Separate Fire Pump & PRV Tests for Acceptance?

6/19/2025

On a fire pump system that has a large PRV on it, should there be a test of just the fire pump, as in the fire pump annual test, and also separately a test with the pump through the PRV?

This would ensure that the reduced-pressure standpipe/ sprinklers work ( system acceptance ).

Are these required to be separate tests, or can they be combined?

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3 Comments

Dan Wilder

6/19/2025 09:20:03 am

In short, ITM activities should be separate. System Acceptance Testing falls outside of NFPA 25 into the applicable NFPA so that too would be a separate test.

These are two different areas of NFPA 25 and possibly a third depending on what the "PRV" stands for in your question. In most cases, they should be separate tests as they are testing different working points of the system. Yes, you need the fire pump to perform a flow test through a PRV², but the GPM requirements for the fire pump will not be the same points as what is required for the PRV² and you can cause damage trying to push more through components than they are listed/approved/rated for. The pump is also hitting points that the other valves will not.

Chapter 8 is for fire pumps, 8.1.1.2 has the component and frequency like annually for a flow test on the pump (unless there is a flow meter, then it can be up to 3 years 8.3.3.9).

Now if PRV¹ means "Main" Pressure Relief Valve, that falls into 13.5.6. That test is at churn.

If PRV² means "Master" Pressure Regulating/Reducing Valve (assuming main not system or hose valves), that falls solely into 13.5.4 , if it is a "Reducing" it may fall into 13.5.5.

If this is about pressure reducing hose connections (13.5.2) or sprinkler control valves (13.5.1) those are different schedules (5 year) and at much lower GPM requirements (250 for the hose, system demand for the sprinkler).

Jack G

6/19/2025 10:22:50 am

No, the PRV should not be tested during the flow of a fire pump test ( thru it ) ( fp test manifold after the prv) as the flow characteristics for the pump may hit pressures and flows that would damage the prv.
Instead the test should be evaluated at fire pump churn ( no flow) for reduction of pressure in “ non flow “ conditions and again during a 2 inch main drain test at the closest alarm check or 2 inch drain at a riser manifold. This way the “ system design “ can be evaluated. If a separate test header ( for the prv) is required it should have no larger than a 2 inch discharge in my opinion. ( or if there is not a 2 inch main drain on the system — or add a main drain in the pump room for simplicity. ):

Glenn Berger

6/19/2025 10:24:23 am

Since the question used the word "should" - My response to that will be YES.

By being able to test individual devices allows for better diagnosis of any issues that may arise from the results of the overall testing activities.

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Separate Fire Pump & PRV Tests for Acceptance?

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