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)

Voltage readings normal

*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)

Suction pressure psi — normal?

Diesel pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — annual

Equipment

Condition

Yes

No

Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition)

Electrical pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — weekly visual inspection

Equipment

Condition

Yes

No

Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition)

*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)

Suction pressure psi— Normal?

Electrical pump inspection, maintenance* and testing — annual

Equipment

Condition

Yes

No

Comments (“No” indicates unsatisfactory condition)

*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.