When it comes to fire fighting water pump, choosing the right one can make all the difference. A pump must be capable of meeting NFPA standards and government regulations. It must also be suitable for the conditions of your property. The best way to determine this is to talk to an application specialist, but there are some other things you should consider as well.
For example, if your land has a lot of hills and slopes you might need a fire fighting water pump that can cope with the terrain. Also, if your property is in a rural area you might need a portable fire fighting water pump that can cope with the distance to the nearest fire station. This is particularly important if you live on a farm with crops and animals at risk of being burnt by wildfires.
Another factor that affects the size of your fire fighting water pump is the hose you will be using to connect it. The fire fighting hose should be a maximum of 1.5” in diameter, and it will need to be capable of supplying the required flow rate and pressure. It is also worth thinking about the power sources you will be using to run your fire fighting water pump. Ideally, you should choose a petrol or diesel powered pump as these will provide backup in case the electricity fails.
The other component of your fire fighting water pump that you will need to think about is the driver. The driver is the motor/engine that drives the pumps impeller to create the water pressure and flow needed for your system. There are three types of drivers outlined in NFPA 20: electrical motors, diesel engines and steam turbine systems. Electrical motors are the most common, and they take in electrical power from a utility connection or generator to spin the shaft that provides water to your fire protection system.
When you are looking at the fire fighting water pump specifications of different models, it is important to compare their pump curves. The pump curves show the performance of the pumps over a range of pressures and flows.
The curves will help you to understand the performance of your pump and determine if it is suitable for your needs. You can also use them to see if the manufacturer has complied with NFPA standards and regulations. The curves will also tell you how much head the pump is able to generate, which is the height from the original water source to the point where the water will be pumped, and it will allow you to compare this with the requirements for your standpipe or sprinkler system. You should always ask for the test curves from the manufacturer of your fire fighting water pump when you are choosing a model. Then you can be confident that the model is sized correctly for your needs and will perform as expected. This will protect your building against damage caused by overworking the pump or damaging it with excessive flow.