FIRE PUMP

Automatic Fire Systems, inc.

Fire Pump

Fire Pump Inspection, Testing And Maintenance

Automatic Fire Systems (AFS) service technicians are trained to perform Inspections, Testing and Maintenance on most all fire pumps including:


Horizontal Split Case

Vertical Split Case

Vertical Inline

Vertical Turbine


Fire pumps are used to ensure an adequate water supply by increasing pressure for fire suppression and, as such, are an integral part of the fire protection system for a facility. Failure of a fire pump to operate under fire conditions could result in a major loss to both property and life. To help ensure the fire or booster pump is working, there needs to be periodic inspection, maintenance and testing of the pump.

Who Can Perform These Tests?

NFPA 25, standard for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems, states that inspection testing and maintenance should be performed by a qualified person who has developed competence through training and experience.

Automatic Fire Systems inspectors have a minimum of 800 hours of classroom coursework and 8,500 hours of on-the-job training prior to performing any inspections. They also maintain all Continuing Education requirements where applicable. 100% of all our Inspectors are NICET II (or equivalent). This ensures they carry the code and system knowledge needed to keep your systems functioning properly.

All our Inspection reports are in digital format, reference the deficiencies based upon NFPA 25 code or guidelines and are filed to the appropriate jurisdictions or 3rd party filing entities.

Annual Fire Pump Flow Testing

The fire pump flow test is required by NFPA 25 to be conducted once a year to measure the pump's flow and pressure. The test should be performed by attaching hoses to the discharge test header. The hoses are run to a safe location where the flow of water will cause no damage. Pressure readings are taken as the pump is run through its various stages. At Automatic Fire Systems, the results are recorded into our Digital Mobil Application "Mobile eyes" and uploaded to the local (AHJ) Authority Having Jurisdiction or municipality for the required filing. If there is any deviations or significant reduction in the pump's performance, our NICET Level II service technicians will document this and make the necessary recommendations for what needs to be corrected.

Monthly Fire Pump Churn (aka No Flow) Test

The 2011 Edition of NFPA 25 requires electric motor driven fire pumps to be operated monthly. The monthly churn test requires electric powered pumps to be tested as follows:


Run pump for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Record the system suction & discharge pressure gauge readings.

Check the pump packing glands for slight discharge.

Adjust glands nuts; if necessary.

Check for unusual noise or vibration.

Check packing boxes, bearings, or pump casing for overheating.

Record the pump starting pressure.

Interpret results


Fire pumps must be tested on a monthly and yearly basis to ensure that the pump will operate as needed to protect the property and people in the event of a fire.

Diesel Fire Pump Test Procedure

Diesel fire pump testing should be performed on a weekly basis. The pump should be run a minimum of 30 minutes. We record the pressure at which the pump automatically started, observe how long it takes the engine to crank and once started how long it takes to reach running speed. We record the pump suction and discharge pressures. Observe the pump to make sure there are no vibrations, unusual noises or overheating around the pump case, bearings or packing box.

Who Can Perform The Inspections And Testing?

NFPA 25, standard for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems, states that inspection testing and maintenance should be performed by a qualified person who has developed competence through training and experience.


Automatic Fire Systems inspectors have a minimum of 800 hours of classroom coursework and 8,500 hours of on-the-job training prior to performing any inspections. They also maintain all Continuing Education requirements where applicable. 100% of all our Inspectors are NICET II (or equivalent). This ensures they carry the code and system knowledge needed to keep your systems functioning properly.

All our Inspection reports are in digital format, reference the deficiencies based upon NFPA 25 code or guidelines and are filed to the appropriate jurisdictions or 3rd party filing entities. For more information, site visits, quotes or 24/7 service, call Automatic Fire Systems for all your electric or diesel driven fire pump inspections, testing, maintenance, and repairs.

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