to keep your customers, clients, guests, and employees safer all around.

In installing the fire pump, it is essential to work with the fire department to ensure that it is a location that provides adequate access to the room and the fire pump in case of a fire. The pump must be installed with the water supply and also be in a space that is free of all other encumbrances, excepting for a water booster or hydropneumatic tank. It is generally installed in a room above ground, though it can be housed below-ground if necessary.

• Positive Displacement Pumps: First up are positive displacement pumps, which collect water during pump revolution then push it out. If you’ve ever used a pump for your bike tires you’ve used this type of pump. It’s great for high pressure, even if you need extremely high pressure, but it can have a lower level of flow volume, which can limit the pumps actual usability.
• Centrifugal Pumps: When it comes to the best firefighting water pumps, this is the type of pump that you will see most frequently. That’s because centrifugal fire pumps use spinning action or centrifugal force, to create pressure. The water goes into the suction inlet, goes through to the center, and then is spun to the edges. From there, it can be forced out. This type of pump offers great volume as well as water pressure. Plus, a centrifugal pump can be configured in different ways to best suit your needs regarding water pressure and space.
• Horizontal Split-Case Pump: This type of pump offers exactly what it sounds like, split flow. Water will enter into the impeller from both sides through a split casing. This steel casing, which is connected on a horizontal shaft, makes it easier to clean the fire pump system. Altogether this means you’re going to have a very good option for pressure, flow rate, and maintenance. Plus, horizontal split-case fire pumps are super reliable.
• Vertical Turbine Pump: A vertical turbine pump uses negative suction pressure, which means it takes water from a below-grade source. It’s actually the only type of turbine pump approved to do this under the NFPA Code 20 guidelines, which dictates the installation of fire pumps (see more on NFPA 20 below). That means that while this fire pump system it’s unique, it’s also extremely useful. This type of pump uses ponds, lakes, and rivers to get water, which means it needs less man-made options. It also offers great pressure and water capacity and works with both electric and diesel drivers.
• In-Line Pump: If you don’t have a lot of space available in your building, an in-line pump may be the best way to go. This type uses either vertical or horizontal shafts and has the suction and discharge at approximately the same level. In-line fire pumps aren’t quite as popular because of their limited capacity and their compatibility with only electric drivers.
• End Suction Pump: With an end suction fire pump, the discharge is perpendicular to the suction. What this does is create a more compact design that doesn’t take up as much space. That’s great for those who have smaller buildings or storage spaces. While this does limit the amount of capacity, these fire protection system pumps can be used with either electric or diesel drivers.
• Multistage Multiport Pump: Finally, we have the multistage multiport pump, which uses a single driver that’s either electric or diesel. It then connects to several impellers and uses a horizontal shaft. What’s different is that it has several discharge outlets that will have specific pressure capabilities, giving you the flexibility to tap into the specific pressure level you need.

NFPA Fire Pump Guidelines

When it comes to getting the right fire pumps, you need to make sure that you’re following the rules. And the NFPA is the one that issues the rules in this case. That’s the National Fire Protection Association, and they know everything you need to do when it comes to fire safety, electrical safety, and more.

• NFPA Fire Pump Guidelines: According to NFPA Code 20, fire protection system pumps must be installed to certain specifications in order to be compliant. We’ll take a look at some of the requirements here.
  • A fire pump must be sized to meet the requirements of the most hydraulically-demanding portion of the system that it is powering. Your building must also be inspected and classified with a specific hazard level before the appropriate pump size is determined. This includes a review of the size of the building, the materials present in the building, and what the building is used for, in order to determine if it poses a larger fire risk. Less ‘hazardous’ buildings may not need as large of a fire pump as a similarly-sized ‘hazardous’ building.
  • Extremely high buildings may require more than a single fire pump because they may need even more pressure than a single pump can provide. According to NFPA 20, up to three fire pumps can work in a series to provide this level of protection.
  • NFPA 20 also requires that fire pump testing - in the form of a water flow test - be used to ensure that a fire pump is adequate and functioning up to par. Fire water pump testing must be done at least every 12 months.
  • There are some fire pump room requirements, however, including:
  • A diesel fire pump requires a fuel storage tank with at least 1 gallon of fuel per horsepower, as well as space for thermal expansion. It also requires a dike for potential fuel spills and generally a pressure-relief valve if necessary. There must also be a muffler to route the exhaust outside. Added to that is a requirement for this pump to be located in a completely separate fire pump room or a separate room that can access the outside.
  • An electric ‘fuel’ pump is generally preferred and requires less added features and support in order to be safe and compliant.

Find out even more at CSEMag.

Testing and Monitoring of Fire Pumps

In short, there are various critical requirements that must be followed when it comes to installing emergency fire pump protection systems, from fire pump room requirements to the fire pump inspection procedure. You want to make sure you are in compliance with all of the requirements of the NFPA to ensure the overall safety of everyone within your building.

You will need to follow the appropriate codes to ensure your diesel or electric fuel pump is operating in the right conditions and the right room. You will also need to conduct testing of your fire protection system pumps at least once every 12 months to ensure compatibility with the NFPA regulations. And you will need to have maintenance or repair work done on an as-needed basis.

Improving Fire Safety with Edison Parker

When it comes to safety and protection, you don’t want to cut corners or compromise in any way.
So, what does all of this mean for you? It means that if you have a high-rise building or even just a large building, a fire pump controller should be a priority for you. But it can be difficult to get started with a fire water pump or a fire pump system. You need to know who you’re working with in regards to fire pump inspection procedure and fire pump manufacturers and installers, to make sure you’re getting the job done right.

Edison Parker, expert fire pump manufacturers in the NY and NJ tri-state area, provides services for all of your commercial HVAC maintenance and commercial building HVAC systems, including:

• Heat and ventilation systems
• Heat circulator pumps
• Domestic water and sewage pumps
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Well pumps
• and more

Industries Edison Parker works with include:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Hospitals and nursing homes
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Factories

If that’s what you’re looking for, then Edison Parker is here to help! Our team of mechanical repair technicians can help with answers to questions like ‘when does a building need a fire pump’ to specifics about the best fire fighting water pumps to consider. We can also help set up a fire pump test header, fire pump installation diagram, and a whole lot more. And, even more, we can help you keep your system running properly over the long haul. We work with you for your fire pump from start to finish.

More than that, we provide you with a job done right. Honesty, professionalism, and attention to detail are our way of life and we offer all of these and more with each job we do. You’ll get exactly what you and your business need with quick response times, hard work, and a whole lot more. There’s no need to worry about what you’re getting with Edison Parker.

When you’re ready to get started, just give us a call and find out more about the options that are out there for you, and what we can do to set up your system properly and safely. Our commercial HVAC contractors will take care of anything and everything you need, and give you a great quote to help.

To find out more about our services, give us a call at 718-768-1600 or by contacting us through our website.