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.

Fire Pump Sensing Line Details: Weekly Fire Pump Inspection and Testing

 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.