Fire pumps are an important component of many water-based fire protection systems. They are used to increase the pressure (measured in psi and bar) of a water source, such as a municipal or commercial water supply, for use in fire sprinkler, hose line, or foam mitigation applications. Choosing the right fire pump for any facility is an important decision that should be made by designers in conjunction with a fire safety professional and Local Authority Having Jurisdiction. In addition to considering NFPA and International Building Code requirements, there are several factors that must be taken into consideration when selecting the right pump for any particular application.
Flowserve offers a broad selection of FM-Approved fire fighting pumps with a wide range of sizes and power ratings. These fire pumps are designed in accordance with APSAD R1, NFPA 20 and other recognized national and international standards, including the most demanding oil and gas, hydrocarbon processing, chemical plant and power generation services.
The FM-Approved fire pumps are available in a number of configurations to provide water to stand pipe, sprinkler, foam mitigation and other fire protection systems. The fire pumps can also be mounted on a skid to allow them to be easily transported from location to location and then deployed when needed. The complete pump system includes a diesel powered fire pump, control panel, and hydraulically operated tank for holding the liquid.
A fire pump is a hydraulically driven device that increases the pressure in a water-based fire protection system when it is activated by either an opening of a fire sprinkler or a release panel on a standpipe. Fire pumps are typically installed in a fire truck to ensure they can be quickly deployed when a fire occurs at the fire scene. Using a control panel with pressure sensors, fire pumps are automatically started by the fire sprinkler or other release panel operation when system pressures drop below a pre-designated threshold. The fire pump then pumps water into the standpipe to raise pressure back up to a safe operating level.
When selecting a fire pump, it is important to consider the size of the tank that will be required to accommodate the fire pump and system as well as the water pressure requirement for the application. The fire pump manufacturer should be able to provide the size of tank and piping that will be required to meet the requirements for the specific application.
For water mist fire suppression systems, Danfoss PAH pumps are ideal due to their capability of delivering high-pressure, continuous flow of water at a maximum rate of 187 l/min (50.4 gpm). When paired with appropriate nozzles and other components from the Danfoss fire suppression product portfolio, these fire pumps can deliver a firefighting system that will not only be efficient, but will also be highly effective in the event of a fire at your site. This type of fire suppression equipment can make the difference between life and death in many cases.