What Is a Fire Pump System?

A fire pump system is the pump system that provides the water pressure and flow rate required by fire suppression systems.

During a fire, it supplies water at sufficient pressure to sprinklers, fire cabinets, or hydrant systems, allowing the fire to be brought under control quickly.

These systems are mandatory especially in the following structures:

• shopping malls
• factories
• hotels
• hospitals
• high-rise buildings
• industrial facilities

Fire pump systems usually work together with fire pumps, a jockey pump, and a control panel.

How Does a Fire Pump System Work?

Fire pump systems contain three different pumps.

1️⃣ Main Fire Pump

This is the main pump that feeds the system during a fire.

These pumps are usually:

• electric motor-driven pumps
• diesel motor-driven pumps

2️⃣ Backup Pump

A second pump is included for the system's safety.

It engages automatically if the main pump fails.

3️⃣ Jockey Pump

The jockey pump is a small pump that keeps the pressure in the system constant.

Thanks to this pump:

• the pressure does not drop
• the main pump does not run unnecessarily.

What Should Be Considered When Choosing a Fire Pump System?

Many technical parameters must be taken into account when choosing a fire pump system.

1️⃣ Flow Rate Calculation

The amount of water (flow rate) the fire pump system will supply is one of the most important parameters.

When calculating flow rate:

• building size
• number of sprinklers
• number of fire cabinets
• number of hydrants

factors like these are taken into account.

Example:

A sprinkler system typically requires:

• 500 – 2000 L/min flow rate
  may be needed.

2️⃣ Discharge Head (Pressure)

The pressure the fire pump system will supply is also a critical parameter.

The following factors are evaluated when calculating pressure:

• building height
• pipe friction losses
• sprinkler pressure
• hydrant pressure

For example:

A 10-story building typically requires 6 – 10 bar of pressure.

3️⃣ Pump Type

The pump types used in fire pump systems are as follows:

Horizontal Pump

This is the most commonly used pump type.

It is usually preferred in areas such as:

• factories
• warehouses
• shopping malls

Vertical Multistage Pump

This is used in systems with high pressure requirements.

This pump type is especially preferred in:

• high-rise buildings
• hotels
• hospitals

Split Case Pump

This is used in industrial systems that require high flow rates.

These pumps have a high capacity.

4️⃣ Standards

The choice of fire pump system must always comply with international standards.

The most commonly used standards are:

• NFPA 20
• EN 12845
• FM Global

These standards guarantee that fire pumps operate reliably.

How Is a Fire Pump System Calculated?

There are three main parameters in fire pump system calculations.

Flow Rate

The amount of water the fire system needs.

Pressure

The height the water needs to reach inside the building.

Pipe Losses

The friction losses in the piping.

Once these values are calculated, the correct pump can be selected.

Where Are Fire Pump Systems Used?

Fire pump systems are mandatory in many types of buildings.

The main areas of use are:

• factories
• shopping malls
• hotels
• hospitals
• warehouses
• high-rise residential buildings

Fire pump systems are especially vital in industrial facilities.

Fire Pump System Brands

There are many quality brands in fire pump systems.

The most preferred brands in the industry are:

• Grundfos fire pumps
• Wilo fire pumps
• Masdaf fire pump systems
• Etna fire pumps
• Standart Pompa systems

Choosing the right brand is very important for the reliability of the system.

Fire Pump System Prices

Fire pump system prices depend on the following factors:

• pump capacity
• pump type
• control panel
• diesel or electric motor

Smaller systems are more cost-effective, while larger industrial systems can be more expensive.

Conclusion

Choosing a fire pump system is a critical issue for fire safety.

The right pump system:

• provides sufficient flow rate
• provides sufficient pressure
• operates reliably during a fire.

For this reason, a fire pump system must always be selected based on engineering calculations and standards.