Fire Pump

A fire pump is a part of a fire sprinkler system water supply and powered by electric, diesel or steam. The pump intake is either connected to the public underground water supply piping, or a static water source (e.g., tank, reservoir, lake). The pump provides water flow at a higher pressure to the sprinkler system risers and hose standpipes.

A fire pump is tested and listed for its use specifically for fire service by a third-party testing and listing agency, such as UL or FM Global.Fire pumps function either by an electric motor or a diesel engine, or, occasionally a steam turbine. If the local building code requires power independent of the local electric power grid, a pump using an electric motor may utilize, when connected via a listed transfer switch, the installation of an emergency generator.The fire pump starts when the pressure in the fire sprinkler system drops below a threshold.