The fire equipment company with decades of experience handling fire safety issues for customers will also have knowledge is a concerns fire pumps and fire pump testing. Fire pump inspection and testing services can help ensure that you have the necessary water supply you need when a fire emergency occurs.
The Necessity of a Fire Pump
When the local water system does not supply a sufficient amount of water pressure to adequately power a sprinkler system, it is necessary to install fire pump. When there are high elevations involved, pressure losses and issue such as occurs in very tall high-rise buildings. A stronger level of water pressure is also required in large volumes for certain types of buildings such as storage warehouses. Pumps are also necessary when the water source comes from a tank at ground level. Fire pump testing services can help ensure any fire pump system has functioning properly.
Fire Pump Operation
An electric motor, diesel engine, or in less common cases a steam turbine can power a water pump. Building codes may mandate that a fire pump has a distinct power source. In this case a transfer switch can be connected to the electrical pump in order that an emergency generator is available for use to power the pump.
Fire Pump Types
Whenever the pressure in a fire sprinkler system falls below a certain level, pumps are supposed to turn on. This drop in pressure can take place when the sprinklers detect heat at certain temperatures that then releases the water. Pressure drop can also result from the opening of other connections pertaining to firefighting. It is vital that fire pump testing services look at these and other potential problems connected to the proper operation of the fire pump system.
Some of the different types of pumps available for use in a fire protection system include horizontal and vertical split case, and section, vertical in-line and vertical turbine, and jockey pump.
It is important for the fire equipment company you hire to follow proper regulations and standards relevant to the state of Illinois. These include the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Standard for the Installation of Stationary Fire Pumps for Fire Protection.
To learn more about your fire protection options, contact an experienced fire protection company today.
