In any fire protection system, the fire pump plays a critical role. Its performance directly impacts the system's ability to deliver the necessary water flow and pressure for effective firefighting.
At Global Pumps, we prioritise rigorous testing procedures aligned with AS2941-2013 standards before despatching our fire pump packages. These procedures ensure your fire pump meets and exceeds performance expectations, guaranteeing optimal system reliability. For each fire pump, 2 tests are undertaken, the Performance Test, and the Endurance Test.
Unlike some of our competitors who rely on test results from overseas facilities, every one of our pumps are tested right here in Australia in our new purpose-built test facility at Clovelly Park.
Performance Test
The main purpose of the performance test is to verify whether the pump set can achieve its duty flow rate against the fire system’s pressure. In addition to meeting this duty flow requirement, it must also pump 130% of its duty flow at not less than 80% of the system pressure. The discharge pressure is also measured and recorded when the flow rate is 0%, 30%, 60%, 80% and 120% of the duty flow. These measurements allow for the creation of a pump performance curve.
At Global Pumps, these various flow rates are tested using a pump testing rig which features a flow meter to read the flow, and a butterfly valve to simulate/change the required system pressure (Figure 1).
Figure 1 - 3D CAD model of Global Pumps' Fire Pump Test Rig
At each of the previously specified flow rates, other critical measurements are recorded using a variety of sensors located on either the test rig or pump set. These measurements are recorded to ensure the pump set is operating safely and correctly. For a diesel engine driven pump set these measurements are:
- Suction Pressure
- Engine Coolant Temperature
- Engine Cooling Water Temperature (heat exchanger cooled engines only)
- Engine Cooling Water Flow Rate (heat exchanger cooled engines only)
- Engine Cooling Water Inlet Pressure (heat exchanger cooled engines only)
- Tank Water Temperature
- Engine Oil Pressure
- Engine speed (rpm)
For an electric motor driven pump set these measurements are:
- Suction Pressure
- Casing Relief Flow Rate
- Tank Water Temperature
- Motor Voltage
- Motor Current across each Phase
- Motor speed (rpm)
These results are formatted into a table like that shown below in table 1 and shared to the purchaser prior to despatch.
Table 1 - Performance Test Results Table Example
Endurance Test
The endurance test consists of running the pump set at 130% of its duty flow rate for an extended period of time and recording critical measurements every 15 minutes.
For a diesel engine driven pump set, the test requires 90 minutes to complete and the following measurements must be taken and recorded in a table every 15 minutes.
- Engine Coolant Temperature
- Engine Cooling Water Temperature (heat exchanger cooled engines only)
- Engine Cooling Water Flow Rate (heat exchanger cooled engines only)
- Engine Cooling Water Inlet Pressure (heat exchanger cooled engines only)
- Engine Oil Pressure
- Engine speed (rpm)
- Pump Bearing Temperature (drive end)
- Pump Bearing Temperature (non-drive end)
For an electric motor driven pump set, the following measurements must be taken and recorded in a table after 15 minutes.
- Motor Voltage
- Motor Current across each Phase
- Pump Bearing Temperature (drive end)
- Pump Bearing Temperature (non-drive end)
While rigorous testing is crucial, it's just one piece of the fire safety puzzle. Implementing a fire pump system that seamlessly integrates with your existing infrastructure requires careful planning and expertise.
Our team of fire safety specialists is here to assist you throughout the entire process, from initial design consultation to pump selection and installation. Contact Global Pumps today for a free consultation and ensure your building, school, mine site, or any other structure is equipped to handle any fire emergency. We proudly serve clients throughout Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania.
Check out our past fire pump sets despatched. Read the case study here.
