Fire Fighting Course Lecture 5

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FIRE FIGHTING
PREPARED BY
Eng. Mahmoud Saber
Senior Mechanical Engineer
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COURSE OUTLINE
1- BASIC CONCEPTS AND DEFINATION.
2- MANUAL FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS.
STANDPIPE SYSTEMS ( FHC– SIAMESE CONNECTION – FIRE
HYDRANT) - PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
3- AUTOMATIC FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS.
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS - FOAM SYSTEM - WATER MIST SYSTEM
- WET CHEMICAL SYSTEM - FIRE FIGHTING GASES – AUTOMATIC
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS .
4- FIRE FIGHTING CALCULATIONS.
5- FIRE PUMPS & WATER TANKS.
Engineers House Mahmoud Saber Farag-Allah 3

5. FIRE PUMPS & WATER TANKS
THERE ARE TWO MAIN CATEGORIES OF PUMP:
 ROTO DYNAMIC PUMPS.
 POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS.
PUMP
Roto dynamic Positive displacement
Centrifugal
Rotary Reciprocating
Axial flow
Gear
Mixed flow
Piston
Lobe
Turbine
Diaphragm
Sliding Vane
Plunger
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FIRE PUMPS & WATER TANKS
GENERAL – FIRE PUMPS
Fire pump provides the required water flow and
pressure for fire protection system. Without a
properly designed and installed fire pump, the fire
protection system will not effectively and economically
meet its objectives.
FIRE PUMPS TYPES

There are 5 common types of Fire Pumps used in Fire
Protection System and they are used depending on
engineer’s decision and water source.

FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Horizontal Split Case Pumps are the most commonly used
type of pump. This is due to their ease of access to all working
parts, availability of various sizes, efficiently move large
amounts of water, and their long term dependability.
This type of pump requires a water source that provides a
positive suction pressure. It is characterized by a housing that is
split parallel to the shaft.
These high-efficiency units are commercially available with
pressures above 390 psi (27 bar), produce heads to 750 ft (229
m) and flows from 150 to 5,000 gpm (568 to 18,925 litres/min).

FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Horizontal Split Case Pumps

FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Vertical Split Case Pumps
has the functionality similar to that of a Horizontal Split
Case pump with the exception of the vertical orientation of
the pump and motor.
The vertical motor placement offers the advantages of less
required floor space and the protection of the motor
against potential flooding conditions.
This type of pump also requires a water source that
provides a positive suction pressure.

FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Vertical Split Case Pumps
Similar to horizontal split case,
commercial sizes available with
pressures up to 390 psi (27
bar), produce heads to 750 ft
(229 m) and flows from 150 to
5,000 gpm (568 to 18,925
litres/min).

FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Vertical In-Line Pumps
is a vertically oriented centrifugal pump whose drive unit is
supported by the pump having its suction and discharge
flanges on approximately the same centerline.
Designed for easy maintenance, the motor and pump rotating
assembly pull out easily from the top without removing the
pump casing from the piping. Since the impeller is mounted on
the motor shaft, there is no need for field alignment. The
bearing-free pump design operates efficiently with fewer
maintenance and servicing problems. With only one stuffing
box, leakage is reduced by 50 per cent.
FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Vertical In-Line Pumps
Generally these are smaller,
compact pumps requiring
30% less space than
horizontal split case pumps
hence suited for
applications with limited
space.
A positive suction pressure
is required for this type of
pump.
FIRE PUMPS TYPES
End-Suction Pumps
is considered a horizontal pump having its suction nozzle
on the opposite side of the casing from the stuffing box and
having the face of the suction nozzle perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the shaft.
The water flowing through an End-suction Pump makes a
90° radial turn from suction to discharge.
This type of pump requires a water source that provides a
positive suction pressure.

FIRE PUMPS TYPES
End-Suction Pumps
Commercially available with capacities up to 750 GPM,
40 to 165 PSI pump pressures

FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Vertical Turbine Pumps
is a vertical shaft centrifugal pump used
for fire protection where the water source
is below ground or deck level.
Commercial pressure ratings available is
50 PSI to 350 PSI and capacity rating of
250 GPM to 5,000 GPM.
Vertical turbine pump does not require a
water source that provides a positive
suction pressure. As such, this type of
pump is able to operate without priming.
FIRE PUMPS TYPES
Vertical Turbine Pumps
When operating, these
pumps force water up
through the column pipe
to the pump discharge.

FIRE PUMPS – ELECTRICAL PUMP

FIRE PUMPS – DISEL PUMP

FIRE PUMPS – DISEL PUMP

FIRE PUMPS
Pressure Maintenance Pump or Jockey Pump
(NFPA 20, Section 4.25)
Though NFPA 20 does not require the use of a pressure
maintenance pump. It does require a means of maintaining
system pressure and Jockey Pump is most commonly used to
accomplish this requirement.
The pressure maintenance pump maintains the pressure in the
fire suppression system and prevents the main fire pump from
operating unless there is a significant flow of water.
A jockey pump is sized for a flow less than the flow to one
sprinkler in order to ensure a system pressure drop.

FIRE PUMPS
Jockey pumps are
typically small multistage
centrifugal pumps, and do
not have to be listed or
certified for fire system
application.
In order for the jockey pump to work correctly, the
start pressure of the jockey pump must be higher
than the start pressure of the fire pump.
FIRE PUMPS
Aside from maintaining pressure in the system, Jockey
Pump is also installed to avoid non-emergency starting of
the main fire pump thus keeping the main fire pump from
short cycling, which shortens its life span.
The jockey pump is designed to start before the main fire

pump and return the fire protection system to its minimum
static pressure.

FIRE PUMPS
Pressure Maintenance Pump or Jockey Pump Controller
Though a pressure maintenance pump or Jockey Pump is
not specifically required by NFPA 20, it is a means of
maintaining system pressure other than the fire pump.
If a pressure maintenance pump is used, it must have its
own controller. The jockey pump controller is used to start
the jockey pump when the pressure in the fire protection
system decreases to a preset level, and to stop the jockey
pump when the pressure in the fire protection system
increases to a preset level.
FIRE PUMPS ACCESSORIES
Fire Pump Controller

(NFPA 20, Section 4.7.5)
Fire pump controllers are used to monitor and to start and
stop fire pumps. When a controller is set for automatic
operation, a mercoid switch or pressure transducer is used to
tell the controller to start the fire pump when the system
pressure drops to a preset level.

Fire Pump Controller
Electric drive controllers monitor power availability and pump
status, and control the power to the electric motor.
Engine drive controllers monitor power availability and
engine status, and send electronic signals to the engine
driver.

FIRE PUMPS
Pressure Maintenance Pump or Jockey Pump Controller
The pressure settings for the

pressure maintenance pump
and fire pump should be such
that the starting pressure (cut-
in) of the Jockey Pump is
higher than the Main Fire
Pump to eliminate water
hammer during operation.

OS&Y Gate Valve (Pump Suction and Discharge)
(NFPA 20, Section 4.14.5.1)
The Outside Screw & Yoke Gate Valve in the piping of a fire
pump serves two purposes:
1. The OS&Y Valve also provides a way to isolate the fire

pump from the liquid supply so a repair or replacement
can be made to the fire pump or other components.

OS&Y Gate Valve (Pump Suction and
Discharge)
2. When a gate valve is in the fully open

position, the gate is retracted into the body
of the valve, leaving the liquid
passageway clear of any obstruction and
effectively enabling laminar flow thus
avoiding air pockets into the impeller.
Eccentric Reducer at Pump Suction
An eccentric reducer is used on the suction side of a fire
pump assembly to reduce the likelihood of air pockets
entering the pump impeller.
Incorrect Correct

Eccentric Reducer at Pump Suction
In most pump installation, the suction pipe is larger than the pump
suction opening.
• An eccentric reducer installed with the flat side on the top is
used to reduce the suction size pipe to match the pump suction
opening.
• If the suction pipe is the same as the pump suction opening, a
reducer is not required.

Suction Pressure Gauge
According to NFPA 20 4.10.1, “If the minimum pump

suction pressure is below 20 psi at any flow condition, the
suction gauge shall be a compound pressure and
vacuum gauge.” A compound gauge that reads from 30
Hg to 160 psi or 200 psi with a 4" dial is common. Use one
gauge.

Suction Pressure Gauge
If a fire pump starts to draw a negative suction pressure,
there is a possibility that both the fire pump and the suction
piping could cavitate. Negative suction pressures in
underground pipes can also cause infiltration of
groundwater.

Discharge Pressure Gauge
The discharge pressure gauge provides the pump operator the

ability to observe the discharge pressure exerted from the fire
pump. It is beneficial to use liquid-filled gauges on both the
suction and discharge side of the fire pump, because they
dampen pressure fluctuations, making the gauges easier to
read. NFPA 20 requires that gauge dial should not be less than
3.5 in. and pressure should not be less than 200 psi and be
capable of indicating pressure to at least twice the rated working
pressure of the pump.” Use one gauge.
Check Valve (Discharge)
The check valve in the discharge piping
restricts the pressure downstream of the
fire pump, and keeps the pressurized liquid
from going back through the fire pump.
Backflow through a fire pump can spin the
fire pump in reverse, causing damage. The
discharge check valve is necessary for a
jockey pump to maintain pressure on the
system.
Automatic Air Release Valve
The air release, when required, is typically part of the fire
pump. Air in the impeller can cause damage, so it is best
to release air should it develop.
NFPA Standard require all vertical fire pumps to have
automatic air release valve installed at the highest point
of the discharge line a 1½ in. or larger.

Automatic Air Release Valve
The purpose of this
valve is to vent the
air from the column
and head upon
starting the pump,
and to admit air to
dissipate the
vacuum when the
pump is stopped.
Pressure Relief Valve
(NFPA 20, Section 4.18)
The relief valve is not intended to control pressure when a fire
pump has been overdesigned; it is intended to relieve
pressure when a diesel engine is turning faster than normal,
or when failure of the variable speed controls causes a pump
to operate at rated speed.

Gate or Butterfly Valve for Test Header
This valve is typically supervised in the closed position and
is only opened to deliver water to the test outlets or
flowmeter during pump testing procedures.
When this valve supplies a test header located on the
exterior of the pump room, the valve becomes critically
important in order to keep the test connections and supply
piping from freezing.
When this valve supplies a flowmeter, it should be installed
per manufacturer’s recommendations.
Gate or Butterfly Valve for Test Header

Test Header
Though a test header is not specifically required by NFPA

20, a means of testing the pump is. One of the most
commonly used means for testing is a test header.
The test header provides the pump operator the ability to:
1. Measure actual performance by flowing water through
the fire pump,
2. To take readings at appropriate flow rates,
Test Header
3. To develop a test curve to verify that the pump is still
producing and performing in accordance with the original
manufacturer’s pump curve.

Flowmeter
It provides one method of measuring the flow rate from the

fire pump.
If the flowmeter is arranged in a loop piped back to the
pump suction, the pump performance (but not the water
supply performance) can be tested without discharging
water.

Flowmeter
NFPA 25 allows “non-discharge” performance testing of fire
pumps two out of every three years. Every third year, a
“discharge” performance is required. A “discharge”
performance test also tests the water supply to the fire pump.

Typical Piping Connection for Automatic
Fire Pump Control by System Pressure

Typical Fire Pump Component and Arrangement

Typical Fire Pump Component and Arrangement
1- OS & Y Gate Valve with 8 - Fire Pump Controller
Tamper Switch 9 - Check Valve
2- Compound Suction Gauge 10 - Jockey Pump Controller
3- Horizontal Split Case Fire 11 - Jockey Pump
Pump, Electric Motor 12 - Isolation Valves with
Driven Tamper Switches
4- Automatic Air Release Valve 13 - Ball Drip Valve
5- Casing Relief Valve 14 - Test Valve Manifold
6 - Discharge Pressure Gauge with Hose Valves,
7 - Low Suction Pressure Shutoff Caps and Chains
Valve
FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

FIRE PUMPS ROOM

WATER TANKS

WATER TANKS
• Water level be automatically maintained by use
of an altitude valve arrangement
• Must have some device to determine the water
level.
• Must have a low water level alarm device
• Minimum storage capacity is determined by
fire protections engineer for the application
under consideration.

WATER TANKS
Lid Vent
Tank’s Inlet
Overflow
Float Alternative Tank’s

Outlet
Tank’s outlet at the

Tank’s Body Drain bottom ensures
better draining
WATER TANKS

WATER TANKS

WATER TANKS CAPACITY
O V = (QT *3.78*T)/1000
where
O V= capacity of tank (m3)
O QT = total flow rate in the system,
O T = duration time according to hazard

WATER TANKS CAPACITY
Hazard – duration
HAZARD CLASSIFICATION DURATION ( MINUTES )

LIGHT 30
ORDINARY 60-90
EXTRA 90-120

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Engineers House Mahmoud Saber Farag-Allah 3

FIRE PUMPS TYPES

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The jockey pump is designed to start before the main fire

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Fire Pump Controller

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The pressure settings for the

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1. The OS&Y Valve also provides a way to isolate the fire

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2. When a gate valve is in the fully open

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According to NFPA 20 4.10.1, “If the minimum pump

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The discharge pressure gauge provides the pump operator the

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Though a test header is not specifically required by NFPA

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It provides one method of measuring the flow rate from the

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Float Alternative Tank’s

Tank’s outlet at the

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HAZARD CLASSIFICATION DURATION ( MINUTES )

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