A fire pump Manufacturer provides a complete fire pump set, consisting of a pump, driver, and controller. The manufacturer of an FM Approved fire pump must be able to supply the complete system per the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Building Code. Choosing a fire pump Manufacturer should be done by a design engineer and a fire safety professional in cooperation with the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
A number of factors need to be considered when selecting the right type of fire pump for any specific facility. The first is the desired water pressure at the scene of the fire to apply the fire suppression agent. This can be calculated from the typical layout of the suction and discharge hose diameters and lengths, as well as the types of nozzles used to deliver the extinguishing agent. This information can then be compared to the manufacturer’s performance curve for each model pump, and a selection made that will meet the requirements of the NFPA.
The second factor is the power available to drive the fire pump. Electric pumps are the most common, but diesel engines can be a good option for areas where the power gird is unreliable or undersized. If a diesel powered pump is chosen, it will need to be properly sized to ensure that the engine can be driven at full load without overheating or causing damage to the pump or system components downstream.