The Fire Fighting Pump - The Backbone of Firefighting

 

The fire fighting pump is an important piece of equipment that can be instrumental in keeping firefighters safe, enabling them to quickly and effectively extinguish a fire. As a result, it is critical that departments implement a regular inspection, testing and maintenance program for the fire pump to ensure it will perform properly when an emergency occurs.

There are three driver types outlined in NFPA 20: electrical motor, diesel engine and steam turbine systems. The most common is the electrical motor, which takes electrical power supplied from a utility connection, generator or other approved source and spins a shaft that connects to the pump’s impeller. The shaft delivers water to the fire sprinkler system.

Centrifugal fire pumps are the backbone of firefighting apparatus because they are effective, efficient and versatile. They are available in a variety of configurations to best meet a department’s challenges (structural, high-rise, industrial, wildland). Each configuration has an advantage over the others and each has a unique use.

When selecting a fire pump, it is essential that departments take into account the fire sprinkler system demands, nozzle flow rates and gallons per minute (gpm) of water required to extinguish a fire. Large fires often occur because of insufficient water application. This can be corrected by determining the needed gpm flow for each fire scene and sizing the appropriate hoseline and nozzle to deliver the desired gpm.

In order to determine the correct size fire pump, many departments use the Sprinkler Area Method. This method involves analyzing the sprinkler hazard levels in each building to calculate pressure requirements and design density. While this method can be complex, it offers more flexibility for changes later in the process.