Fire pump
Encyclopedia : F : FI : FIR : Fire pump
A fire pump is usually a part of a large building fire sprinkler system and is connected to the municipal water system at the intake and to the buildings sprinkler system risers at the discharge. It is usually powered by electricity and may require the installation of an emergency generator. The fire pump becomes active when the sprinkler system activates. The sprinkler system becomes active when one or more sprinkler heads are exposed to heat above their design temperature. The sprinkler head releases and water discharges. The discharge of water triggers a water flow alarm inside the sprinkler system pipes. The water flow alarm signals to the fire pump to power up and start. The fire pump provides additional water pressure to the activated sprinkler head(s). Fire pumps are especially useful in high-rise buildings.
In order to maintain adequate water pressure inside the sprinkler system the main fire pump has an additional jockey pump. The jockey pump becomes active when the water pressure inside the fire sprinkler system dips below a threshold.
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