Fire Pump Testing
Regular testing of fire pumps to verify they can deliver required water pressure and flow for fire suppression systems.
In Detail
Fire pump testing verifies that the pump can deliver the design water pressure and flow rate needed by the building's fire suppression systems. NFPA 25 requires: weekly no-flow (churn) tests to verify automatic starting and run for 10 minutes, annual flow tests to measure pump performance against its rated capacity curve, and quarterly tests of controller and transfer switch function. The annual flow test must demonstrate the pump meets or exceeds 95% of its rated performance. Test results are plotted against the manufacturer's pump curve to identify degradation. Fire pumps are critical because many buildings rely on them to boost municipal water pressure to adequate levels for sprinkler and standpipe systems. Failed fire pump tests require immediate corrective action and notification to the building owner.
Related Terms
NFPA 25
The National Fire Protection Association standard for inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems.
Sprinkler Inspection
Regular examination of automatic fire sprinkler systems to verify they are in proper working condition and ready to operate.
Deficiency Tracking
The process of documenting, prioritizing, and resolving deficiencies found during fire protection inspections.
Inspection Frequency
The required intervals at which fire protection systems must be inspected and tested per applicable NFPA standards.