When it comes to your fire safety system, a portable fire pump is an essential component that increases water flow rate and makes it easier to access plenty of water to extinguish any fire. In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about this important fire suppression device, from its functionality and benefits to selecting the right model for your facility.
Fire pumps are pressure-increasing devices that are used to deliver water to sprinkler system outlets, delivering sufficient terminal water pressure to meet the fire protection design criteria of the building or space they’re installed in. They’re primarily utilized when hydraulic calculations determine that the existing fire protection water supply cannot produce enough pressure to meet the fire sprinkler system design requirements. This often occurs in high-rise buildings (to overcome hydraulic head losses created by elevation differences), or in systems that require a relatively high terminal pressure at the fire suppression outlets, such as storage warehouses.
Choosing the right portable fire pump requires careful consideration of your facility’s needs, priorities and resources. Some of the key factors to consider include: