Table of Contents
How long does a fire pump need to run?
In all cases, the electric motor should be allowed to run for a minimum of 10 minutes and a qualified person should always be present in the pump room whenever any fire pump(s) are running to make observations related to operating issues and to record results.
Why does my jockey pump keep running?
The only purpose of the jockey pump is to keep the pressure in the sprinkler system high enough that the main fire pump will not turn on. If the pressure indicator that you’re looking at is showing the actual pressure of the sprinkler system, then there might be a water leak.
What should be the pressure to be maintained in the fire line?
All new systems are required to be tested hydrostatically at a minimum pressure of either 200 psi (13.8 bar), or 50 psi (3.4 bar) above the maximum discharge pressure, whichever is greater, at the fire pump discharge flange.
What is the pressure of fire pump?
Fire pumps are typically sized by pressure range, therefore a 400 gpm pump with a revolutions per minute speed of 3,550 can deliver a rated pressure from 40 to 56 psi without increasing the size of the pump.
Do fire pumps run all the time?
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.
Why is my fire pump running?
When there’s a fire, sprinkler heads are going to activate and spray water. This loss of water in the sprinkler system causes the pressure to drop. When the pressure drops, the main fire pump turns on.
How do you adjust the pressure on a jockey pump?
1) The jockey pump stop point should equal the pump churn pressure plus the minimum static supply pressure. 2) The jockey pump start point should be at least 10 psi (0.68 bar) less than the jockey pump stop point. 3) The fire pump start point should be 5 psi (0.34 bar) less than the jockey pump start point.
How often should a jockey pump run?
How often should a jockey pump run? For electric motor-driven fire pumps, we recommend at least running your equipment once a week for at least ten (10) minutes for a visual inspection.
How is fire pump pressure calculated?
The height of the water level in the tank will determine the pressure found at the hydrant. The formula for determining pressure when head is known is pressure (P) = 0.434 × head (H). Question: The surface of the water in a gravity tank is 134 feet above a hydrant.
How does a fire pump pressure relief valve work?
The pilot valve manages the system by sensing discharge pressure and controls the opening and closing of the relief valve. The relief valve directs water from the discharge of the pump back into the intake of the pump when pressure surges occur.
What activates a fire pump?
The turn-on for the main fire pump is a water pressure switch. When there’s a fire, sprinkler heads are going to activate and spray water. This loss of water in the sprinkler system causes the pressure to drop. When the pressure drops, the main fire pump turns on.
How long should an electric fire pump run?
In all cases, the electric motor should be allowed to run for a minimum of 10 minutes and a qualified person should always be present in the pump room whenever any fire pump(s) are running to make observations related to operating issues and to record results.
Why does a fire pump stay on when there is no fire?
The main purpose of the delay is when a fire is small, the fire pump stays on. While the sprinkler system is in stand-by mode (no fire), even at the top of a tall building, water pressure needs to be preserved. The pressure is kept up using a smaller second pump, called a Jockey Pump. It isn’t good enough to use for fire suppression.
How is the annual fire pump test done?
You must allow ample space for discharging the water and add the static pressure of the hydrant to the net pump pressure. The annual pump test actually consists of six separate tests. Run the pump vacuum for 5 minutes to begin the actual pump test. This determines how long it takes to lift water to the pump so that pumping can begin.
What should the pressure be on a fire pump?
Run the pump for 20 minutes at 100% of rated capacity, with a net pump pressure of 150 pounds per square inch (psi). The NFPA requires this test for pumps rated for over 750 gpm.