Fire pump inspection, testing and maintenance
Fire pumps are used to ensure an adequate water supply by increasing pressure for fire suppression and, as such, are an integral part of the fire protection system for a facility. Failure of a fire pump to operate under fire conditions can result in a major loss. To help ensure the fire or booster pump is working, there needs to be periodic inspection, maintenance and testing of the pump. The following information provides an overview of the requirements; a separate checklist for electric pump and diesel pump is attached at the end of the document.
Who can perform the inspections and testing
NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, states that inspection testing and maintenance should be performed by a qualified person who has developed competence through training and experience. Many companies use a qualified outside contractor for the annual flow test on a pump and use in-house personnel for the weekly or monthly tests. Some states require that the person conducting the annual fire pump test be certified.
What needs to done
Inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements are outlined in NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Below is an overview of the inspection and testing activities that should be completed on your pump. A detailed checklist for an electric pump and diesel pump follow on subsequent pages.
Weekly
- Pump house, heating, ventilating louvers
- Fire pump system
- Pump Operation (Diesel only) — no flow start and run test for 30 minutes
Monthly
- Pump Operation (Electric only) — no flow start and run test for 10 minutes
Annual
- Full flow test both diesel and electric pumps
- Fire pump alarm signals
Maintenance
- On an annual basis service hydraulic systems, mechanical transmission and motor
- All other maintenance on the pump and associated components varies and should be completed in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Diesel pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — weekly visual inspection
Equipment |
Condition |
Yes |
No |
Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pump house | Heat not less than 40ºF (with engine heater) OR Heat not less than 70ºF (no engine heater) | |||
| Ventilating louvers | Operating freely | |||
| Housekeeping | Room free of combustible storage | |||
| Valves | Pump suction, discharge and bypass valves fully open | |||
| Piping | Free of leaks | |||
| Suction line | Pressure gauge normal | |||
| Reservoir/tanks (if applicable) | Suction reservoir or tank full | |||
| Controller pilot light | Pilot light (power on) illuminated | |||
| Fuel tank | Fuel tank at least two-thirds full | |||
| Controller | Selector switch in “AUTO” position | |||
| Batteries |
Voltage readings normal |
|||
| Charging current readings normal | ||||
| Pilot lights on | ||||
| Pilot lights off terminals free of corrosion | ||||
| Alarm pilots | Alarm pilots off | |||
| Engine oil | Engine oil is full | |||
| Cooling water | Cooling water is full | |||
| Engine running time meter | Meter is reading | |||
| Jockey pump (if provided) | Power to jockey pump |
*MAINTENANCE — maintenance of the pump and its components should be in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Diesel pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — weekly no flow (“churn”) test
Equipment |
Condition |
Yes |
No |
Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pump |
Start properly |
|||
| Run for 30 minutes | ||||
| Record pressures readings |
Suction pressure psi — normal? |
|||
| Discharge pressure psi — normal? | ||||
| Pump glands | Slight discharge when running | |||
| General pump function | No unusual noises or vibration | |||
| Packing box, bearings, and pump casings | No signs of overheating in packing box, bearings, or pump casings | |||
| Heat exchanger | Cooling water flow |
Diesel pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — annual
Equipment |
Condition |
Yes |
No |
Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full flow test | Date of test results satisfactory? |
Electrical pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — weekly visual inspection
Equipment |
Condition |
Yes |
No |
Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pump house | Heat not less than 40ºF | |||
| Housekeeping | Room free of combustible storage | |||
| Valves | Pump suction, discharge and bypass valves fully open | |||
| Piping | Free of leaks | |||
| Suction line | Pressure gauge normal | |||
| Reservoir/tanks (if applicable) | Suction reservoir or tank full | |||
| Controller pilot light | Pilot light (power on) illuminated | |||
| Transfer switch (if provided) | Switch is “ON” and illuminated (if applicable) | |||
| Isolating switch | Isolating switch on each source of power is closed | |||
| Reverse phase warning light | Warning light is off | |||
| Jockey pump (if provided) | Power to jockey pump |
*MAINTENANCE — maintenance of the pump and its components should be in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Electrical pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — monthly no flow (“churn”) test
Equipment |
Condition |
Yes |
No |
Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pump |
Start Properly |
|||
| Run for 10 minutes | ||||
| Record pressures readings |
Suction pressure psi— Normal? |
|||
| Discharge pressure psi— Normal? | ||||
| Pump glands | Slight discharge when running | |||
| General pump function | No unusual noises or vibration | |||
| Packing box, bearings, and pump casings | No signs of overheating in packing box, bearings, or pump casings | |||
| Heat exchanger | Cooling water flow |
Electrical pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — annual
Equipment |
Condition |
Yes |
No |
Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full flow test |
Date of test |
|||
| Results satisfactory? |
*MAINTENANCE — maintenance of the pump and its components should be in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Hanover Risk Solutions can help
Your Risk Solutions consultant can meet with you to explain the inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements based on the fire protection systems installed at your facility. They can discuss the options with you for helping to ensure that your systems are adequately maintained.
To learn more about Hanover Risk Solutions, visit hanoverrisksolutions.com.
171-0854(1/15) LC13-01