Ruth Das - 29th Oct 2021

Fire pumps, Types of fire pumps and Why are they important ?

PUMP IT UP!

Fire pumps are essential components of a building's fire protection system, especially in high-rise structures. In buildings with levels from 400-500 ft. and higher, fire pumps are critical in distributing water through sprinkler systems where water pressure from water mains and fire fighting equipment cannot reach. Even in lower set buildings, a fire pump is a key to containing a fire.

Firefighting, at its best, is a hazardous business, but without a well-designed and professionally installed system and pump it becomes even more dangerous, and business assets and lives are put at greater risk.

How do Fire Pumps Work?

A fire pump is an integral part of a fire sprinkler system, as it provides high-pressure water accessibility to the fire sprinkler system, increasing the flow rate of the water. To understand how a fire pump works, it’s important to understand what a fire pump is. A fire pump is more than just its namesake - a pump - which is an integral part of the system, but the full system is made up of the motor - or driver - and the controller.

As part of a fire sprinkler system, a fire pump receives water from either an underground water supply or a water tank, lake, or reservoir, and is powered by electricity or diesel fuel. The high-pressure supplied by the pump distributes water through the sprinkler system and hose standpipes. Customary types of fire pumps include the horizontal split case, vertical split case, vertical in-line, and vertical turbine.

Horizontal Split Case

Horizontal Split Cases are the fire pumps you will see most often. Although it needs a water source that is not part of the system itself, it is still easy to work with. This means that many fire protection providers favor it above its counterparts. The components of the horizontal split case system are easy to reach and maintain. The size osf the individual components varies as well, making it easier to replace them over time depending on what the system demands. Best of all, these systems last for years and are durable enough to provide reliable water delivery in all of that time.

Vertical Split Case

Vertical split case fire pumps are similar to their horizontal counterparts. The difference is that since they are vertical, they take up much less floor space. This can be a valuable distinction, especially in small businesses where there isn’t as much space for all of the necessary fire safety systems. One major benefit of this fire pump is that it protects the motor from flooding simply due to how it is built.

Vertical In-Line

Unlike the split-case fire pumps, the vertical in-line fire pump is smaller. These save space and are ideal for small businesses or other buildings that don’t have much room to go around. Although these units do not need a special base to anchor them, problems arise whenever it’s time for preventative maintenance. That’s because the entire fire pump system needs to be disassembled and removed.

Vertical Turbine

No matter which of the other systems are installed, all of them require positive suction to draw water from its source. This requirement does not apply to vertical turbine fire pumps. Instead, the vertical turbine fire pump can use water drawn from nearby wells or water tanks. Water is moved to the top and then dispensed whenever necessary.

Jockey Pumps

A jockey pump, also known as a pressure-maintenance pump, is a small apparatus that works together with a fire pump as part of a fire-protection sprinkler system. It is designed to keep the pressure in the system elevated to a specific level when the system is not in use, so that the fire pump doesn’t have to run all the time and the system doesn’t go off randomly. It can also help prevent the system from damage when a fire happens and water rushes into the pipes. 

Fire Pumps in Your Building

A fire pump is a critical fire and life-safety equipment in many buildings. There are numerous requirements and elements to be considered before the installation of any unit. Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, the Firefighter industry has you covered. We have been protecting people and properties from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our wonderful customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or WhatsApp us! 

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