During fire pump testing, for the churn test, should the system valve (on discharge side of course) be open or closed?
I lean towards it being open, as I would rather know the weak point during a test than during an actual fire event. Here's my pro/con list to keeping the valve open: Pros (keeping valve open)
Cons (keeping it open)
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15 Comments
5/9/2023 08:28:01 am
Isolating the fire pump discharge creates an impairment, which would require verification that the valve is open after testing.
Reply
Glenn Berger
5/9/2023 08:31:33 am
I prefer to keep as many valves in the open position as possible.
Reply
Todd E Wyatt
5/9/2023 08:39:06 am
The scoping Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) determines if a building requires a Fire Pump and which referenced standards (e.g. 2019 NFPA 20) shall apply to the “design, installation and operation” of that “fire protection and life safety system.”
Reply
Todd E Wyatt
5/9/2023 08:39:43 am
REFERENCES
Reply
Dan Wilder
5/9/2023 08:42:48 am
Jockey pump stop pressure should be Pump Churn + Static pressure.
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moises OLMEDA
5/9/2023 11:32:27 am
I agree with Dan
Reply
Franck
5/9/2023 12:29:27 pm
Open.
Reply
Pete H
5/9/2023 02:50:10 pm
Just adding another vote for "open".
Reply
Matthew Bass
5/10/2023 07:32:54 am
in my opinion, those that say it should be closed haven't been in the field enough to know why it SHOULD be open and like many said, Open is right in NFPA 25 and only closed during testing if the PRV is dumping too much water to meet fire pump ratings. Then and only then should you close the discharge valve if closing the PRV down will increase pressures above 175PSI. I've always told customers and techs that leaving the valve open is as it should and show me references to back up your opinion of it being closed. If you can't back it up with standards and references, then you shouldn't be closing it or if you ever had to go to court and explain, that you just used your opinion and not facts. Valve open here all day. And like Chris said, I want things to fail while testing as that is showing issues that need to be fixed. Not during a real event.
Reply
Yes, leave it open.
Reply
Bill Cary
5/10/2023 10:55:45 am
From a property insurance viewpoint, churn testing is an impairment of the water supply unless there is a 2nd fire pump on the system. The catastrophic 1985 Milliken Live Oak Fire in LaGrange GA occurred while fire pumps were impaired for testing.
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Anthony
5/11/2023 07:14:25 am
Great case study reference always good to have an opinion backed up by real world data!
Reply
Jose Garcia
5/11/2023 10:44:00 am
I prefer to inform my client of the pros and cons and let them decide what to do in this case. If a pipe or fitting bursts during the test and I make the decision by myself, my client may hold me responsible for the damages
Reply
Phil Watkins
6/4/2023 03:48:11 pm
Open.
Reply
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