Fire Pump Test Header on System Side of Valves?

10/21/2019

Is it acceptable to place the connection for the fire pump test header on the 'system' side of the isolation valve?

I've seen instances of this and it concerns me that there is a potential to render the FDC ineffective during pump testing; not to mention the possible corruption of pump test data due to the influence of the 'stored' water and pressure in the existing sprinkler system.

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2 Comments

Cliff link

10/23/2019 12:15:47 pm

The point of the test header being on the pump side of the isolation valve is to be able to isolate the fire pump during testing. If the test header is on the system side of the isolation valve, testing of the pump will result in over-pressurizing the system.

Franck Orset

10/30/2019 10:51:01 am

Normally the system should not be overpressurized if you have a Jockey pump (or pressure tank) maintaining the pressure in you system close to the churn pressure of the pump (as recommended by NFPA, to limit water hammer).
But it is true that many facilities are used to shut down the downstream valve to avoid possible water hammer effect when making the testing of the fire pump. Especially with old installation (old pipes, where a water hammer could have a disastrous effect).
When I was working in the Insurance industry and w<e were making fire pump tests, we required not to shut the valve. For reliability issues (in case a fire would start during the test or in case somebody forgot to reopen the valve after the test).

Another good reason to have it on the pump side is to enable to make modification, repairs on the test header connection (same with a test line with a flowmeter) by isolating around the pump and thus limiting the amount of water to drain out. In addition, if you have 2 pumps, your entire system is not impaired (only one pump out of service for works on the test header) as you will not drain out the main fire water distribution system

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Fire Pump Test Header on System Side of Valves?

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