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What is a high pressure fire pump?

Views: 468     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2021-11-12      Origin: Site

A fire pump is a part of a fire sprinkler system's water supply and powered by electric, diesel or steam. The pump intake is either connected to the public underground water supply piping, or a static water source (e.g., tank, reservoir, lake). The pump provides water flow at a higher pressure to the sprinkler system risers and hose standpipes.


Fire pumps are needed when the local municipal water system cannot provide sufficient pressure to meet the hydraulic design requirements of the fire sprinkler system. This usually occurs if the building is very tall, such as in high-rise buildings, or in systems that require a relatively high terminal pressure at the fire sprinkler in order to provide a large volume of water, such as in storage warehouses. Fire pumps are also needed if fire protection water supply is provided from a ground level water storage tank.


Our AHP high-pressure pumps are suitable for high-pressure water mist systems. The water quality used in this series of pumps is tap water with a pressure up to 160 bar. These pumps can be used with our safety valves and pilot electric valves.


Extinguishing with the highest degree of efficiency


The compact dimensions and the low weight make the AHP high pressure pump unsurpassed as a built-in underfloor pump for small vehicles. This configuration creates additional space for equipment rooms - an unbeatable advantage for small-size vehicles.


Flow vs. Pressure


When looking at the specs and information on a pump, you will see two acronyms that are very important to a water pump – PSI and GPM. PSI stands for pressure per square inch, and GPM stands for gallons per minute. Both of these are vital in helping you choose what kind of firefighting pump you need, and it is very important to know about the PSI and GPM before buying any pump, regardless of the use. As mentioned above, PSI relates to the pressure of the water coming out of the pump and hose, which basically means that the higher the PSI, the more force the water will have leaving the pump. Similarly, the GPM relates to how much water is coming out of the pump, and not so much how forcefully. Both of these are very important in determining what exactly you want out of a fire fighting water pump, so let’s take a closer look.


Flow


Water pumps will provide you with either a GPM or a GPH (gallons per hour). If the pump manufacturer does not provide a GPM, simply divide the GPH by 60 to find your GPM. These numbers determine the distance that the pump is capable of moving the water (PSI), and also how much water it is capable of moving over a period of time (GPM). The GPM all depends upon the job that you need done, in this case, fire fighting. The fire may require a pump with a very high GPM to move lots of water quickly, or it may hardly need any at all because the most common thing when looking for in a firefighting pump is the most pressure possible. Whatever the case, don’t become set on one pump with one set GPM. Be willing to look at water pumps with more variety and flexibility when it comes to GPM.


Pressure


The pressure of a water pump is very important when it comes to fighting fires, as you often need the water to have a lot of force to help fight the fire. The higher the pressure, the greater the Total Dynamic Head (TDH) and ultimately the distance that you will be capable of spraying water for fire suppression. That is why the PSI is so important, and why it’s so important to make sure you have the right PSI before buying a water pump. Just like the GPM, consider what kind of power you will be needing before you rush to make any purchases.


Flow and Pressure Together


Both the flow and pressure of a water pump are affected by each other, and as such can have an effect on how efficiently you are capable of fighting a fire. When the GPM of a water pump is increased, the PSI goes down, and vice versa for when the PSI is increased. Both are affected by each other. Whether you go with a higher GPM or PSI, it all depends on the job, as well as on the terrain.


Selecting the Correct Size


The size of the pump that you choose all depends upon the job required and the terrain. If your property has steep slopes, tall trees, or saltwater pools, then you may want to invest in a larger water pump that is capable of pumping out large amounts of water. If you don’t know what size pump or hose to get, feel free to contact our application specialists so that they can help you figure out exactly what you need so you can effectively and reliably keep your property and yourself safe from fire.