Troubleshooting: Everything from Jockey Pumps to Sensing Lines for Fire Pumps

Are you considering sensing lines for fire pumps? The purpose of this blog post is to cover the most popular aspects of fire pump installation. Continue reading to learn more.

Whether you are looking for jockey pumps or sensing lines for fire pumps, you need to be careful. The right equipment is vital to get the desired pressure for your fire protection system. On the other hand, getting it wrong would increase the chances of losing your house to a fire.

That being said, we are going to discuss the basic requirements of fire pump installation and selection. We will also throw some light on fire pump troubleshooting. Before you install any fire pump equipment, here are some crucial things you need to know:

Location: Install the fire pump in a dry place – nearer to the city water entrance. It should be installed with a short and direct suction pipe.

Foundation: The foundation of the pump should be substantial so that it can absorb any vibration. It should create permanent or rigid support for the baseplate. Be sure to use foundation bolts of suitable size. Also, check the pump’s coupling faces and suction flanges for horizontal/vertical position with a level.

Alignment: Faulty alignments may result in noisy pump operation, low bearing life, and excessive coupling wear. So, carefully verify the alignment after the foundation bolts have been tightened. Check the alignment again once the piping is installed.

Fitting: If minimum fittings required by NFPA are loose, install circulation relief valves at the casing discharge. You can also use automatic air release valves on top of the pump to vent casing and suction piping before start-up.

Inspection: Visually inspect different parts of the fire pump for damage affecting serviceability. Take a look at “O” rings and gaskets for any potential cracks, nicks, or tears. Also, check packing rings for excessive compression in sensing lines for fire pumps. Replace them if damaged.

Rotation: Fire pump rotation will be determined by the vantage point. When sitting on the motor facing the pump, the discharge is to the left and the suction is to the right. This is known as a right-hand or clockwise pump rotation. If opposite, it is known as a left-hand or counter-clockwise pump rotation.

Troubleshooting Common Fire Pump Issues

If your pump does not start, it may be because of a faulty electrical circuit. Make sure both the circuit breaker and the switch are in the “ON” mode. Also, make sure that the pressure switch is working properly so it can respond to changes in pressure. Stuffing the box too tightly or improper packing could be due to loose gland swing bolts. So, remove the stuffing box gland halves and try to replace the packing.

There are other pump issues like the locked impeller that would require removing the obstruction. Excess bearing friction should also be addressed by removing and cleaning the bearings. If there is no water discharge, air pockets or air leaks in the suction line may be the reason. You can uncover the suction pipe to locate and rearrange it. Make sure the pressure switch set point is set according to the suction and working pressure.

If you have any questions about the pump specifications like the jockey pump capacity, flow rate, or rotation, please contact us. We will be more than happy to help you make sure that you get the right pump and sensing lines for fire pumps.