However well designed, a firefighting network needs water at enough pressure and flow the moment a fire starts. That is the job of the fire pump room.
Typical pump room components
- Main electric pump: delivers the design flow and pressure.
- Diesel standby pump: starts automatically if power fails or the electric pump does not start.
- Jockey pump: a small pump that keeps the network pressurised and makes up minor leaks.
- Controllers: start each pump automatically at set pressure points.
- Valves, gauges and test headers to isolate pumps and measure performance.
How they work together
- Normally the jockey pump runs briefly to keep pressure steady.
- When a sprinkler or hose opens, pressure drops and the main pump starts.
- If the electric pump fails or power is lost, the diesel pump takes over.
Periodic testing
Regular no-flow runs confirm automatic starting; diesel fuel and batteries are checked; and an annual flow test compares actual performance with the pump curve. NFPA 20 covers installation and NFPA 25 covers testing and maintenance.
We supply electric, diesel and jockey pumps, fit out complete pump rooms and maintain them.
