Sunday, February 12, 2023

Booster Pump System: Location and Installation Requirements


booster pump system

When planning the installation and location of your booster pump system, you will need to make a number of important considerations. Let’s learn about them in depth.

When it comes to a water booster or HVAC pump, no one really wants to find out that a design error is the source of insufficient water pressure in a building. Imagine if tenants on the top floor of a building can’t rinse the shampoo out of their hair. Someone has to be accountable for that.

That’s precisely why Callaghan Pump has come up with a simple road map for properly installing and locating a booster pump system. This is the guide to your peace of mind!

HVAC Pump Location and Installation Requirements


This part of booster pumps requires proper planning. Otherwise, you may create a lot of frustration. Here are some simple things to do when installing an HVAC pump for long-lasting commercial pump service.

  • Properly Position the Pump


It is always important to consult the Installation and Operation Manual (IOM) to ensure whether the pump can be installed to discharge up or down, left or right. This will also help you determine the position of the motor shaft. While some booster pumps can be oriented in many different ways, others cannot.

If your booster pump has a bearing assembly, have the pipe support the pump. Be sure to support it from underneath the bearing assembly if you think that additional support is required. Otherwise, this may cause misalignment of the pump coupler, resulting in premature pump failure.

  • Locate the Pump for Easy Service


A larger booster pump system should be installed for ease of service and removal of the pump motor. This simply means that there must be sufficient room around and above the pump to remove the motor, seals, impeller, and bushings.

You can install a pump motor hoist beam for larger inline pumps that typically might be 10 HP or greater. This would help move the heavy motor for servicing. Also, avoid installing a larger pump that can't be serviced from the floor. Otherwise, repairs and maintenance will be very difficult because motors can weigh hundreds of pounds.

  • Provide Ample Support for Larger Pumps


You will need to take extra care when installing water booster pumps in seismic applications that are geographical areas with high instances of seismic activities. Since most booster pumps have a high center of gravity compared to base-mounted pumps, this may increase the risk of an overturning moment.

This refers to the point at which a specific rotational force causes an object to overturn. Thus, additional piping and equipment supports are required in seismic applications.

  • Don’t Skip Accessories


There are some basic pump accessories that will ensure the care and longevity of the water booster pump. For example, flex connectors compensate for minor pipe misalignment and reduce pipe vibrations. Suction diffusers are required when an elbow is needed near the suction. They help stabilize the turbulence and swirling action created by the 90° turn.

A triple-duty valve is installed on the discharge side of the booster for balance, backflow prevention, and isolation. You can also install a single pressure gauge and connect it to both the pump suction and discharge for convenient pressure readings. Make sure that there is a compound gauge on open condenser water applications.

Summing Up


So, this is everything you need to know about booster pump system location and installation. And if you need more information, we are here to help! We at Callaghan Pump will provide you with the right information and sewage pump services to get started.

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