Carrying out a weekly fire pump inspection and testing sensing lines for fire pumps
would help you ensure the system is in operating condition and is free from
any physical damage. You can also detect deficiencies that may not be visible
by visual inspection and assure that the pump can ably provide continuous water
delivery for required fire protection demands.
Here are a
few important things to keep in mind during pump mounting and piping:
·
Install
the fire pump in a dry place as near the city water as possible with a short,
direct suction pipe.
·
Make
sure there is sufficient space above the pump to give it some clearance for
general accessibility and ventilation.
·
Foundation
must be substantial to absorb vibrations and form a rigid support for the baseplate.
·
The
foundation bolts you use should be of suitable size embedded in the concrete.
·
The
fire pump should be firmly mounted before the operation begins.
·
Never
use flexible connectors on the suction/discharge of a vertical in-line fire pump
unless the pump is rigidly standing on a foundation.
·
Assure
the piping doesn’t exert any strain on the pump, since this could distort or
damage the casing. Plus, it mustn’t produce any vibrations during operation.
·
Connecting
pipe flanges should be square to the piping and parallel to the pump flanges.
·
Install
eccentric reducers on the suction connection with the flat side upward.
·
Lay
out the suction line in such a position that it continually rises toward the
pump without high points.
Weekly Fire Pump Inspection and
Testing
To avoid any
false alarms, provide notification to the alarm monitoring facility before and
after completing the weekly fire pump test. Make sure all fire pump supervisory
signals are received by the facility. Here’s a checklist and some jockey pump sensing line details for the
weekly inspection:
•
Take
a look at the power-indicating light (for the electric fire pump) on the
controller to confirm there is power to the pump.
•
Make
sure there’s normal heat in the fire pump room, which should not be less than
40ºF and 70ºF for diesel pumps without engine heaters.
•
The
ventilating louvers must be free to operate, and the pump suction, discharge,
and bypass valves should be kept open.
•
Examine
the pipework, fitting, and connections for any potential physical damage or
leaking.
•
The
suction and discharge gauge pressure reading should be normal.
Electric Fire Pump Weekly Test
Procedure
Verify the start
and stop settings on the jockey pump sensing line details by dropping the water pressure in sensing lines for fire pumps. When done with all inspection
procedures, try to start the pump automatically by dropping the water pressure
in the controller sensing line. After that, the pump should run for at least
ten minutes. Check the pressure at which it automatically started.
Make sure there
is proper tightness and adequate lubrication. Verify the operation of the
circulation relief valve, which is usually located on a 1-inch line off the discharge
side of the pump. Also, check the pump shaft bearings, packing, stuffing, and
casing for any signs of overheating, noise, or vibration. If your pump is
equipped with a main relief valve, then it is important to ensure proper
operation.
At Callaghan Pump…
We offer a
complete range of sensing lines for fire pumps, from horizontal to vertical fire pumps. Plus, they are available in both
electric and diesel engines. As one of the most renowned names in the pumping
industry, every line of fire pumps we offer is made from the best materials
possible.
For fire pump sensing line details, contact us.
