If you own a building, a factory or any other facility, you would appreciate the importance of firefighting pumps for the safety of property and lives on your floor. However, having a firefighting pump with a specific flow rate and pressure is important for adequate building protection. VEMC is the leading Kirloskar fire pump dealer, and in this blog, we tell you all you need to know about choosing the right firefighting pump.
What is flow rate and pressure?
Before we begin discussing the importance of matching the flow rate and pressure of your firefighting pump to your demands, let’s understand what the two terms mean.
- Flow rate refers to the volume of the fluid that your pump is capable of moving. It is measured in litres per second (L/S). It thus determines the amount of water that can be sprinkled through your firefighting pump in times of a breakout.
- Pressure on the other hand is the force per unit exerted on the walls of a pipe through which a fluid flows. In the context of a firefighting pump, this indicates how far and forcefully water can be sprayed during a fire emergency.
Factors that determine the choice of firefighting pumps
- Building size: It is common sense that larger buildings will need more powerful firefighting pumps. Likewise taller the building, the more pressure will be required to reach the upper floors. Besides, buildings with complex and irregular layouts will also need pumps which deliver to multiple zones simultaneously without loss of pressure.
- Sprinkler system needs: The type of sprinkler system you’re using will also determine the pump requirements. Different sprinkler systems have different coverage areas or densities. Fire pumps should be able to supply the right flow rate and pressure to meet the demands of these different sprinkler types.
- Number of floors: The more the number of floors in a building, more will be the pressure required from your pump. Besides, if sprinklers are installed in different zones, you will also need a pump with more pressure to make up for losses due to multiple sprinklers.
Work with fire protection professionals
The above information may seem baffling for a layman but can be processed ably by a fire protection professional. They have the required expertise and experience to deal with fire safety issues and can effectively guide you in selecting the right firefighting pump. They’re also acquainted with fire safety laws and local regulations which can add an extra dimension to your pump selection decision. Local fire safety codes are after all meant to ensure that your fire safety pump meets all the legal requirements.
For more on firefighting pumps, feel free to get in touch with VEMC by calling us on 022 43436655 or emailing us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We are the leading Kirloskar fire pump dealer based in Mumbai with over 70 years of rich experience in pumping.