Fire pump maintenance is the program of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual inspection, testing and servicing that NFPA 25 sets out to keep a building’s pump ready to start on its own and deliver its rated flow, and Paul Industries performs that work, along with fire pump repair and fire pump installation, for commercial buildings and industrial facilities in all 50 states.
What is fire pump maintenance, and what does it cover?
Fire pump maintenance covers the whole pump assembly: the pump, its driver, the controller, the jockey pump, the valves and test devices around them, and the room they sit in.
A commercial fire pump usually takes one of four forms. Horizontal split-case pumps open along the shaft for service and suit larger flows. Vertical in-line pumps save floor area in crowded mechanical rooms. End-suction pumps serve smaller systems. Vertical turbine pumps are required by NFPA 20 where water sits below the discharge flange and supply pressure cannot deliver it to the pump, such as a wet pit or a below-grade tank. Drivers are electric motors or diesel engines. A fire pumps maintenance program across a campus tracks each unit by type, driver and duty, because those three facts set the schedule.
Fire duty differs from process duty in one way that shapes everything else: the machine sits idle for years, then has to work the first time with nobody touching it.
Fire pump testing: NFPA 25 intervals by driver and duty
Fire pump testing under the 2023 edition of NFPA 25 means a no-flow run weekly for diesel units, weekly or monthly for electric units depending on duty, and a flow test every year for all of them. The electric interval is the one most often misread, since the 2014 edition rewrote these requirements and many older logs and specifications still say weekly for every pump. Weekly remains acceptable on any unit, but it is no longer the default on every electric pump.
| Pump and duty | No-flow test | Minimum run | Flow test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel engine drive | Weekly | 30 minutes | Annually |
| Electric, serving a building beyond the fire department’s pumping capacity | Weekly | 10 minutes | Annually |
| Electric, with a limited service controller | Weekly | 10 minutes | Annually |
| Electric, vertical turbine | Weekly | 10 minutes | Annually |
| Electric, taking suction from a ground-level tank or a source with no useful pressure of its own | Weekly | 10 minutes | Annually |
| Any other electric pump | Monthly permitted | 10 minutes | Annually |
| Electric system with a redundant pump | Monthly permitted | 10 minutes | Annually |
| Any unit with an approved risk analysis | Set by the analysis | Per driver above | Annually |
These NFPA 25 fire pump testing requirements come from Chapter 8 of the 2023 edition. A 2026 edition has since been published, adoption varies by state and city, and the fire code may add its own terms, so the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted is the one that governs the logbook, and the schedule we write names it. The numbers on this page come from the 2023 edition of NFPA 25 and the 2025 edition of NFPA 20; an older or newer adopted edition can differ.
Fire pump testing procedures for the no-flow run
The no-flow run starts automatically, by dropping pressure at the sensing line or through an automatic timer, because a manual start proves nothing about the controller. With the pump stopped, the technician records suction and discharge pressures. Pumps with electronic pressure sensors also get the event log pressures recorded. Once it is running, the technician records start pressure, inspects packing glands for a slight discharge, checks for noise, vibration and overheating, and confirms the circulation relief valve is discharging on electric and radiator-cooled diesel units. NFPA 25 requires qualified personnel in attendance whenever the pump runs, unless remotely monitored automated testing meets the standard’s conditions, including a response within 4 hours and automatic engine shutdown on diesels.
Fire pump maintenance schedule
A fire pump maintenance schedule built from NFPA 25 Table 8.1.1.2 assigns each task to a fixed interval, and the manufacturer’s instructions apply on top of it wherever they ask for more.
| Interval | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Weekly or monthly | Weekly visual inspection of the room, pump, electrical system and diesel system; no-flow run at the interval set by driver and duty |
| Quarterly | Engine crankcase breather; fuel tank float switch and supervisory signal for interstitial space |
| Annually, all units | Flow test; parallel and angular alignment; shaft end play while running; grease bearings and couplings; pressure gauges and sensors, replaced or recalibrated when more than 5 percent off; alarm signals; main relief valve; suction screens; flow meter and test gauge calibration |
| Annually, with the controller de-energized or from outside it | Electrical connections, circuit board corrosion, cable and wire insulation, plumbing parts inside and outside panels |
| Every fifth year, or per manufacturer | Replace drive components with elastomeric material, including torsional couplings |
| Per NFPA 110 | Transfer switch exercise and any generator set feeding the pump |
A fire pump service visit under this schedule also deals with safety. Since the 2020 edition, NFPA 25 has limited annual checks so they are done without opening an energized electric controller, and the isolating switch in a separate compartment can be used to meet that limit. Our preventive maintenance and service contracts pages show how these tasks fit a wider program, and plant utilities covers the systems around the pump room.
Fire pump inspection checklist for the weekly walk
A fire pump inspection checklist is the set of weekly visual checks in NFPA 25, grouped into room, pump system, electrical system and diesel system, and every line is a yes or a reading. Use it as a fire pump maintenance checklist for the logbook, or as a template for a site fire pump inspection form.
| Area | What gets checked weekly |
|---|---|
| Room | At least 40 degrees F with an electric motor or a diesel with engine heater; at least 70 degrees F for a diesel without one; louvers free to move; no water collecting on the floor; coupling guard in place |
| Pump system | Suction, discharge and bypass valves fully open; no piping leaks; suction and system gauges in range; reservoir at required level; wet pit screens clear and in place; test valves and hose valve closed, test line free of water |
| Electrical | Controller power light on; transfer switch normal light on; isolating switch closed; reverse phase alarm off or normal rotation light on; vertical motor oil in range; jockey pump has power |
Diesel fire pump maintenance checklist
A diesel fire pump maintenance checklist adds the engine, its fuel, its batteries and its cooling to everything an electric unit needs, and diesel fire pump maintenance is where most of the extra hours go. Fuel degrades in storage and batteries lose charge on standby.
| Interval | Diesel task |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Fuel tank at least two-thirds full; selector in auto; both battery voltages and charging currents in range; battery lights normal; all alarm lights off; record run-time meter; right-angle gear, crankcase and cooling water levels; electrolyte level; terminals free of corrosion; water-jacket heater running |
| Quarterly | Crankcase breather; float switch and interstitial supervisory signal |
| Annually or 50 run hours | Lubricating oil and oil filter |
| Annually | Fuel filter; fuel degradation test; tank check for water and foreign material; vents and overflow; flexible hoses; exhaust, condensate trap and silencer; turbo back pressure; batteries; sacrificial anode; circulating water filter; high coolant temperature signal; backup electronic control module and sensors |
The annual battery work has hard numbers: specific gravity, state of charge and charger rates are tested, terminals are cleaned, and cranking voltage must exceed 9 volts on a 12-volt system or 18 volts on a 24-volt system. Fuel is tested against ASTM D975, or ASTM D6751 for biodiesel blend stock, as the engine manufacturer approves. Failed fuel is reconditioned or replaced, the tank is cleaned, filters are changed, and testing moves to every 6 months until a full year of storage is proven.
Diesel fire pump testing procedures
NFPA diesel fire pump testing requirements set a weekly automatic start and a run of at least 30 minutes, with crank time, time to running speed, oil pressure, engine speed, water and oil temperatures and heat exchanger cooling flow observed. Diesel fire pump testing at annual flow also records rpm at every point, because net pressure is compared with a curve built at rated speed. NFPA 25 does not allow speeding up the engine beyond rated speed to reach the rated numbers, so a weak pump cannot be hidden with the governor.
What happens during the annual fire pump test?
The annual fire pump test measures flow, suction pressure, discharge pressure and speed at churn, at rated flow and at 150 percent of rated flow, then compares the result with the pump’s original curve. A specification that calls for an NFPA 25 fire pump performance test means this same event. Variable-speed units are tested under variable-speed control at churn and in 25 percent steps to 150 percent, and again under constant speed control at churn, rated flow and 150 percent. Drawn as a fire pump testing flow chart, the job runs in this order.
| Step | What we do | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare | Confirm rated data from the nameplate, pull the original curve and the system demand from the owner, plan the discharge, and tell the owner the location, approximate flow and duration | The result can be judged, and nothing floods |
| 2. Start | Automatic start; note start pressure and timing | Controller and sensing line work |
| 3. Churn | Watch the circulation relief valve and any main relief valve; record pressures, rpm, and volts and amps where readable from outside the controller | Valves behave, and shutoff matches the curve |
| 4. Rated flow | Open test devices until 100 percent of rated flow is steady; record the same set | The pump still supplies 100 percent of rating |
| 5. Peak flow | Raise to 150 percent of rated flow, or the most the suction allows at its lowest permissible pressure | The top of the curve and the supply both hold |
| 6. Power failure | With a transfer switch, simulate an outage at peak load; hold at least 2 minutes on alternate power; confirm retransfer | Overcurrent devices stay closed and the alternate source carries the load |
| 7. Alarms and mechanics | Simulate alarm signals; inspect alignment; clear suction screens after flowing | Supervision and mechanical condition |
| 8. Evaluate | Correct for speed where applicable, plot net pressure against the curve, write the report | Pass, deficiency or impairment |
NFPA 25 accepts the result when four things are true: the pump meets the flow and pressure of the most demanding system it supplies, it delivers 100 percent of rated flow, net pressure at each flow point is at least 95 percent of the original manufacturer’s curve, the original unadjusted field curve or a curve built from the nameplate, and the suction supply still meets the standard. Motor current at each point must stay within full-load amps times service factor, and motor voltage within 5 percent below or 10 percent above nameplate.
The design curve explains the other numbers on the report. NFPA 20 requires a centrifugal pump to furnish at least 150 percent of rated capacity at no less than 65 percent of rated head, and current editions limit shutoff head to 140 percent of rated head. A 1,000 gpm pump rated at 100 psi net therefore has to reach 1,500 gpm at 65 psi or better. Older editions set a lower shutoff limit on some split-case pumps, so the original design basis governs a legacy unit.
Fire pump testing equipment and calibration
Fire pump testing equipment means calibrated gauges or transducers, a flow-measuring device, and a tachometer, with volts and amps read where the controller provides an external means. Gauges and transducers are calibrated at least annually to plus or minus 1 percent, flow meters annually to plus or minus 3 percent, and each device carries a label showing its latest calibration date.
Closed-loop metering back to pump suction is permitted two of every three years, with recirculating water temperature watched. At least every third year, the flow goes through hose streams or through a bypass flowmeter to a drain or suction reservoir, which is what actually proves the water supply. If closed-loop results do not match the prior year, the test is repeated by hose, or the flowmeter is calibrated and the test repeated.
How to size a fire pump test header
A fire pump test header is sized from NFPA 20 Table 4.28, which (2025 edition) sets the minimum number of 2.5-inch hose valves and the supply pipe by pump rating, and the supply pipe goes up one size when the run from the pump discharge exceeds 15 feet. The header sits on an exterior wall or elsewhere outside the pump room, where water can be discharged during testing. Metering devices must handle at least 175 percent of rated capacity.
| Pump rating (gpm) | 2.5-inch hose valves | Header supply (in.) | Meter device (in.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 750 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| 1,000 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| 1,500 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| 2,500 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
What fails a fire pump inspection?
A fire pump inspection most often turns up closed or partly closed valves, out-of-range gauges, controller alarms, low fuel, tired batteries and missing records, while the flow test finds worn pumps and weak suction. NFPA 25 sorts the outcome: failure to provide maximum system demand is an impairment, excessive vibration or worn or loose parts are a deficiency, and degraded performance that still meets demand is a noncritical deficiency. The owner gets written notice of the failure and of the correction.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Corrective work |
|---|---|---|
| Pump will not auto-start | Selector or controller state, plugged or isolated sensing line, failed transducer | Restore auto, clean the line, replace the sensor, retest automatic start |
| Jockey pump short-cycling | System leak, passing check valve, settings too tight | Find the leak, service the check, reset start and stop pressures |
| Main pump starts before the jockey | Settings drifted or the order was never set | Reset per the design: jockey stop at churn plus minimum static, jockey start at least 10 psi lower, main pump about 5 psi below that |
| Net pressure under 95 percent of curve | Worn impeller or wear rings, recirculation, low speed, bad gauge, partly closed valve | Verify instruments and valves first, then open and inspect |
| Cannot reach peak flow | Supply decline, suction screen debris, obstructed test device | Hydrant flow test, clear screens, test at the maximum suction allows, re-evaluate demand |
| Hot gland or heavy leak | Packing overtightened or worn, scored sleeve | Adjust gland nuts; repack; inspect the sleeve |
| Diesel slow to crank or overheating | Weak battery, dirty filter, poor cooling water flow, failed heater | Battery and charger service, filter change, heat exchanger cleaning |
Fire pump repair: packing, bearings, controllers and jockey pumps
Fire pump repair is any work on the assembly that adjusts, rebuilds or replaces a component, and NFPA 25 requires specific tests to return the unit to service after each one. Replacement parts should maintain the listing wherever possible, and where the original manufacturer no longer makes a part, an approved like part is permitted. Common repairs include repacking, bearings and couplings, realignment, impellers and wear rings, relief valves, transducers, controllers, jockey pumps and test header changes.
Our industrial pump repair methods for clearances, runout and laser alignment carry over; the difference is the acceptance step afterward. Welded spools come through our industrial welding services, and feeders and transfer switches through our commercial electrical services, so one contract holds the schedule and the test record. When a unit fails outside a planned window, emergency repair service brings same-day response and an impairment plan to the first call.
Who repairs and installs fire pumps?
Paul Industries repairs, services, tests and installs fire pumps for commercial and industrial owners in all 50 states, with same-day emergency response. The work covers electric and diesel units of every configuration, under one contract, one schedule and one set of records. Buyers can take the route that suits the job: supply-only for a replacement pump, controller or jockey package; design-build where demand, supply or the room has to be re-engineered; or complete installation through acceptance testing.
Fire pump repair vs replacement
Fire pump repair makes sense while the pump still meets system demand and the worn parts can be replaced within the listing, and replacement makes sense when the unit can no longer serve the building as it stands today. One contractor’s published guide suggests a full condition assessment once a unit is past its second decade, even with passing tests, as a judgment call and not a code limit.
| Condition | Usual direction |
|---|---|
| Net pressure slipping toward 95 percent, demand still met | Open and inspect; plan the rebuild in a window |
| Building demand has outgrown the rated flow after a change in occupancy or storage | Replace or add capacity, with a hydraulic review |
| Parts unavailable or controller obsolete | Replace the controller or the unit; compare both |
Fire pump installation requirements under NFPA 20
Fire pump installation requirements come from NFPA 20, with the wiring under NFPA 70 Article 695 and the building and fire codes adding their own conditions on top. NFPA 20 requires the pump to be dedicated to and listed for the service, and it treats pump, driver and controller as one unit, with a single entity responsible for performance. Paul Industries takes that responsibility on the jobs we install.
- Room separation: a high-rise needs 2-hour construction or 50 feet of separation. Elsewhere it is 2-hour or 50 feet if the exposing building is not sprinklered, and 1-hour or 50 feet if both are fully sprinklered. The room stays free of storage and unrelated equipment, with domestic water equipment permitted.
- Suction: gauge pressure at the flange stays at 0 psi or higher at maximum flow, with a -3 psi allowance for a qualifying suction tank. A listed OS&Y gate valve is required, and no other control valve may sit within 50 feet of the flange, apart from permitted backflow devices.
- Bypass: required where the supply has useful pressure without the pump.
- High-rise power: an electric pump needs a reliable alternate power source or a back-up pump.
Reading a fire pump installation diagram
A fire pump installation diagram is easiest to read in flow order: supply, OS&Y valve, any backflow device, suction gauge, eccentric reducer, pump, discharge gauge, circulation relief valve, main relief valve where needed, check valve, test header connection, discharge control valve, then the system. The fire pump installation details that field reviews catch most are a backflow preventer closer than 10 pipe diameters to the flange, or 50 feet where it has butterfly valves; an elbow or tee parallel to a split-case shaft within 10 diameters; a concentric reducer that traps air; and a test header left inside the room. Our process piping work covers the fabrication and pressure testing, and a pump skid packages much of this where the room allows it.
Vertical fire pump installation
Vertical fire pump installation splits into two very different jobs. Vertical inline fire pump installation is mainly a matter of support, since the pump has a high center of gravity, and in seismic work NFPA 20 calls for mounting at the base and bracing above that center. A vertical turbine job centers on the wet pit or tank, the column and bowls, and any right-angle gear.
Diesel fire pump installation
Diesel fire pump installation adds a fuel tank sized at 1 gallon per horsepower plus expansion volume, a dike under it, two independent starting energy sources, combustion air, cooling and an exhaust run. Engineers generally expect a higher install and upkeep cost than for electric drive, which is weighed against independence from the utility. On these and every other install, flushing and hydrostatic testing come before the field acceptance test, which runs the unit at churn, rated flow and peak flow with repeated automatic and manual starts.
How is a fire pump taken out of service in an occupied building?
A fire pump in an occupied building comes out of service only as a planned impairment, with an authorized coordinator, tags, notifications and a defined return-to-service step. NFPA 25 keeps water supplies in service during routine work unless qualified personnel are in constant attendance or the impairment procedures are followed. Where a required system will be out for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period, NFPA 25 Chapter 15 has the owner’s impairment coordinator arrange one of four measures: evacuation of the affected building or area, an approved fire watch, a temporary water supply, or an approved program to eliminate ignition sources and limit fuel. The fire department, insurer, alarm company and affected supervisors are notified as well.
The adopted fire code can be stricter than that 10-hour line. Section 901.7 of the International Fire Code, where adopted, calls for immediate notice to the fire department and fire code official whenever a required system is out of service, and the official can require evacuation or an approved fire watch regardless of duration. We build the rule that applies at your address into the impairment plan before the pump opens.
In an operating facility, we schedule around production runs, tenant moves and any planned shutdown or turnaround. Long-lead parts are on site before the pump opens, tie-ins are sequenced to keep the outage short, and a temporary pump is an option where the risk justifies it. Flow tests are planned around the discharge route, because a 1,000 gpm pump at peak flow puts out 1,500 gpm, and NFPA 25 asks the owner and the tester to work together to limit water damage.
Records the authority having jurisdiction and insurer expect
Records under NFPA 25 belong to the property owner, must be available to the authority having jurisdiction on request, and each one must state the activity, the organization, the required frequency, the results and date, and who performed it. Routine records are kept at least 1 year after the next task of the same type. As-built drawings, hydraulic calculations, original acceptance test records and manufacturer data sheets are kept for the life of the system, and electronic storage is permitted. Insurers commonly ask for the same flow test data. Here is the paperwork we hand over.
- Weekly and monthly logs with pressures, start times and run times.
- An annual report with raw suction, discharge, voltage, amperage and speed data at each flow, the system demand furnished by the owner, a satisfactory or unsatisfactory finding, deficiencies with recommendations, the manufacturer’s data and the actual curve, time delays, and a comparison with prior years.
- Calibration records for gauges and flow meters, and fuel test results on diesel units.
- Written notice of unacceptable results and of completed corrections.
How much does fire pump testing and installation cost?
Fire pump testing is listed at about $300 to $2,000 per year for the annual flow test depending on system size, a commercial installation at about $15,000 to $50,000, and replacement pump and driver packages at up to $150,000 or more. Each line in the table below comes from one or two contractors’ cost guides published in 2025 and 2026, so read them as planning numbers for the scope shown, not as quotes.
| Item | Published range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual flow test | $300 to $2,000+ | Test and report, small to large systems; diesel typically higher; repairs extra |
| Installed fire pump, commercial building | $15,000 to $50,000 | One contractor’s planning figure for the pump installed; controller is listed separately |
| Replacement pump and driver package | $20,000 to $150,000+ | One contractor’s figure for a mid-size commercial replacement, pump and driver only, by driver type and listing |
| Controller | $3,000 to $15,000+ | Controller, by listing and features |
| Electrical work for a replacement | $2,000 to $10,000+ | Disconnects, conduit and transfer switch wiring |
| Jockey pump replacement | $3,000 to $15,000 | By horsepower, pressure, controller and labor conditions |
Fire pump installation cost drivers
Fire pump installation cost moves mainly with rated flow and pressure, driver type, listed equipment selection, room construction, suction work and any supply upgrade, electrical service and alternate power, fuel system and exhaust on a diesel, the distance to a usable test discharge, permit and submittal requirements, and whether the work happens in a live building. Paul Industries offers a budget range from comparable scope once we know the pump data and the site, then a firm price when the scope is defined.
What Paul Industries does on fire pumps
Paul Industries tests, inspects, services, repairs, replaces and installs electric and diesel fire pumps, jockey pumps, controllers, test headers, flow meters and the piping around them. We set up the weekly and monthly program, run the annual test, write the report, plan impairments so the building keeps operating, and answer failures the same day in all 50 states. See our full services list, service area and industrial maintenance services for what else one contract can hold. Request a quote with your pump’s nameplate data and last test report.
Standards referenced: NFPA 25 · NFPA 20 · NFPA 70 Article 695 · NFPA 70E · NFPA 110 · NFPA 13 · International Fire Code · International Building Code · ASTM D975 · ASTM D6751
Frequently asked questions
How often should a fire pump be tested?
Under the 2023 edition of NFPA 25, diesel units get a no-flow run weekly, and electric units weekly or monthly according to duty. Every unit also gets a flow test once a year. An approved risk analysis can change the no-flow interval, and an adopted edition or fire code can add to it.
How long does it take to run a fire pump test?
A no-flow run lasts at least 10 minutes on an electric motor and at least 30 minutes on a diesel engine. The annual test takes longer, because it holds steady readings at churn, rated flow and peak flow, and setup, alignment checks, a transfer switch test and restoring the room add to that total.
How much does a fire pump test cost?
Contractor guides from 2025 and 2026 list about $300 to $2,000 or more for the annual flow test, rising with system size and diesel engine checks. Paul Industries gives a budget range from comparable scope and then a firm price once the pump data and discharge route are known.
What is fire pump churn testing?
Churn testing runs the pump with no water flowing to the system, except the small discharge through the circulation relief valve that keeps the casing cool. Pressures, start behavior, packing, bearings and vibration all get checked during the run, and churn pressure is one point on the annual curve as well.
What is a fire pump test header?
A test header is a set of hose valves on a pipe connected to the pump discharge, placed on an exterior wall or elsewhere outside the pump room. Hoses and nozzles attached there discharge water at measured rates, which lets the annual test reach rated flow and the 150 percent point.
What is the difference between a fire pump test header and an FDC?
Water leaves through a test header and enters through a fire department connection, known as an FDC. The header draws from the pump discharge so the pump can be flow tested. An FDC lets an engine company pump into the sprinkler or standpipe piping during an incident, and the two are piped and marked separately.
Which standard describes fire pump testing?
NFPA fire pump testing falls under two documents. NFPA 25 sets the routine inspection, testing and maintenance after the system is in service, while NFPA 20 sets installation and the field acceptance test. The edition adopted by the authority having jurisdiction is the one that applies at a given site.
What are the NFPA requirements for fire pump testing?
The core items are an automatic start, a minimum no-flow run of 10 minutes electric or 30 minutes diesel on the required interval, an annual test at churn, rated flow and 150 percent, calibrated instruments, a written report, and written notice to the owner of any unacceptable result along with an investigation.
Who can test a fire pump?
NFPA 25 requires qualified personnel, defined as people with training acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, certification from a recognized fire protection organization, or credentials from a state or municipal authority. State and local rules can add requirements of their own, and the report names the organization that performed the work. Paul Industries tests fire pumps in all 50 states.
Why are fire pumps important?
Fire pumps raise water pressure when the supply alone cannot meet the demand of sprinklers or standpipes, which is common in tall buildings, large warehouses and sites drawing from tanks. If the pump fails to start or falls short on flow, the system it feeds may not control a fire.
What fire pump maintenance requirements are listed in model codes?
Model codes generally point to the NFPA standards. The International Fire Code sends fire pump inspection, testing and maintenance to its Section 913 and NFPA 25, and the International Building Code sends installation to NFPA 20. States and cities often amend these sections, so the adopted version sets the actual obligation.
What is pump maintenance on a fire protection unit?
Pump maintenance on fire duty means greasing bearings and couplings, checking alignment and end play, adjusting packing, servicing valves and instruments, and keeping the driver ready. NFPA 25 requires a preventive maintenance program based on manufacturer recommendations or an approved alternative, beginning as soon as the assembly passes acceptance tests.
What should a fire pump testing company deliver?
Expect calibrated instruments with dated labels, raw data at every flow point, a plotted net curve against the original curve, a satisfactory or unsatisfactory finding, a list of deficiencies with recommendations, and written notice of corrections. Paul Industries also compares each year with the last, which shows gradual pump wear before it becomes a failure.
How does fire pump service testing differ from an acceptance test?
Fire pump service testing happens throughout the life of the unit under NFPA 25, and it judges the pump against its original curve and current demand. Acceptance testing happens once, under NFPA 20, after a new installation is complete, and it creates the baseline that later service results are measured against.
What goes on a fire pump inspection form?
A useful form names the pump, driver, rating and edition of NFPA 25, then lists each weekly item as a yes or a reading: room temperature, valve positions, gauge pressures, controller lights and, on diesels, fuel level and battery readings. It closes with deficiencies, date and the person responsible.
Can a fire pump be tested without discharging water?
Closed-loop metering through a bypass flowmeter is allowed two years out of three, which keeps water out of the parking lot or drain. At least every third year the test must discharge through hose streams or to a drain or suction reservoir, because a closed loop does not prove the incoming supply.
What happens when the water supply cannot reach 150 percent of rated flow?
NFPA 25 then has the pump tested at 100 percent of rated flow and at the maximum flow allowed at its lowest permissible suction pressure. The result is still judged against the most demanding system, and if that demand cannot be met, the condition is treated as an impairment.
What happens if a fire pump fails its annual test?
The owner is notified in writing and the cause is investigated. Failing to meet maximum system demand is an impairment, so impairment procedures begin, while worn parts or excessive vibration count as a deficiency. Paul Industries starts by verifying instruments, valves and suction, the same day where the failure is urgent, and then opens the pump if needed.
Can a controller timer replace a person at the weekly test?
An automatic timer can start the run, but qualified personnel still have to attend it. The exception is remotely monitored automated testing that meets NFPA 25, which requires all the normal observations, automatic engine shutdown on diesels and the ability to reach the pump within 4 hours of an abnormal condition.
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