A fire water pump is a pump used to provide water for the fire fighting system of a fire truck. Fire pumps can be electric or diesel-fueled, and they come in a wide variety of configurations. Some are portable, while others are a fixed installation in the chassis of a fire apparatus.
The two key things to look at when choosing a fire pump are PSI and GPM. PSI relates to the pressure that the pump can deliver through its hoses and nozzles, and GPM refers to how many gallons per minute it is capable of flowing. Remember that a fire water pump can only increase the amount of flow from your truck’s normal supply, not create additional flow itself. If your water supply is not providing enough pressure for your system, a fire pump may be an excellent option.
When selecting a fire pump, check the performance curves on the factory-certified test report. Specifically, you want to ensure that the power curve peaks and then begins to fall. If the curve is continuing to rise, this indicates that the motor has not been properly sized and may be in violation of NFPA requirements.
Keep in mind that any personnel who will be using the fire water pump (whether it is firefighters, police officers, or security guards) will need to be trained on how to use the system. It is recommended to leave a laminated sheet with simple instructions next to the pump so anyone can quickly learn how to operate it in an emergency. It is also a good idea to color-code your hoses. This will help the crew know if they are using the right hose for the situation. fire water pump