One single device that is extremely essential for the proper functioning of a fire fighting system is the fire fighting pump. It is an integral part of a fire sprinkler installationaEUR(TM)s water supply that is often used in various structures as a protection against fire.
These pumps are driven by electric power, steam or diesel fuel and draws water from a static water supply like a reservoir, lake or tank or a public underground supply of water. The fire fighter pump is engineered to create an extremely high pressure water flow channel for the sprinkler system risers as well as the hose standpipes. It is designed to start up as soon as the fire sprinkler systemaEUR(TM)s pressure falls below a predesigned threshold. In order to make the system autonomous, a dedicated generator is often used to supply power so that the pump keeps running even at the time of a power cut.
A fire fighting pump must be tested to meet several quality specifications. It must be listed for use mandatorily only after the approval for fire service by third party listing and testing agencies like Factory Mutual (FM) Global or UL which is also known as the Underwriters Laboratories. The primary code governing the fire pump installations especially in North America and in many other countries is the famous National Fire Protection AssociationaEUR(TM)s standard NFPA 20 which is a standard for installations of the stationary fire fighting pumps used in fire protection. All the fire pumps must meet this approval postulate in order to be rated fit for use. Other than NFPA many clients also demand that the controllers and pumps be approved by many other fire certifying agencies that are well known across the world. All the manufacturers ensure that their products comply with the stringent approval standards and hence set up dedicated testing and quality assurance protocols.
The controllers used to drive and control the operation of these pumps must be functional all the time and that too without any errors. For this they need to pass the same approval standards like the pumps they control.
The various structures and places where a fire pump must be necessarily installed are:
High rise structures like apartments and office spaces.
Commercial complexes.
Ports and airports.
Warehouses
Power stations
Chemical, Manufacturing and Process industries
Petrochemical and petroleum complexes
Summing up, it can be said that proper functioning of a fire pump is essential for efficient functioning of any fire protection system.
