Many inspection bodies have questions about the proper application and installation of electric fire pumps and fire pump control units. This article provides basic information on the five most common types of fire pump control devices, both their uses and their limitations.
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Choose the right fire pump
The advantages and disadvantages of the different pumps used for stationary fire protection.
Typical fire pump buyers are primarily concerned with the hydraulic performance of the pump in question, specifically the gallons per minute (GPM) and pressure rise (pounds per square inch [psi]) of the pump. If a pump can be found that delivers a specific GPM and psi and is listed by a trusted third-party agency, the evaluation often ends there. The type of fire pump is seldom considered. This article focuses on Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or FM Global centrifugal fire pumps that are specifically used for static fire protection.