- Pumpset
A fire pump or fire pumpset is an assembly containing a motor (driver), controller, pump, water supply and associated accessories to maintain or boost the water supply pressure and flow rate to satisfy the required performance requirements (duties).
The key components of a fire pump-set and sub-systems maintained during routine servicing include:
- Motor or Engine Driver: The pump driver is the component of the system that operates (drives) the pump. There are two main types of drivers for a fire pumpset assembly;
- an electric driver; or
- a combustion-ignition (diesel driven) driver.
- Pressure Maintenance Pumpset: An automatic pressure maintenance pump, also known as a jacking pump or jockey pump is an important component of a fire pump assembly to maintain the water supply pressure of a system and help prevent the unplanned operation of the primary water supply pump-set.
- Motor or Driver Controller (Pump Controller): The controller is the brains of every pump-set, modern controllers are a electrical/electronic device comprising singal inputs, signal (pump control) outputs, power supply, secondary (battery backup), instrumentation and displays.
- Pump: The mechanical unit that moves water from the water supply source into the fire protection piping at the required pressure and volume (flow rate).
- Incoming (Suction) and Outgoing (Discharge) Water Supply: The incoming (suction) pipe draws water from the main water supply, storage tank, or reservoir while the outgoing (discharge) pipe delivers pressurised water throughout the facility.
- Pressure Relief Valve: A pressure relief valve is a safety component that opens to discrarge excess water pressure, protecting pipes and system components from damage during operation.
- Pressure Reducing Valves: A pressure reducing valve sontrols and lowers downstream water pressure to ensure it remains within safe design limits across different zones of a building.