When seconds count, a fire fighting water pump has to be reliable. That’s why many fire safety professionals choose PAH pumps from Danfoss. These high-pressure pumps are ideal for fire mist and foam systems, and meet the fire protection needs of tunnels, railway stations, ships, historical monuments and other facilities. They also work with a wide range of valves and nozzles to form comprehensive systems for protection of people and assets.
The basic requirements for a fire pump are set out in NFPA 20. They must be inspected on an annual basis, and a certificate of approval must be provided to the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction. Depending on the system and facility, there might be several different types of fire pumps:
Choosing a pump for a specific application should start with understanding how the system is intended to be used. What are the total fire flow rates expected, including hoses and nozzles? How much pressure is required to reach the fire floor, and will a single-stage pump be sufficient, or does the department need two-stage pumps?
It’s important to note that a fire pump’s maximum pump discharge pressure is not as relevant as the extinguishing agent flow (gallons per minute) it can deliver. The highest discharge pressure a fire pump can achieve is limited by the system itself and how it is configured, and most departments’ fire suppression system design goals only require them to deliver 500 gpm at the fire floor.