Fire Pump Checklists

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Install, operate and maintain the fire pump and engine in accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The performance of a fire pump system relies on the design and performance of three elements. Is the fire pump, supply pipe and discharge pipe all operating correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the the size of the supply pipe to the size of the pump’s inlet? i.e. use a 1.5 inch<br>diameter pipe for a 1.5 inch pump, or a 2 inch diameter pipe for a 2 inch pump.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

Suction pipe pump systems

• The integrity of the suction supply pipe and priming of the pump are critical
  elements of a fire pump system.
  If a non metallic suction supply pipe is subjected to radiant heat it will be
  damaged, the pump will not deliver water, it will likely lose prime, run dry and fail.
  This is a potential problem when drawing water from a water source where the
  water level can drop e.g. a dam or swimming pool due to normal use or
  evaporation during the summer.

• Have you checked all joints of a suction supply pipe are sealed and air tight? Note*<br>even a small air leak on the suction supply pipe will result in a very significant loss<br>of pump performance.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What is the angle of the supply pipe from the water source? Note* the pump should slope up evenly to enable pump priming to be achieved by allowing any trapped air to escape quickly through the pump.

• Where is the water sourced from?

  Select River Dam Other

  • River
  • Dam
  • Other

• Is there an intake screen present and protecting the pump?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Priming

• Is the water source above the level of the pump?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Simply open the supply valve.
  If the pump needs to ‘suck up’ water from a lower level (say a dam that is partly
  full) or an in-ground swimming pool, the pump case and the suction supply pipe
  must to be completely filled i.e. primed.

• If the pump needs to ‘suck up’ water from a lower level (say a dam that is partly
  full) or an in-ground swimming pool, the pump case and the suction supply pipe
  must to be completely filled i.e. primed.
  This can be achieved by providing a non-return valve (called a foot valve) at the
  suction supply pipe inlet. Refer Images 4a and 4b

• 4b

• Setting up connections so a suction supply pipe and the fire pump’s case are
  completely filled with water is very important.

• Is the suction pipe long?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the suction pipe is long it may also be necessary to provide a separate
  connection to flood the suction supply pipe to enable the pump to prime. Refer
  Image 3
  It is important to test these measures before the bushfire season to prevent
  problems being found if a pump start is attempted during a bushfire event.

Pump fuel tank capacity

• Pumps fitted with a small fuel tank (about 3.3 litre) will likely run out of fuel before
  they run out of water.
  Having a container of fuel located too close to a pump adds to the risk. Refilling a
  pump’s fuel tank during a fire event can be particularly hazardous. The engine
  must be cool before the fuel is transferred.
  In a real fire event the pump may need to run continuously for up to 6 hours or
  more.
  

• How much fuel does your pump consume?

• How much water is in your pump?

• How much fuel is in your pump?

• Yes

  No

  N/A

Fuel

• Note*
  Use a pouring spout to avoid spillage.
  Protect fuel from radiant heat e.g. in a hole in the ground with concrete slab cover.
  Petrol has an effective life of about 6 months.
  Diesel has an effective life of about 12 months.

• What size is litres can is your fuel stored in?

• 20 litres is the max recommended size for fuel cans

• Is your can ember proof?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• In metres how far away is your can to your pump?

• 10 metres is the max recommended distance from your pump