Vertical End-Suction Fire Pump

[IBechir]

Greetings
I thought of installing a verical end-suction pump for a fire fighting application because of the small area of the pump room but I could not find any.

Is there a reason why this pump type is not used for fire fighting?

Unfortunately the available in-line pumps, from the local suppliers, are too small.

Much obliged for any information,

IBechir

 

[DubMac]

Fire pumps have to be NFPA approved before they can be sold as a fire pump. Look at your fire insurance policy closely.

 

[IBechir]

I looked in NFPA 20 1999 and I could not find a reason why manufacturers might not use a vertical end-suction pump. Why are there not many fire pump suppliers making this kind of pump? I am probably wrong but I could not find any. Has it become obselete because of another more favorable design such as vertical inline?

 

[DubMac]

Technically you are correct; a manufacturer can use any pump they want as a fire pump. The problem is they would have to go through all of the rigamaroll to get the NFPA approval. That cost alone would make it an unviable economic exercise when there are already so many splitcase and vertical turbines out there doing just fine (Peerless, Patterson, AC, etc).

The fire pump market is EXTREMELY competitive with very low margins. You don't just sell a pump, the whole system must be approved as a unit as well. If you are using it for your own house or your own company, and not trying to get into the Fire Pump business, then you can use whatever you want; but you might want to look into your insurance policy first.

 

[Artisi]

A lot of the info. above assumes that the pump installation requires FM or UL certification.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[IBechir]

Yes the installation does require to be UL and FM certified. Thank you all.

 

[Artisi]

Ok - just stay with what DubMac has advised.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[sprinkler1000]

I am not sure, but there are Split case fire pumps (UL/FM listed) that can be installed vertically.
Check with fire pumps manufacturers (Armstrong, Patterson, Aurora,etc.)