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Hi, have you encountered cases where the fire pump is more than 100 ft (30 m) away from the water storage tank (underground)?
I know this isn't ideal. What type of pump or setup do you suggest or recommend in this situation? Thank you. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
9 Comments
Peter H
5/14/2026 06:19:14 am
I don't see why it would be as long as the flow into the pump suction is enough for the pump (and 100 ft of bulk "pump inlet" sized piping should have very little friction loss) and the flow into the pump is constant.
Sidd
5/14/2026 08:09:30 am
Just ensure the hydraulic pressure loss in the suction line from the tank to the pump is following NFPA 20. Not sure, however, it should not be below -3psi.
Glenn Berger
5/14/2026 08:10:16 am
Need to check your NPSH.
Chad
5/14/2026 08:12:04 am
Oh dear, I hope they meant the tank was underground and uphill. That would be good.
Glenn
5/14/2026 03:11:11 pm
Hey Chad
Pete D.
5/14/2026 09:05:28 am
I see some folks kind of nonchalantly saying, "no problem". The response is, it depends. The devil is in the details. If it's a new installation, I'd do a full analysis that included Hazen williams pressure loss across the suction path that includes gravity gradient at the furthest flow point on the factory curve with a 20% margin (not 150% rated). You want to know if the pressure will fall below the vapor pressure of water at the highest expected tank water temperature at that location. The analysis will also include the atm pressure at the elevation where the pump is being installed. As we should all be aware, at low enough pressure water will boil at room temperature. This will resulting in cavitation, destroying the pump.
Dan Wilder
5/14/2026 09:08:13 am
Not sure of tank dimensions, elevation change between, or info on the pump itself but from an UG intake to an above ground pump, there isn't a lot of vertical allowance to keep the suction pressure from exceeding the minimum PSI requirements of -3PSI at 150% of rated flow.
James
5/14/2026 10:29:36 am
Can you use an UG tank, vertical turbine pump inside a pumphouse. Then run your 100' of supply piping back to the "lead-in"?
Jack G
5/14/2026 05:50:33 pm
Centrifugal needs 3.5 feet of head. Vertical would need to review the pump suction curve. I m sure 100 feet is not a good idea, tank would need additional venting. Leave a Reply. |
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