Please note. This website is still in the design stages.

                                                 Before you search websites for additional "Fire Pump Testing" information, please keep in mind.

1.) You may not know the reliability/background information of the source. Call or e-mail the company to verify that this is their website, and information is correct. Ask them the last time it was updated if not noted on their webpage.

2.) Misleading information about servicing a product. May not know the Updated firecodes, or original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) information.

3.) Your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) may not be familiar or comfortable with the information they need to sign-off on. Also, many do not obtain "As Builts" information after systems are installed.

4.) Authority Having Jusrisdiction (AHJ) might use a third party for review and they may not be certified by that state, or the state they are working in.  They also may not be certified in plan review and witnessing acceptance and annual testing.  You also might not know the reliability and the background/and or experience of the source that has been hired.  Per CNA Insurance website (2011), when plans/calculations are submitted to them for review, they return over 50% to the designer due to questions on calculations, design, or might need additional information to clarifiy some issues before installation occurs. 

5.) May be referencing outdated data and never update their website annually like is highly recommended for misleading or outdated information.

6.) May indicate they can provide a service, but do not give any additional information on exact type of service they will provide, or the cost.  May also not do a follow-up on suggestions that they made on the date of the service.        

7.)     May only provide part of a service when other services are needed for 100% compliance on the annual inspections.

8.)     Many insurance companies/agents might use Insurance Service Office (ISO) rates, but do not submit plans for review/comments before protection is installed. Also may not witness acceptance tests.     Before you begin searching various websites for information please note the following:

                                                                                         PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE:

Time is money and the smart use of time can inflate or deflate operational budgets accordingly. In many instances, best practice might be to spend some money to reflect a better bottom line in the long run. One way to accomplish this is to subscribe to a course of preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance will eliminate downtime, keep personnel and plant productive and maintain the operation effectively. 

The fire protection functions required in occupancies can lead to a well planned  preventive maintenance program if done right, and with the right contractors/subcontractors.  With mandated inspections and local jurisdictions involved, it is best for companies to hand over this “unglamorous” — but necessary — service to experienced professionals who can provide and schedule timely inspections so operations are kept within code and equipment remains operational.

Additionally, it has been proven time and again that a proper preventive maintenance plan keeps the equipment functioning at an optimal level, reducing the possibility of mechanical breakdowns such as flooding or having a sprinkler head “pop” and showering your operations  A proper "Preventative Maintenance" plan/ administrator will also obtain and have copies of nessesary reports on file, This will become  necessary to produce this information at a moment’s notice.

Fire alarms present an entirely different set of issues. With the addition of phone line hookups and central station monitoring, alarm systems need to be working properly all the time. Regular inspections of alarm panels will decrease the chances of a trouble signal being sent or, even worse, the alarm being tripped. Three a.m. wakeup calls to store managers can be held to a minimum if the system is looked at, cleaned, tested and certified on a regular basis.

Of course, preventive maintenance will not eliminate service and emergency calls, but in many cases the total cost of fire protection will be reduced; there will be fewer service calls and, as a Preventative Maintained contracted service, the costs will be reduced.  More importantly, though, you will be providing a safe environment for your customers and your employees and that is the best service money can buy.

Cost is one part of the productivity equation; the other is time. Time, in the end, does reflect in costs. A provider of fire protection service(s) can manage the entire fire protection function of your operation, from scheduling, dispatching, monitoring and servicing all areas of fire protection. A one-stop shop approach will "free facility managers" to attend to other areas of maintenance and other operations. A single point of contact makes the customer comfortable with the service provider and the service provider knowledgeable about the customer’s business, which in the end will provide a smooth operation of service.

                                                       Occupational Safety And Health Administration Statement For Fire Service Features Of Buildings And Fire Protection Systems:

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

2002 National Electrical Code 110.16:    Mandates that employees are responsible to label all switchboards, panel boards, industrial control boards, and motor control centers installed after 2002. Equipment installed before 2002 must have labels applied if any modifications or upgrades take place.

After a potential arc flash is identified is should be properly labeled. Arc Flash Labels clearly identify equipment and components for potential arc flash hazards. Arc Flash Labels are important for eliminating confusion and ensuring you have a safe workplace.

The new NEC Standard, Article 110.16 Flash Protection states: “switchboards, panel boards, industrial control boards, and motor control centers shall be field marked to warn of potential arc flash hazards.” Arc Flash labels should be clearly visible to qualified persons before they examine service, adjust or perform maintenance on the equipment.

Dropped tools and accidental contact with electrical systems are common causes of arc flash injuries. Prevent accidents; mark your workplace with Arc flash labels to inform those working in potentially hazardous situations.

From OSHA Website:
 

When employees perform work on energized circuits, as permitted by §1910.333(a)(1), tools and handling equipment that might make contact with exposed energized parts must be insulated in accordance with §1910.335(a)(2)(i). This work practice also reduces the likelihood of employee

Injury injury caused by an arc blast.

Arc-flash hazards are also addressed in §1910.335(a)(1)(v), Safeguards for personnel protection, which requires that personal protective Equipment (PPE) for the eyes and face be worn whenever there is danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from an electrical explosion.  In addition, paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of §1910.335 requires, in pertinent part, the use of protective shields, barriers, or insulating equipment "to protect each employee from shocks, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee is working . . . where dangerous electric heating or arcing might occur" (emphasis added). The §1910.335(a)(2)(ii) safeguard selected — shield, barrier, or insulating material — must fully protect employees from electric shock, the blast, and arc-flash burn hazards associated with the incident energy exposure for the specific task to be performed.

However, in situations where a fully protective safeguard could be used as an alternative, OSHA will, under its policy for de minimis violations, allow employers to use, instead, safeguards that are not fully protective, provided that the employer implement additional measures.The supplemental measures, which could include the use of arc-rated FR clothing appropriate to the specific task, must fully protect the employees from all residual hazardous energy (e.g. the resultant rhermal effectgs from the electric arc ) that passes the initial safeguard.

Where there is no §1910.335(a)(2)(ii) safeguard that would fully protect against the hazards, an employer is still obligated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to take reasonable steps that willprotect the employee to the degree possible. as noted in the previous paragraph, the protection provided by a safeguard that is not fully effective can be augmented through use of other safety measures such as FR clothing and other appropriate PPE.
 

Did You Know: 

It’s the Law.  OSHA 1910.333 (C) Only Qualified persons may work on electric circuit parts or equipment that have not been de-energized.

It’s the Law.  OSHA 1910.332 Employees shall be trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335.

It’s the Law.  OSHA 1910.335 (a)(1)(i) Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.

OSHA 1910 Subpart S - Appendix A

“The following references provide information which can be helpful in understanding and complying with the requirements contained in Subpart S:”

NFPA 70E Standard for the Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces.

The 2011 NFPA 25 Will Raise Confidence In Every Fire Protection Plan.

NFPA 25 plays in a fire protection plan. It's the only source for the latest rules on fire sprinkler systems including foam-water and fixed water spray systems, standpipe and hose systems, fire pumps, fire service piping and appurtenances, and water storage tanks. 

 Major revisions:

• New terms define "critical deficiencies" and "noncritical deficiencies," so maintainers and owners can determine corrective actions and prioritize repairs.

• Updated testing frequencies are based on the growing database of inspection, testing, and maintenance records. Maximize time and efficiency without compromising reliability.

• Other revisions clarify the roles and responsibilities of the building owner and the designated owner's representatives. This helps avoid critical oversights in sprinkler care.

• Use all-new Annex E classifies sprinkler repairs. Real-world examples of sprinkler repairs and their classifications are based on the new terms for critical and noncritical deficiencies.

• The Hazard Evaluation Form in Annex F will help you identify how changes in building occupancy, use or process, or materials used or stored could impact the adequacy of the fire protection systems.

 Be Confident Sprinklers Will Respond When Needed! "Reduce Risk With The 2011 NFPA 25":

The 2011 edition of NFPA 25 now requires testing contractors to provided a combined curve ( fire pump and city supply together). To do this they must plot on a graph the discharge pressure and flows to determine if the fire pump and city water supply can meet the fire protection demands. The cover sheet of the report should indicate not only this, but have a grading indicating the following:

A good rating would be within 5% as required by NFPA # 25 ( NFPA 25, 2011 Edition, Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems) Chapter 8. The “Fair” rating is 5-15%, and “Poor” being outside the 15%.

                                                                                                                                                       Fire Engineering Article

"FIRE PUMPS: THE INVISIBLE FIREFIGHTER"

BY DAVID R. BLOSSOM, ALCM, CFPS, CFI1

The adage “Necessity is the mother of invention” definitely can be applied to the fire pump. It is often taken for granted and is always out of sight, yet it is a critical part of the fixed fire protection for many buildings. A previous article established the fire hydrant as a critical link in the chain of fire protection; the fixed fire or booster pump is another critical component of the water supply system. Once usually found only in large manufacturing complexes or used for high-rise buildings, these types of pumps are now widely used for many applications. They serve only one purpose: to increase water supply pressure within a fixed fire protection system. They cannot create water-they can only boost the pressure of the fire protection water supply to provide sufficient fire flow for fixed fire sprinkler systems and standpipe/hose supply.

“Unless you see detailed reports that reflect periodic pump operation and test results, assume that the pump will fail at anytime. This is important to know if your fire combat operations are dependent on a sprinkler system or a pump supported water supply. Not only can there be extensive property damage or even a loss of life because of the pump’s failure, but you would also have to alter your combat operations to reflect reliance on the fire department water supply only. Treat any deficiency in the pump operation as an impairment of the fire protection system”.

According to a recent Factory Mutual survey, the most common reasons for pump failure included the following:

A manual pump was not activated in response to a fire (40%)

An automatic pump was impaired prior to the fire’s beginning (30%).

The electric power failed (13%)

The water supply was impaired (13%); and

The pump failed during loss (various reasons) (4%).

Document read on-line in March 2011

                                                                                                                                             PUMP ACCEPTANCE AND TESTING

When a pump assembly (pump, driver, and controller) is completed, the manufacturer will conduct a shop test if it is seeking approval from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or FM. This will produce documents relative to the pump’s performance. The documents are delivered to the installing contractor and become part of the installation records. This information is then used as the benchmark for performing the acceptance test after installation and all future tests. It is important to have access to this information when conducting fire prevention inspections and managing a fire situation.

                                                                                                                                      THE FUTURE: FIRE PUMPS AND FIREFIGHTING:

It is highly likely that fire pumps will become more and more common. In significantly developed areas, achieving adequate water pressure in municipal mains can be challenging. As demand for pressure increases, particularly in high-rise buildings, fire pumps will continue to provide the solution. It would be highly advantageous to incorporate training on fixed fire pump operations as part of your combat training program. Most pump manufacturers are enthusiastic about assisting with such programs. You must feel comfortable with these installations. When you first look at them, they appear as a maze of pipes, valves, and controls. Once you understand the basic elements of these installations, you will be able to quickly determine the details of the systems you encounter. But remember, the time to become familiar with fire pumps and their operation is before they are needed to combat a fire.

Bibliography

Fire Protection Handbook, Eighteenth Edition, National Fire Protection Association, 1997.

Understanding the Hazard - Fire Pumps, FM Global, 2000.

■ DAVID R. BLOSSOM, ALCM, CFPS, CFI1, is a certified fire protection specialist, a certified fire inspector, and an associate in loss control management from the Insurance Institute of America. He has an extensive background in the insurance industry as a loss control specialist and consultant in fire protection. He is chairman of the Fire & Life Safety Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals for Orange County, Florida, and past vice chairman for the City of Orlando Fire & Building Code Appeals Board.

Document read on-line in March 2011