PUMP ROOM

Component and equipment

fig-1. Pump room

1- Gate valve
2- check valve
It prevents back flow, and allows only flow in on direction, and is
installed in pump discharge line directly to prevent pumps from
starting at a load or at the system pressure.
3- Suction header
It prevents vortex
4- Discharge header
5- Diesel pump
It’s a 100% stand-by pump, operates in case of power failure with
the failure of pressure make up process by the electric pump, or

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 even with the present of power if failure of pressure make up pro-
cess.

fig-2. diesel pump

6- Jockey pump
It’s the first pump to start in case of fire, It operates as a pressure
maintenance pump so in case of a leakage in the system pressure it
will makes the system pressure as recommended, and A jockey
pump should be sized to make up the allowable leakage rate within
10 minutes or 1GPM (3.8 L/min), whichever is larger, and is used
for this job instead-off starting the electric pump to protect it from
starting until a serious problem occurs.

7- Electric pumps
It’s the second pump to start in case of fire; it’s the 100% duty
pump.

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 fig-3. electric pump

8- Pressure relief valve

A valve being set at a pressure higher than the system pressure or
shut off pressure of the diesel pump to protect the system from the
very high pressure generated by the diesel pump in case of sudden
acceleration.
9- Alarm check valve
It’s consist of:
 Pressure switch (electric part) which gives a signal to fire
alarm system in case of flow in pipes.
 Mechanical alarm which done automatically by water flow in
pipes.

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 fig-4. alarm check valve

10- Water flow meter

11- Diesel pump electric control panel and pressure sensing
line
12- Jockey pump electric control panel and pressure sensing
line
13- Electric pump electric control panel and pressure sensing
line

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 fig-5. fire pumps controllers

14- Vortex plate

It’s installed in the tank in suction lines to prevent vortex in the
tank water.
15- Electric pump casing relief valve
It’s reliefs the pressure on the pump to protect it from damage in
case of pump work and no exit for water in the system, and is be-
ing set at the shut of head or higher than system pressure.

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 fig-6. casing relief valve
16- Stainless steel flexible joints
17- Automatic air vent
18- Tamper switch
It gives a signal when a gate valve closed.
19- Flow switch
It gives signal when a flow happened in a pipe.

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An arrangement for pump room:

fig-7. an arrangement for a firefighting pump room

fig-8. firefighting pump room

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Another arrangement for pump room:

fig-9. another arrangement of firefighting pump room

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Sequence of operation
All pipes of the wet system are maintained at a pressure higher than sys-
tem demand pressure.
At first in case of fire a sprinkler open or a fire hose cabinet will be used
This will makes the pressure of water to goes down, all pumps sensing
lines matched to pressure transducer in pump control panel, when the
pressure reach 6 bar the pressure transducer in jockey pump controller
gives signal to start the jockey, if the pressure maintained constant or
goes high this means it just a leak, and if the pressure reached 5 bar the
electric fire pump will start as same as jockey pump, and if the pressure
reached 4 bar in any case the diesel pump will start by the same way.(all
numbers is for example)
The fire pump operation is as follows
(a) Motor-Driven Pump. To start a motor driven pump, the following
steps should be taken in the order given below.
(1) See that pump is completely primed.
(2) Close isolating switch and then close circuit breaker.
(3) Automatic controller will start pump if system demand is not satis-
fied (e.g., pressure low, deluge tripped, etc.).
(4) For manual operation, activate switch or pushbutton, or manual
start handle.
Circuit breaker-tripping mechanism should be set so that it will not op-
erate when current in circuit is excessively large.
(b) Steam-Driven Pump. A steam turbine driving a fire pump should
always be kept warmed up to permit instant operation at full rated speed.
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The automatic starting of the turbine should not be dependent on any
manual valve operation or period of low-speed operation. If the pop
safety valve on the casing blows, steam should be shut off and the ex-
haust piping examined for a possible closed valve or an obstructed por-
tion of piping. Steam turbines are provided with governors to maintain
speed at a predetermined point, with some adjustment for higher or low-
er speeds. Desired speeds below this range can be obtained by throttling
the main throttle valve.
(c) Diesel Engine-Driven Pump. To start a diesel engine-driven pump,
the operator should be familiar beforehand with the operation of this
type of equipment. The instruction books issued by the engine and con-
trol manufacturer should be studied to this end.
The storage batteries should always be maintained in good order to en-
sure prompt satisfactory operation of this equipment (i.e., check electro-
lyte level and specific gravity, inspect cable conditions, corrosion, etc.).
(d) Fire Pump Settings. The fire pump system, when started by pres-
sure drop, should be arranged as follows.
(1) The jockey pump stop point should equal the pump churn pressure
plus the minimum static supply pressure.
(2) The jockey pump start point should be at least 10 psi (0.68-bar)
less than the jockey pump stop point.
(3) The fire pump start point should be 5 psi (0.34 bar) less than the
jockey pump start point. Use 10-psi (0.68-bar) increments for each addi-
tional pump.
(4) Where minimum run times are provided, the pump will continue to
operate after attaining these pressures. The final pressures should not ex-
ceed the pressure rating of the system.
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(5) Where the operating differential of pressure switches does not
permit these settings, the settings should be as close as equipment will
permit. The settings should be established by pressures observed on test
gauges.
(6) Example:
Pump: 1000-gpm, 100-psi pump with churn pressure of 115 psi.
Suction Supply: 50 psi from city — minimum static. 60 psi from city —
maximum static.
Jockey pump stop = 115 + 50 = 165 psi.
Jockey pump start = 165 - 10 = 155 psi.
Fire pump stop = 115 + 50 = 165 psi.
Fire pump start = 155 - 5 = 150 psi.
Fire pump maximum churn = 115 + 60 = 175 psi.
(For SI units, 1 psi = 0.0689 bar.)
(7) Where minimum run timers are provided, the pumps will continue
to operate at churn pressure beyond the stop setting. The final pressures
should not exceed the pressure rating of the system components.
(e) Automatic Recorder. The performance of all fire pumps should be
automatically indicated on a pressure recorder to provide a record of
pump operation and assistance in fire loss investigation.

Shut off of the pumps

1- The Jockey pumps stops automatically when the pressure in pipes
reached its rated pressure.

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 2- The Electric pump stops after reached the rated pressure by ten
minutes
3- The Diesel pump stops after 30 minutes after reaching its rated
pressure.

Power sources
There are two power sources:

 Normal
 Emergency
All pumps should be feed by the two ways of power in the building by
the next ways:
The electric pump can be only feed by normal source if there is a diesel
pumps but sometimes for safer it connected by the two sources.
The jockey should be feed the two sources.
The diesel pump needs to energize its battery in any time by this se-
quence:
At first in the diesel pump control panel a charger this charger works in
case of no electric charge in diesel battery so it energized the battery and
out from the circuits, and when the battery charged the diesel will start
automatically without any need of external power source, but by the
time the battery could be damage or have a problem, so its preferable to
make the diesel pump in the two power source.

Note
Some codes allows to use two electric pumps one connected to normal
source and one on the emergency source for cost reduction, but actually
this way have some conditions must applied for safe, first is to make the
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generator very close to the pump room and all pumps cables must be fire
rated (the second condition is for all fire system cables).

Types of fire pumps

Always used type of pumps for fire application is centrifugal vertical in-
line or horizontal in-line.
Centrifugal pumps
Centrifugal pumps shall be of the overhung impeller between bearings
design. The overhung impeller design shall be close coupled or separate-
ly coupled single- or two-stage end suction-type [see Figures A-3-1.1(a)
and (b)] or in-line-type [see Figures A-3-1.1(c), (d), and (e)] pumps. The
impeller between bearings design shall be separately coupled single-
stage or multistage axial (horizontal) split-case-type [see Figure A-3-
1.1(f)] or radial (vertical) split-case-type [see Figure A-3-1.1(g)] pumps.
{All figures are in the appendices}

fig-10. flow in a centrifugal pump

fig-11. types of flow in centrifugal pumps

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 fig-12. ratings of centrifugal pumps

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 fig-13. most end-suction and in-line pump types

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 fig-14. classification of centrifugal pumps

Centrifugal pumps applications

Centrifugal pumps shall not be used where a static suction lift is re-
quired.
Automatic Air Release

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Pumps that are automatically controlled shall be provided with a listed
float-operated air release valve having 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) minimum di-
ameter discharged to atmosphere.
Exception: Overhung impeller-type pumps with top centerline discharge
or vertically mounted to naturally vent the air.

Vertical Shaft Turbine-Type Pumps

Suitability
Where the water supply is located below the discharge flange centerline
and the water supply pressure is insufficient for getting the water to the
fire pump, a vertical shaft turbine-type pump shall be used.
Positive Displacement Pumps
Application
Positive displacement pumps are used for pumping water, foam concen-
trates, or additives. The liquid viscosity will impact pump selection.

Selection of fire pumps

When selecting fire pumps you should be sure that the pump is specified
for this application, UL listed FM approved and will pass the hydraulic
test required for fire pumps.
When talking about different parameters of a pump:
Capacity, head of the pump and voltage frequency is all the needed data
to select a pump.
The fire pump starts in a case of maintenance and emergency only so the
loud sounds of it caused by higher RPM and higher power consumption
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will not be a problem and that for initial cost reduction, because the
higher RPM the smaller the pump.
Sizing of pump accessories:
Table-pump accessories sizing

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Installation cautions
All pumps should be installed in a fixed armed concrete base withstands
lateral vibration by 1.5 times the weight of the pump.

fig-15. fire pump installation

All elbows in pumps discharge should fixed with a support.

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 fig-16. elbows supports

Modulating valves after and before the metering device should be in-
stalled by a special distance from the meter for accurate readings.

fig-17. installation of flow rate measuring device

Two check valves installed in each sensing line in the opposite direction
of to the control panel should have at least 5 feet between each other and
should be drilled by 3/32 inch drill.

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 fig-18. Piping connection for each automatic pressure switch (for fire pump and jockey
pumps).

Sensing lines materials should be series 300 stainless steel, brass or cop-
per.
All sensing line size should be ½ inch.
Fire pumps installed by bolts in anchors which are welded in the armed
base, the floor and base should be epoxy coated after all, and the pumps
lying on a membrane rubber layer between it and the base.

fig-19. installation of firefighting pumps base

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Pressure relieving valve of the diesel pump should be connected to its
discharge directly before the check valve.
The length of the exhaust pipe by the diesel pump must be coordinated
with the supplier for allowable back pressure, and this pipe should be in-
sulated with Aminat.
Fuel piping arrangement should be constructed be the supplier advise-
ment.
Engines shall be started no less than once a week and run for no less
than 30 minutes to attain normal running temperature. They shall run
smoothly at rated speed.
The engine fuel supply (suction) connection shall be located on the tank
so that 5 percent of the tank volume provides a sump volume not usable
by the engine. The fuel supply shall be located on a side of the tank at
the level of the 5 percent sump volume. The inlet to the fuel supply line
shall be located so that its opening is no lower than the level of the en-
gine fuel transfer pump. The engine manufacturer’s fuel pump static
head pressure limits shall not be exceeded when the level of fuel in the
tank is at a maximum.
{For fuel piping material and sizing please refer to appendices.}
Flame-resistant flexible hoses listed for this service shall be provided at
the engine for connection to fuel system piping. There shall be no
shutoff valve in the fuel return line to the tank.

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 fig-20. Right and wrong pump suctions.

All the equipment and component should have to be UL listed and FM

approved and a serial number.

fig-21. Horizontal pumps shaft rotation.

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 fig-22. Vertical pump shaft rotation

All pipes in the pump room should be hot dip galvanized if the source of
water could cause rust of pipes or if the fire water tank and the domestic
water tank is the same tank and pipes passes through the tank walls
should be put into the wall when its being built not after that and if so it
should been cured with special chemical insulation material.

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 fig-23. Fig-17 pipes through tank walls

fig-24. Recommended type of a pump according to tanks types

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Hydraulic test

fig-25. Pump characteristics curves

Listed pumps can have different head capacity curve shapes for a given
rating. Figure 18 illustrates the extremes of the curve shapes probable.
Shutoff head will range from a minimum of 101 percent to a maximum
of 140 percent of rated head. At 150 percent of rated capacity, head will
range from a minimum of 65 percent to a maximum of just below rated
head. Pump manufacturers can supply expected curves for their listed
pumps.

Pumps Manufacturers
Jtt Bell, Gossett Paterson, Peapless, Fairbanks, aurura, KSB,Armstrong
and Grundfus.

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