Module 5

FIRE PUMP SELECTION, SIZING AND

DESIGN
TYPES OF FIRE PUMPS ACCORDING TO USE

2012 PME CODE REQUIREMENT FOR FIRE PUMPS

NFPA 20 REQUIRED ATTACHMENT AND COMPONENTS

NFPA 20 STANDARDS FOR SELECTION AND INSTALLATION

OF FIRE PUMPS

SIZING OF FIRE PUMP USING PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE

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.

Two types of pumps:

1. Positive Displacement Pump
2. Kinetic Pump

Positive Displacement Pump is a pump that is characterized by method of

causing a fluid to move by trapping a fixed amount of it then forcing
(displacing) that trapped volume into the discharge pipe. The periodic fluid
displacement results in a direct increase in pressure.

Positive displacement pumps, unlike centrifugal pumps, produces the same

flow at a given speed (RPM) no matter what the discharge pressure. Thus,
positive displacement pumps are constant flow machines.

Positive Displacement Pumps do not use impellers, but rely on rotating or

reciprocating parts to directly push the liquid in an enclosed cavity until
enough pressure is build up to move the liquid into the discharge system
 Positive Displacement Pumps are classified according to the
mechanism used to move the fluid: Rotary, Reciprocating
and Linear

Rotary positive displacement pumps fall into three main types

Gear pumps - a simple type of rotary pump where the liquid

is pushed between two gears.

Screw pumps - the shape of the internals Gear Pump

of this pump is usually two screws turning
against each other to pump the liquid.

Screw Pump

Rotary vane pumps - it has a cylindrical rotor encased

in a similarly shaped housing. As the rotor orbits, the
vanes trap fluid between the rotor and the casing,
drawing the fluid through the pump.

Rotary Vane Pump

Positive Displacement Pumps are typically not capable of such
a high flow rate as a centrifugal pump, but they are capable of
producing much higher pressures

Positive displacement pumps are generally

available to deliver performance in
accordance with the following ranges:

Flow rates range : between 0.4 to 55,000

liters per minute.

Total head (pressure) range : between 0.7

and 6800 Bar

Horsepower range: between 0.5 and 4,900 Hp

In general, the primary advantage of positive displacement pumps are

ideal for applications where a constant flow is needed and for
applications requiring a combination of low flow and high pressure.
Kinetic Pump is a type of pump where kinetic energy in the form
of velocity is added continuously to a fluid by means of rapidly
rotating impellers. Velocity head created by fluid is then converted
to pressure head.

A Fire Pump is classified under Kinetic Pump

and the most common type is centrifugal
pump. This type of pump is thoroughly
tested, robust, effective and relatively
inexpensive to produce.

The centrifugal pump creates an increase in

pressure by transferring mechanical energy
from the motor to the fluid through the
rotating impeller.

The fluid flows from the inlet to the impeller

center and out along its blades. The
centrifugal force increases the fluid velocity
and consequently the kinetic energy is
transformed into pressure.
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.

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).
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.

Similar to horizontal split case,

commercial sizes available with
pressures upto 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).
Vertical In-Line 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
percent.

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.
End-Suction Pump 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.
Commercially available with capacities up to 750 GPM, 40 to 165 PSI pump
pressures
Vertical Turbine Pump 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.

When operating, these pumps force

water up through the column pipe
to the pump discharge.
The 2012 Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code requires that
Fire Pumps shall be installed in accordance with the sections of
PME Code and NFPA 20 Standard for the Installation of Stationary
Pumps for Fire Protection

Protection Against Interruption Of Service. The fire pump, driver, and

controller shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 20 against possible
interruption of service through damage caused by explosion, fire, flood,
earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism and other
adverse conditions.

Temperature of Pump Room. Suitable means shall be provided for

maintaining the temperature of a pump room or pump house, where required,
above 40oF (5oC).

Test Outlet Valve Supervision. Fire pump test outlet valves shall be
supervised in the closed position.

Testing And Maintenance. Fire pumps shall be inspected, tested and

maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Code.
Valve Supervision. Where provided, the fire pump suction, discharge and
bypass valves, and the isolation valves on the backflow prevention device or
assembly shall be supervised open by one of the following methods:
1. Central-station or remote-station signalling service.
2. Local signalling service that will cause the sounding of an audible signal
at a constantly attended location.
3. Locking valves open.
4. Sealing of valves and approved weekly recorded inspection where
valves are located within fenced enclosures under the control of the
owner.

Acceptance Test. Acceptance testing shall be done in accordance with the

requirements of NFPA 20.

Transfer Switches. Automatic transfer switches shall be periodically tested

in accordance with NFPA 110.

Pump Room Environmental Conditions. Tests of pump room

environmental conditions, including ventilation and illumination, shall be
made to ensure proper manual or automatic operation of the associated
equipment.
 NFPA 20 requires that Fire Pumps systems should have the
following components and attachments for effective 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.

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
(NFPA 20, Section 4.14.6.4)

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.

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 Incorrect Correct
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
(NFPA 20, Section 4.10.1)

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.

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
(NFPA 20, Section 4.10.1)

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)

(NFPA 20, Section 4.15.6)

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
(NFPA 20, Section 6.3.3)

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.

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.

Section 4.18.1.1 provides guidance

on determining if a relief valve is
required.
 Gate or Butterfly Valve for Test
Header
(NFPA 20, Section 4.16.2)

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.
 Test Header
(NFPA 20, Section 4.20.1.1)

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,
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
(NFPA 20, Section 4.20.2)

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.

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.
 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.

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.
 NFPA -20
Standard for installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection

 10.8.3.11 Overcurrent Protection. The power transfer switch shall

not have integral short circuit or overcurrent protection.

 10.3.5 Protection of Auxiliary Circuits. Circuits that are necessary

for proper operation of the controller shall not have overcurrent
protective devices connected in them.

• A fire pump supplies water to a facility's fire protection piping,

which, in turn, supplies water to the sprinkler system and fire
hoses. Obviously, it's vital to keep that supply of water flowing. The
core principle is the fire pump motor must run no matter what —
because it exists solely to protect the facility and people who
work there.
• So keeping that fire pump running is mandatory, regardless of the
consequences to the pump or its circuits. Saving the fire pump or its
conductors is a hollow victory if you lose personnel and/or the
facility.
 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.
Jockey pumps are typically small
A jockey pump is sized for a flow less multistage centrifugal pumps, and do
than the flow to one sprinkler in order not have to be listed or certified for fire
to ensure a system pressure drop. 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.
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.

It is not designed
to keep up with
the system
demand
whenever
sprinkler heads
are activated.
In this case, the
system pressure
will continue to
decrease until the
main fire pump
Check Control
starts. Control Jockey Valve
Valve Valve
Pump

One guideline that has been successfully used to size pressure maintenance pumps is
to select a pump that will make up the allowable leakage rate in 10 minutes or 1 gpm
(3.8 L/min), whichever is larger.
 Pressure Maintenance Pump (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.

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.
 Sensing Line of Fire Pump Controller
(NFPA 20, Section 4.30.1)
One end of the fire pump sensing line is connected to a pressure sensor (mercoid
switch or pressure transducer) within the controller.

The other end of the sensing line is connected to the fire pump piping between
the discharge check valve and discharge control valve of the fire pump assembly.

This provides the

controller the ability to
sense pressure change
in the fire protection
system when the fire
pump is fully in service,
but also allows testing
of the pressure settings
even if the pump
discharge control valve
is closed.
 Fire Department Connection
(NFPA 13 and NFPA 14)

The FDC provides a point of connection where

pressures and flows can be supplemented by the
fire department engine pumper during fire fighting
operations.

Indicating Gate or Butterfly Valve

(Bypass) (NFPA 20, Section4.16.1)

Indicating valves located before and after the

bypass check valve on a bypass are
normally open valves; they provide isolation
of the bypass check valve should it require
repair or replacement. An indicating valve in
the bypass can be used in conjunction with
the pump suction control valve to isolate the
fire suppression system from the water
supply.
 Typical Fire Pump Component and Arrangement

1- OS & Y Gate Valve with 5- Casing Relief Valve 10 - Jockey Pump Controller
Tamper Switch 6 - Discharge Pressure 11 - Jockey Pump
2- Compound Suction Gauge Gauge 12 - Isolation Valves with
3- Horizontal Split Case Fire 7 - Low Suction Pressure Tamper Switches
Pump, Electric Motor Shutoff Valve 13 - Ball Drip Valve
Driven 8 - Fire Pump Controller 14 - Test Valve Manifold
4- Automatic Air Release Valve 9 - Check Valve with Hose Valves,
Caps and Chains
For an underground (cistern) water tank, the use of
centrifugal pump requiring static suction lift is not permitted
as stated in NFPA 20.6.12

NFPA 20, Chapter 7, Section 7.1.1 specifically stated that a vertical turbine
pump shall be installed where the water supply is located below the discharge
flange centerline.

The advantage of using Vertical Shaft Turbine-type water pump:

a. No priming water is required
Since vertical turbine impelers remain submerged in the water supply at all times.
Start-up is instantaneous and requires no supervision.
b. Adaptable to different water levels and wide range of water supplies
Because the column length may be varied to fit the application, a vertical turbine
fire pump can be tailored to meet virtually any water level. A vertical turbine fire
pump can be installed wherever a fluctuating water level exists.
c. Available to meet a wide range of capacity and pressure requirements
By varying the number of stages and sizes of bowls and impellers, a full range
of system pressures and capacities can be obtained from virtually any water
level. This allows the system designer maximum flexibility in designing the most
effective and reliable fire protection system.
 d TO MAIN RISER
s

Negative suction head

WATER TANK

Centrifugal type Fire Pump is not permitted to be used for negative

suction head under NFPA 20
Vertical Turbine Pump Nomenclatures
and Components

Water Lubricated, Open Line Shaft,

Surface Discharge, Threaded Column
and Bowls Turbine Vertical Pump
1. Pump bowl assembly - either a single or
multistage, centrifugal or mixed- flow vertical
pump with discharge coaxial with the shaft. It
has open, semi open, or enclosed impellers.
Assemblies are constructed for use with either
open or enclosed line shafts.

2. Column-and-shaft assembly - consists of the

column pipe which suspends the pump bowl
assembly from the head assembly and serves as
a conductor for the fluid from the pump bowl
assembly to the discharge head. Contained
within the column pipe is the line shaft which
transmits the power from the driver to the pump
shaft.

3. Head assembly - consists of the base from

which the column and shaft assembly and the
bowl assembly are suspended, and may include
the discharge head, which directs the fluid into
the desired piping system, and the driver.
Pump Sizing Applicable Formula
1. Datum or grade - shall be taken as
the elevation of the surface from which
the weight of the pump is supported.
This is normally the elevation of the
discharge head or head base plate.
2. Pump setting - the nominal vertical
distance in feet from the datum to the
column pipe connection at the bowl
assembly.
3. Static water level - the vertical
distance in feet from the datum to the
level of the free pool while no water is
being drawn from the pool.
4. Pumping water level or pumping
level - the vertical distance in feet
from the datum to the level of the tank
when the pump is operating or water is
being drawn.
5. Drawdown – difference between the
pumping water level and the static
water level.
6. Capacity of the pump – the volume rate of
flow (Q), expressed in gpm, produced by the
pump, calculated for specified conditions.

7. Pump speed of rotation (N) - the rate of

rotation of the pump shaft, expressed in rpm
(revolutions per minute).

8. Submergence is the distance from liquid

level to the suction bell of the pump.

9. Head (lift) below datum (h) – the vertical

distance in feet between the datum and the
pumping water level. It is vertical distance,
datum to pumping water level.

10. Head above datum (hd) – the static

discharge head plus the friction loss through
the discharge line and fittings plus the
velocity head.
Head above datum = Static discharge
head + friction loss through discharge
line + velocity head
11. Velocity head (hv) - the kinetic energy per unit
weight of the liquid at a given section expressed
in feet of liquid. Velocity head is specifically
defined by the expression:

12. Pump Total Head (H) is the head (lift) below

discharge or datum plus head above datum plus
friction losses in the discharge line. This is also
referred to as the Pump Rated Head and is
generally required in pump specifications. It does
not include column friction loss and line shaft
loss.
Pump Total Head = Head (lift) below datum +
Head above datum = h + hd

13. Total Dynamic Head (TDH) is the net change in

energy of the fluid being pumped through the
pump. This change in energy is expressed in
terms of how high the fluid has been lifted and how
fast the fluid is traveling at that point. This is the
head shown on the Pump Performance Curves.
TDH = Pump Total Head + Velocity Head
14. Bowl total head (also referred to as Bowl Head or Laboratory Head) -
the head on the pump bow is equal to the pump total head plus the column
friction loss and the discharge elbow loss. It is shown as the total head on
vertical turbine pump performance curves.
Bowl Total Head = Pump Total Head + Column Friction Loss +
Discharge Friction loss

15. Bowl output or horsepower - the power required at the bowl shaft to deliver
the required capacity against the bowl total head and is defined by the
following formula:

(Bowl Total Head, ft) x (Pump Capacity, gpm) x Specific Gravity

3960 x Bowl Efficiency
for water having a specific weight of 62.4lb per cubic foot at 39.2 degrees F,
and having specific gravity of 1. It is expressed in horsepower and is often
referred to as the Bowl Horsepower.
16. Pump Brake horsepower or Field horsepower or just simply Brake
horsepower - the horsepower required at the top shaft and is equal to the
bowl horsepower plus shaft loss and the thrust bearing loss under certain
conditions.
Pump Brake horsepower = Bowl Horsepower + Shaft Loss + {Thrust
bearing Loss (if applicable under certain condition)}
The output power of the pump also known as water power can be derived
theoretically using the following equation.

m p
MOTOR INPUT, Pin BRAKE POWER, Pb WATER POWER, Ph

M P

Ph = TDH Q w

where: Ph = hydraulic power, kW

TDH = total dynamic head or pump head, m
Q = pump discharge rate, m3/s
w = unit weight of water, 9.81 kN/m3
Brake power of the pump with p% pump efficiency,

Pb = Ph/p

where: Pb = brake power, kW

p = pump efficiency

Power input if motor efficiency is m%,

Pin = Pb / m%
= KW or Hp

The Power Input is the Motor Power required to drive the Fire
Pump. The figure derived is the one you will use as part of your
specification.
THANK YOU