A fire fighting pump is a centrifugal pump used to supply water to the fire department for extinguishing purposes. They are often designed for transportable use, either as integrated or front-mounted fire pumps on fire-fighting vehicles, or as portable fire pumps that can be set up close to the site of the fire.
There are a number of factors to consider when sizing a fire fighting pump. For example, the building’s sprinkler hazard levels, which dictate pressure requirements and design density, need to be taken into consideration. It is also important to account for the elevation of the building, since more pressure will be required in order to push the water to sprinklers located on higher floors.
Another factor to take into consideration is friction loss, which can affect nozzle pressure and flow rates. The fire officer and nozzleman need to know the gallons per minute (gpm) flow from each nozzle in order to determine how much water to apply at the scene of the fire. Incorrect calculations can lead to dangerous situations for the crew inside the building.
Fire pumps must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are ready for action in the event of an emergency. During inspection, the fire fighting pump’s starting components need to be tested and the engine’s temperature should be checked. Additionally, it is important to check the lubrication level and cooling system for leaks or condensation. Lastly, the water pressure and flow rate of the fire fighting pump must be verified as well.