Fire Water Pump Testing and Commissioning Steps - Diesel Fire Pump

What is a Diesel Fire Pump

The term Diesel Fire Pump applies to the type of diesel pump used in hydrant systems and sprinkler systems for fire fighting. This pump functions as a water supplier to the pipeline when the main pump is not working. The main pump in the installation system is an Electric fire pump. So the diesel pump plays a role as a back up to the electric pump.

The difference between a diesel pump and an electric pump lies in the power source where the electric pump requires main electricity (PLN) while the diesel pump uses electricity from a diesel engine (fueled).

Diesel Pump Function

The function of the diesel pump is to replace the role of the electric pump as the main pump in distributing water from the reservoir/reservoir into the hydrant pipes. When the electric pump fails to work or dies due to damage and because the power goes out, the diesel pump will turn on.

The possibility of a main power outage is very large, especially in building fires, so the need for a diesel pump is vital. Given the role of the main pump as a water supplier, if the electric pump dies at any time its function will be carried out by the diesel pump.

In supplying water into the pipe, the diesel pump works exactly like an electric pump, namely it is controlled by a control panel, pressure tank and pressure switch. When it detects a decrease in pressure in the system, the diesel pump will be activated (if the electric pump has turned off). The distribution system on the diesel pump is the same as the electric pump, namely using centrifugal force which allows water to flow with strong pressure towards the hydrant valve.

How the Diesel Pump Works

If the main pump fails to distribute water while the sprinkler or hydrant nozzle still needs water in a fire situation, the diesel pump will turn on after receiving a command from the system. This pump can turn on automatically using power/power from the battery and manually via the starter key on the diesel.

To run the control function on the diesel pump, there is a control panel (diesel starter panel) and pressure switch. The function of the diesel starter panel is to set the diesel to turn on automatically after detecting the need for water supply in the installation system. The function of the pressure switch is to provide information in the form of pressure figures in the system so that the pump turns on. A decrease in pressure to the set number makes the diesel starter panel turn on the pump automatically.

Automatic start/stop of diesel pump

The controller on the diesel fire pump is designed to trigger the pump to turn on automatically when it detects a decrease in pressure. To control this automatic start is done through a pressure transducer (manual start using the control button).

This pump can also be set to turn off automatically. The option to turn off the pump automatically can be done by giving it 30 minutes after the pressure is restored.

Diesel Fire Pump Specifications

As a back up pump, the specifications of the diesel pump in a hydrant or sprinkler system installation are generally the same as the specifications of the main pump (electric pump). This is to avoid unstable fluid pressure and the resulting water level. The average specifications required are a diesel pump with a capacity of 1850 liters/minute and the pump rotation produced by the diesel engine reaches 2,900 rpm.

Commissioning Procedure – Diesel Main Fire Pump

Perform heat run on Diesel Main Fire Water Pump (for pump recirculation operation only)

per the following steps;

1. Align valves to allow for pump recirculation flow back to the selected Raw Water Tank.

2. Ensure the selected Raw Water Tank has sufficient level to operate the fire water pumps.

3. Ensure fuel supply is sufficient level to operate the diesel.

4. Ensure the fire protection piping (and pump casing where applicable) is filled and all required vent valves have been ‘cracked’ opened to ensure any trapped air is evacuated and avoid pipe ‘hammering’.

5. The Main Fire Pumps are designed to start in automatic mode with manual mode available if operator intervention is required or maintenance is being performed. For initial operations, the Commissioning Engineer will test the pump in both manual and automatic start mode. Automatic starts will be simulated by reducing fire piping header pressure and observing auto start of the fire water pump and recorded on the associated test form in the attachments section of this procedure. The fire pumps can be started manually at either the local pump controller or remotely from the FAAP push buttons in the main control room.

6. Confirm any pump permissives are fulfilled.

7. Countdown and bump the selected Fire Water Pump. Confirm no abnormal conditions.

8. Once the pump has come to a stop, countdown and start the selected Fire Water Pump.

9. Initially radio conversations should only note abnormal conditions in the event the pump needs to be stopped.

10. Observe any abnormal noises, temperatures, or vibrations.

11. Record Test Results on the test form. Place the Diesel Main Fire Water Pump in automatic operation in conjunction with the Electric Main Fire Water Pump and Main Pressure Maintenance as the fire water protection piping system becomes available.