Weekly Inspections of Fire Pumps

Attention all building owners and fire safety professionals!

Are you aware of the crucial role that fire pumps play in your water-based fire protection systems? These pumps are essential for increasing water pressure when the source is inadequate, and they must be designed, installed, and tested for acceptance to ensure that they are ready to protect your building in case of fire.

However, once the building owner takes over, there is no guarantee that the fire pump will remain in a ready state unless it undergoes routine inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM). To ensure your fire pump operates effectively, it's essential to follow the guidelines set out in NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.

One of the most critical aspects of a robust ITM program for fire pumps is weekly inspections. These inspections occur once per calendar week, according to the NFPA 25 guidelines. In this blog post, we'll focus on what's required for these weekly inspections, so you can ensure that your fire pump is always ready to protect your building in case of an emergency. Don't wait until it's too late - prioritize fire pump ITM today.

What is an inspection?

Inspection is defined as the visual observation of a system or portion thereof to verify that it appears to be in operating condition and is free of physical damage. Two important concepts within the definition are first that it is visual; there is no manipulating or actions taken to the system or its components, and second that it does not guarantee the pump or system is in operating condition; we are confirming that it appears to be and there are no signs of physical damage.

Pump House/Room Weekly Inspection:

• Heat is adequate, not less than 40° F (4°C)
• Excessive water does not collect on the floor
• A coupling guard is in place

Conditions of the pump system must be inspected weekly for the following items:

• Pump suction, discharge, and bypass valves are fully open
• Piping is free of leaks
• The suction line pressure gauge reading is within an acceptable range
• The suction reservoir has the required water level
• Wet pit suctions screens are unobstructed and in place
• Waterflow test valves are in the closed position, the hose connection valve is closed, and the line to test valves is free of water

Electrical System Conditions for Weekly Inspection:

Conditions of the electrical system must be inspected weekly for the following items:

• The controller pilot light (power on) is illuminated
• Transfer switch normal pilot light is illuminated
• The isolation switch is closed – standby (emergency) source
• The reverse phase alarm pilot light is off, or the normal phase rotation pilot light is on
• The oil level in the vertical motor sight glass is within an acceptable range
• Power to pressure maintenance (jockey) pump is provided

What about weekly tests?

Weekly testing of fire pumps is vital to ensure that they can automatically start and won't overheat. This is especially true for diesel fire pumps and some electric fire pumps. If the pumps serve systems in buildings that are beyond the pumping capacity of the fire department, have limited-service controllers, are vertical turbine pumps, or take suction from ground-level tanks or a water source that doesn't provide sufficient pressure, weekly testing of electric fire pumps is also required. These tests don't flow water but help to ensure the pumps are functioning correctly. While there are several visual observations to be made during these tests, we won't discuss them here. Remember, regular testing is key to keeping your fire pumps in top shape and your buildings safe.

Who can perform the weekly inspections?

Fire safety is a critical aspect of any building or facility, and ensuring that fire pumps are always reliable during emergencies is paramount. Regular inspections are mandatory, as per NFPA 25, to ensure that the fire pumps are in top-notch condition. These inspections should be done by qualified individuals who have received proper training and met the acceptable requirements of the AHJ.

The scope of ITM is extensive, ranging from routine inspections to more complex tasks like annual flow testing. While the latter requires specialized expertise, facility managers and their staff can conduct weekly inspections with minimal training. These weekly inspections can be easily incorporated as a routine part of the facilities staff's week, and they go a long way in ensuring that the fire pump is in tip-top shape.

Therefore, as a facility manager, it is essential to equip your team with the necessary training and resources to keep your organization's safety standards up to par. Ensuring the fire pumps are well-maintained and ready for use during emergencies is crucial in guaranteeing the safety of everyone in the building. So, let's prioritize fire safety and work together to keep buildings and facilities safe.