Many water-based fire protection systems rely on fire pumps. When the pressure of a water source (measured in psi and bar) is insufficient for its supplying system, they’re used to increase it. These are usually found in high-rise buildings or storage buildings that are subject to a high level of demand. This blog aims to discuss the different types of fire pumps available to designers.
The fire pump is available in many types. If you choose the wrong pump type, you’ll incur high costs and risk your system being damaged by excessive pressure. If all factors are not considered, a pump installation could fail to meet the necessary pressure requirements, requiring a new pump installation. Positive displacement pumps and centrifugal pumps are the two main types of pumps.
The Different Types of Fire Pumps (3 Types)
- Positive Displacement Pumps
It is characterized by a method for capturing a specific volume of water per revolution of the pump and allowing it to escape through the discharge line. One of the most common positive displacement pumps we see is a bicycle tire pump. A positive displacement pump creates high pressure but has a significantly smaller flow volume than a centrifugal pump. These aren’t as common because they are typically used in water mist and foam-water systems.
Positive displacement pumps are more commonly used in the medical field. They are used in various applications such as intravenous drips, dialysis, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which is used for cardiopulmonary bypass. In these cases, the high pressures that positive displacement pumps create are needed for the system’s proper function. Positive displacement pumps can also be used to clean and sterilize a room or hospital space. Centrifugal pumps can be used in many applications as well, but not all centrifugal pumps are positive displacement. They can be used in closed-loop systems, where the pumped fluid is also circulated. However, this type of pump is only used when there is a need for a constant volume of fluid flow since a centrifugal pump creates a constant pressure but has a variable flow rate.
- Centrifugal Pumps
Fire pumps use centrifugal technology and are found in most systems. Pumps that utilize centrifugal force or spinning create pressure primarily by applying centrifugal force. A centrifugal pump draws water into its suction inlet and moves it to the center of the impeller. In turn, water is driven by centrifugal force to the discharge rim by the rotation of the impeller. Centrifugal pumps can handle large volumes of water and enhance pressure at the same time.
Centrifugal pumps can handle large volumes of water and enhance pressure at the same time. Pumps that utilize centrifugal force or spinning create pressure primarily by applying centrifugal force. A centrifugal pump draws water into its suction inlet and moves it to the center of the impeller. In turn, water is driven by centrifugal force to the discharge rim by the rotation of the impeller. Centrifugal pumps can handle large volumes of water and enhance pressure at the same time. Centrifugal pumps can handle large volumes of water and enhance pressure at the same time. A centrifugal pump is a type of pump used to move liquids through pipes.
- Horizontal Split-Case Pump
The flow from a horizontal split-case pump is split as it enters the impeller from the opposite side of the housing. Pumps of this kind are installed with split casings accessible for pump maintenance and connected to the driver by a horizontal shaft.
These pumps are very reliable, offer a wide range of flow rates and pressures, are relatively easy to maintain due to their split-case design, and can be operated with either electric or diesel engines. However, all types of fire pumps come with the disadvantage of taking up the most space.
