Fire Pumps

Fire pumps are often a forgotten element of an automatic fire protection system. If a fire pump does not work, the entire system may fail. Stringent inspection and testing requirements are designed to prevent a pump failure that could be catastrophic. Our expert installation, inspection, and service capabilities include the tools and manpower to support any fire pump at your facility or building.

Fire pumps are needed when the local municipal water system cannot provide sufficient pressure to meet the hydraulic design requirements of the fire sprinkler system. This usually occurs if the building is very tall, such as in high-rise buildings, or in systems which require a relatively high terminal pressure at the fire sprinkler in order to flow a large volume of water, such as in storage warehouses.

Fire pumps are also needed if fire protection water supply is provided from a ground level water storage tank.

Fire pumps may be powered either by an electric motor or a diesel engine, or, very occasionally a steam turbine. If the local building code requires power independent of the local electric power grid, a pump using an electric motor may utilize, when connected via a listed transfer switch, the installation of an emergency generator.

The fire pump starts when the pressure in the fire sprinkler system drops below a threshold. The sprinkler system pressure drops significantly when one or more fire sprinklers are exposed to heat above their design temperature, and opens, releasing water or alternatively when other firefighting connections are opened, causing a pressure drop in the fire fighting main.

If you are evaluating a new sprinkler system, need service for an existing system, or are interested in an inspection service contract that ensures adherence to national, state and local code requirements, Absolute Protective Systems, Inc. will provide the expert assistance you need.