{"id":1123,"date":"2017-02-21T13:35:33","date_gmt":"2017-02-21T19:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.websitepreview.dev\/?p=1123"},"modified":"2021-03-17T11:10:30","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T16:10:30","slug":"the-importance-of-annual-fire-apparatus-pump-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/the-importance-of-annual-fire-apparatus-pump-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Annual Fire Apparatus Pump Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When is the last time your department ran a fire pump test on your apparatus? Did you know it should be done at least once per year?\u00a0Ideally, this kind of testing would be done <a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/should-my-department-do-weekly-fire-pump-tests\/\">weekly<\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amazingly, many fire departments have <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">never<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tested their fire pumps and many firefighters have never operated or witnessed a fire pump performance test.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one mistake that can have tragic consequences. An actual fire emergency is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the time to find out if you have discharge or relief valves that don\u2019t work, primers not working, or valves or gauges leaking.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/fire-truck-repair-shop\/\">Annual fire pump testing<\/a> goes a long way toward addressing potentially life-threatening problems. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire pump testing requirements are issued with and detailed procedures for performing these tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) also requires annual pump testing, and the results help determine the fire suppression capability of your community, which will be reflected in local insurance rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Related Post: <a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/nfpa-ladder-testing\/\">Is It Time For Your Annual NFPA Ladder Testing?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparing for Annual Fire Pump Testing<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the International Fire Service Training Association\u2019s (IFSTA) Pumping Apparatus Driver\/Operator Handbook, there are a number of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireresearch.com\/frcnews\/archives\/383\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preliminary tests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that should be completed prior to the annual pump test. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify that all fluids in the pump drive system, primer, and gear case are at the proper level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify that all pump shift controls operate smoothly, all interlock mechanisms engage properly and pilot lights are working.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify that all intake and discharge valve controls are working properly and that includes the transfer valve and relief valve.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engage the pump and inspect pump packing or mechanical seals, and adjust or replace when necessary.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the pump engaged, inspect plumbing and gauge lines for leaks and verify that all gauges and instruments register accurately.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify that the primer valve control and motor are functioning properly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once these preliminary tests are complete, you must <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireresearch.com\/frcnews\/archives\/383\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prepare<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the apparatus for the pump test by following these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maximize the length of suction and discharge lines. It is preferable to keep the operator\u2019s panel opposite from the suction hose, with no more than 20 feet of suction hose above the surface of the water.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attach a strainer to the end of the suction hose.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attach the suction hose to the pump. Use side inlets whenever possible and avoid front suctions and rear intakes. Remove suction or piston intake valves before attaching the suction hose.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Determine the discharge appliance, such as portable monitors or deck guns.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test gauges must be thread into test ports on the pump panel and calibrated within 60 days preceding the test.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use an RPM counter to verify the engine to within 50 RPM.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Site Selection for the Annual Pump Test<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where should the pump test take place?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will you test from a pressurized source or a static source?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In-ground test pits?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portable tanks? Controlling water turbulence coming back into the tank while pumping at capacity can be a challenge, along with maintaining water temperature below 90(0)F.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile fire pump testing trailers?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is preferable to keep the water source below the pump.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you will be testing from a hydrant, it must be capable of flowing the rated capacity of the pump. You must allow ample space for discharging the water and add the static pressure of the hydrant to the net pump pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6-Step Annual Fire Pump Testing Procedure<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The annual pump test actually consists of six separate tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will need the following fire pump testing <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">equipment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calibrated test gauges &#8212; intake and pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smooth bore nozzles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handheld pitot gauge<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suction hose strainer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two 10\u2019 sections of suction hose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopwatch<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thermometer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 \u00bd\u201d fire hose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rubber mallet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tape measure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Required spanners for hoses and appliances<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test #1: Five-Minute Vacuum Test<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Run the pump vacuum for <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 minutes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to begin the actual pump test.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test #2: Timed Primer Test<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This determines how long it takes to lift water to the pump so that pumping can begin. For pumps <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> up to 1,250 gpm, a 30-second maximum time is allowed, and a 45-second max is permitted for pumps rated for 1,500 gpm or higher.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test #3: 100% Test<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Run the pump for <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 minutes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 100% of rated capacity, with a net pump pressure of 150 pounds per square inch (psi).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test #4: 5-Minute Overload<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NFPA requires this test for pumps rated for <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over 750<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gpm. Immediately after the 20-minute test, run the pump for 5 minutes, at its rated capacity, at 165 psi.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test #5: 70% Test<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Run the pump for <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 minutes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 70% capacity and 200 psi.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test #6: 50% Test<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Run the pump for <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 more minutes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 50% capacity and 250 psi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the test is complete, make sure the test is properly <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-20\/issue-8\/departments\/apparatus-the-shops\/fire-pump-performance-testing.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">documented<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This enables you to proactively schedule repairs so that your apparatus will meet all required standards. It will also help your department earn ISO points &#8212; which helps your community enjoy lower insurance rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Related Post: <a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/fire-truck-pump-safety-precautions\/\">Fire Truck Pump Safety Precautions<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have questions about annual pump testing for your apparatus, please <\/span><a href=\"\/contact\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Jon\u2019s Mid America.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By completing this crucial testing on schedule every year, you can rest assured that your pumps will work as needed &#8212; when they are needed most.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When is the last time your department ran a fire pump test on your apparatus? Did you know it should be done at least once per year?\u00a0Ideally, this kind of testing would be done weekly! Amazingly, many fire departments have never tested their fire pumps and many firefighters have never operated or witnessed a fire [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[732],"tags":[745,793,794],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1123"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1123\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}