Fire Pumps & Fire Pump Suppliers
What is a Fire Pump?
A fire pump is used to pump water through a fire sprinkler system or to manual hose bibs in a commercial building or industrial plant. The fire pump’s intake is usually connected to the external water supply, although in some cases it may be connected to a local water source such as a well, tank, or body of water.
The fire pump system, of which the pump is the critical component, is designed to quickly deliver enough water to efficiently douse a fire before it has a chance to spread. In many areas, fire pumps are required to be periodically tested and certified by the local fire inspection agency. Fire pumps are commonly used in buildings with upper floors that are too high to be reached with the pressure of the local water supply, or where there is not enough fire fighting capacity from the local water supply.
Fire pumps generally work within the following ranges:
- Flow rate ranges between 20 and 5,000 gpm
- Total head (pressure) ranges between 100 and 1,200 ft
- Horsepower ranges between 10 and 800 hp
Fire pumps and the rest of the fire pump system often must meet the requirements of NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory), and, in Canada, CSA (Canadian Standards Association). These requirements are quite detailed as to both the hydraulic and the mechanical requirements for the pump, driver, and controls. There are a limited number of NFPA, UL, and CSA approved fire pump suppliers. Local standards and the owner’s insurance requirements should be studied carefully before selecting a fire pump type and supplier.
How do Fire Pumps work?
Fire pumps are usually centrifugal pumps. Most fire pumps are powered by either an A.C. electric motor or a diesel engine. When one of the sprinklers in the building detects a high level of heat, the pump begins working immediately. In some cases, the fire regulations may require a fire pump to have an emergency generator as a back-up in the event of a power failure. Small, portable engine-driven fire pumps are used in forest fire fighting applications.
Fire Pump mechanisms
The most common types of fire pumps are horizontal split case pumps and vertical turbine pumps. Some applications for lower flows may include end suction pumps or vertical inline pumps. Many fire pump systems also use a jockey pump. This is a small centrifugal pump that runs continuously to keep the fire system piping filled and under pressure. This ensures that the sprinklers will be immediately effective when they are opened and the fire pump is started.
Here are some fire pump manufacturers to consider.
A-L-L Equipment, Inc. sells pumps and equipment throughout the Midwest. A-L-L Equipment, Inc. offers 28 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Lobe Pumps, API Pumps, ANSI Process Pumps, Drum Pumps, Magnetic Drive Pumps, Piston Pumps.
American Industrial Pumps offers pumps and complete pumping systems for the municipal, agriculture, marine, industrial markets and more. American Industrial Pumps offers 35 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Vane Pumps, Vertical Sump Pumps, Self-Priming Pumps, Drum Pumps, Submersible Pumps, Multistage Pumps.
AMT Pump Company manufactures 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" port size high pressure fire fighting engine driven pumps delivering 156 to 260 psi. Model 621/2D1 fire pump comes standard with NPT to National Fire Hose Threads and 13 hp to 23 hp Kohler engines.
APEX Pumping Equipment represents the ITT A-C inline fire pump. The Series 1580 vertical fire pump is used for industrial and commercial applications. APEX also sells the ITT A-C 8100, 8200, and 9100 series split case fire pump.
CLYDEUNION Pumps makes industrial pumps for the upstream and downstream oil, industrial, water, mining applications and more. CLYDEUNION Pumps offers 24 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Submersible Pumps, Vertical Turbine Pumps, Jet Pumps, ANSI Process Pumps, Circulator Pumps, Horizontal Split Case Pumps.
Customized Flow Solutions offers process pumps throughout south Texas. Customized Flow Solutions offers 12 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Plunger Pumps, Vertical Sump Pumps, API Pumps, Booster Pumps, Submersible Pumps, Cryogenic Pumps.
General Air Products distributes pumps and pumping stations for the commercial, municipal, energy, power and other markets. General Air Products offers 25 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Magnetic Drive Pumps, Cryogenic Pumps, Grinder Pumps, Submersible Pumps, Booster Pumps, Trash Pumps.
Gorman-Rupp Company manufacturers its 60 Series fire pump. The 60 Series is an engine driven, end suction, open impeller standard centrifugal pump. The fire pump can deliver 250 gpm and 156 psi and is made of aluminum.
Hydro provides an extensive pump rebuilding service for most industrial pump types. Hydro offers 22 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, API Pumps, Axial Flow Pumps, Booster Pumps, Canned Motor Pumps, Plunger Pumps, ANSI Process Pumps.
Mechanical Equipment Company (MECO) sells and services skid mounted pump systems for the fire protection, commercial, industrial markets and more. Mechanical Equipment Company (MECO) offers 36 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Plunger Pumps, Well Pumps, Metering Pumps, Horizontal Split Case Pumps, Cryogenic Pumps, Progressive Cavity Pumps.
Phoenix Pumps distributes centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps throughout the Southwest. Phoenix Pumps, Inc. offers 37 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Cryogenic Pumps, Axial Flow Pumps, Lobe Pumps, Well Pumps, Flexible Impeller Pumps, API Pumps.
Riverside Pump Manufacturing, Inc. makes a variety of pumps used in the agriculture markets. Riverside Pump Manufacturing, Inc. offers 4 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Trash Pumps, Self-Priming Pumps, Diaphragm Pumps.
Tencarva Machinery sells pumps and equipment for the industrial and municipal markets. Tencarva Machinery offers 35 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Self-Priming Pumps, Gear Pumps, Vertical Turbine Pumps, Peristaltic/Hose Pumps, Metering Pumps, Jet Pumps.
TIGERFLOW Systems, Inc. is a packaged pumping systems integrator. TIGERFLOW Systems, Inc. offers 14 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, Circulator Pumps, Vertical Turbine Pumps, Submersible Pumps, ANSI Process Pumps, Booster Pumps, End Suction Pumps.
Willamette Valley Pump sells, services and rebuilds pumps throughout Oregon. Willamette Valley Pump offers 37 different pump types including: Fire Pumps, ANSI Process Pumps, Jet Pumps, Progressive Cavity Pumps, End Suction Pumps, Axial Flow Pumps, Metering Pumps.
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