Diesel Fire Pumps: Everything You Need to Know About Inspection and Testing

There’s no better protection from fire accidents than proper preparation and maintenance of your diesel fire pumps. Thus, you should protect your business/place of residence with expert fire maintenance and inspection. Let’s learn about them in this blog post!

Fire Pump Inspection and Testing

Since pressure sensing lines in fire pumps help maintain designed pressure on each fire sprinkler system, make sure you know how to take care of them. When your fire pump stops working, the fire sprinkler system won’t get to the desired water pressure during an emergency. Thus, maintaining it would help you diagnose and prevent potential issues before they get worse.

Inspections are visual observations to verify that a fire pump system appears to be in good operating condition. It determines whether the system is free of physical damage. On the other hand, tests include hands-on simulations that mean taking actions on the fire protection system. Below are some key fire pumps tests and inspections:

• Weekly fire pump tests: This includes inspecting the condition of your pump room and the fire pump system.
• Monthly fire pump inspections: This includes checking the pump operation. You should run the test for 10-15 minutes.
• Annual fire pump inspections: Check the pump operation for both diesel and electric pumps. Test the alarm signals and be sure to service hydraulic systems, mechanical transmissions, and motors on an annual basis.

Now that you know the main types of fire pump tests and inspections, it’s time to know what you should keep in mind while inspecting your electric or diesel fire pumps. By practicing the following tips, you can prolong the life of your sensing line for fire pumps.

• Perform weekly fire pump tests that can be carried out by a designated person.
• Inspect the power source of your fire pump, be it an electric or diesel engine.
• Make sure the source can be cycled once or twice a year.
• Maintain lubrication to prevent parts inside the fire pump from locking in place.
• Check the fire pump components inside your fire pump, including the fire pump casing relief valve, the packing, and the casing relief valve.
• Don’t forget to monitor your water pressure gauge. And if it is above/below the normal value, contact your fire protection professional.

According to NFPA 25…

Inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems, including fire pumps, should comply with industry standards. These standards will help you maximize the system’s integrity and avoid potential pump failures. They establish the minimum requirements for the periodic inspection and maintenance of your sensing line for fire pumps. The key requirements include the changes in occupancy, use, operation, materials, hazard, or water supply that can impact the performance of the fire pump system.

Also, NFPA standards address the operating condition of fire protection systems, such as impairment handling and reporting. They apply to fire protection systems and ensure that the system has been properly installed by generally accepted practices. Keep in mind that these standards do not require the inspector to verify the adequacy of the design of the system. This requirement is not a part of the periodic inspection and maintenance standard.

Since corrective actions are needed to ensure that your fire pump system operates satisfactorily, it should be in accordance with the NFPA standards. In addition to that, if your sprinkler or the pressure sensing lines in fire pumps show any signs of the following, it should be replaced:

• Corrosion
• Leakage in the system
• Sudden loss of water pressure
• Any physical damage like bending and warping

Final Remarks

We offer an array of fire pumps that can be the best solution if your building is equipped with a sprinkler system. It requires constant water pressure regardless of varying demand or fluctuation in the incoming pressure. We supply branded fire pumps for commercial, industrial, and residential applications. From smaller commercial facilities to manufacturing industries, our line of diesel fire pumps can be a good fit for any application.

To find out more about pressure sensing lines in fire pumps, contact us.

Fire Pump Packages: 7 Frequently Asked Questions

                                                                        

Reliable and code-compliant fire sprinkler systems for domestic and commercial buildings begin with fire pump packages. Without them, your sprinkler system won’t be able to generate the required water pressure by itself. Since fire pumps are a critical piece of fire protection, make sure they follow the NFPA standards for installation, inspection, and maintenance.

That being said, this blog post is going to cover the most commonly asked questions about fire pumps and jockey pump selection. Below are a few questions that we are frequently asked about fire pump systems:

1. What is a Fire Pump?

A fire pump is used to boost the available water pressure for a fire protection system. Its role is to increase the pressure coming from your water source to the rate required by your fire protection system to control a fire. Fire pumps usually come in a package consisting of a pump, driver, controller, and sensing line for fire pumps.

2. Why do I Need a Fire Pump?

If you live in a building where the available water pressure isn’t enough to meet the requirements of your fire protection system, then you may need a fire pump. Although fire pumps are not required in every building, they are common in high-rise structures that often struggle with low water pressure. This is because these buildings have high water pressure requirements that can exceed the capabilities of the water supply.

3. How do Fire Pumps Work?

Fire pumps are more than just a pump. In fact, they are made up of a full system combined with a motor, controller, and fire pump sensing line. The pump gets the water from a source like a lake, tank, or reservoir. The available pressure is boosted by the means of the motor and impellers to distribute it throughout the sprinkler system.

4. What does Fire Pump Testing Include?

During an annual fire pump test, you will have to check all of the necessary lines and incoming voltage. Look at all the phases to ensure that no excessive voltage is going to the panel. Also, don’t forget to look for internal problems within the pump to know whether it is performing as per the design and industry standards. This is why you will need to perform a flow test at 100 and 150% of the fire pump’s rated value.

5. How Should I Maintain a Fire Pump?

The best way to maintain your fire pump is to run it on a weekly/monthly basis. Make sure its drain lines are draining and not flooding. The pump area should be clear of anything that could prevent a clog. If it is not properly taken care of, the pump will most likely not perform to its design standards. You can consider contacting a pump expert to schedule an inspection.

6. What are the Different Types of Fire Pumps?

The most common types of fire pumps are the horizontal split case, vertical split case, vertical in-line, and vertical turbine. These types have different sizes and lifespans based on their accessibility for repairs and maintenance. For instance, the horizontal split case is the most widely used fire pump, but it takes up more space than other types. On the other hand, vertical split case fire pumps are similar, but take up less space.

7. How do I Pick the Right Fire Pump Driver?

When it comes to powering your fire pump sensing line, there are two major drivers available – electric motors and diesel engines. Pick the right driver on the basis of reliability, adequacy, safety, and economy. For example, diesel engines are proven to be reliable for larger applications and require batteries and fuel tanks for the electric start.

On the other hand, electric motors are best for smaller applications with a reliable source of power. Other options may include steam turbines that are rare to come by. Because there are different fire pump packages, make sure you choose the right driver that is appropriate for your space.

The Final Verdict

Bringing together the years of knowledge, expertise, engineering, utility, and quality, Callaghan Pump offers a complete range of fire pump packages from horizontal to vertical models. These packages offer a longer life span, higher efficiencies, and lower maintenance costs. Plus, they are available with both electric and diesel drivers.

Talk to us for more details.

Summary: When it comes to sprinkler systems and fire pump packages, there are several burning questions people usually have. Let’s try to answer them one by one in this blog post.