INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION 43
PUMP TECHNOLOGY
O
ver the years, sprinkler systems have proved
their effectiveness and reliability in contain-
ing and extinguishing fires. From the intro-
duction of this type of protection, a reliable water
supply to the sprinkler installation has proved as
critical as the sprinkler system itself. One tried and
tested way of supplying water to the system is
through fire pumps and water tanks.
Operation
The fire pump is automatically placed on demand
by a pressure drop in the sprinkler system, when a
sprinkler head is called into action. From this
pressure switch signal, the pump set package con-
troller initiates the pump driver to start, powering
the pump to supply the sprinkler head. The Sprin-
kler Contractor determines the flow of water and
pressure needed for the risk. The pump character-
istic and associated equipment are selected to
satisfy the individual sprinkler applications.
The two main ways of driving the fire pump are
electric motor or alternatively the diesel engine.
Many installations will utilise both in a duty and
stand by configuration. When the site does not
By Alex Playfair
Business Manager,
Industrial Fire for SPP
Pumps
Fire pump
packages are
developing to
meet industry
needs
As world markets advance and fire protection systems evolve to satisfy the new
needs, Alex Playfair, Business Manager of Industrial Fire for SPP Pumps, expands
his recent submission to BFSA to show how fire pump technology is developed
to keep pace with the demands created by the changes.
Multi Stage/Multi Outlet
pump in hi-rise building
in Prague

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