When to Recommend Replacing a Fire Pump?

10/23/2023

When would you recommend replacing an existing fire pump?

I am working a project where we are renovating a large hotel and the diesel fire pump in the basement is dated 1994. I am aware there is a lifespan but with proper maintenance they can probably operate just fine for a long time.

Is 30 years when you would begin to suggest replacing that piece of equipment?

Should I make the suggestion to the client that it is best to replace and have them make the final call?

Thank you.

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9 Comments

Pete H

10/23/2023 06:45:31 am

30 Years is usually more than enough time to recommend replacing one in terms of the item's "lifespan". The lifespan can vary from type of pump to type of pump (i.e. a vertical inline fire pump has a lifespan of about 7-15 years whereas a horizontal splitcase should last between 25-40.)

Rather than use the age of the pump, is the pump being tested, inspected, and maintained to NFPA 25 standards? Has the hydraulic performance degraded significantly from the initial rating and design?

Anthony

10/23/2023 07:31:55 am

If its working I would not recommend replacing the pump unless there was clear wear and tear on the item. Something like an obvious rattle when its running coming from the pump.

The diesel driver can be maintained like any engine. If its runs make sure the oil is replaced regularly and ride it until it dies.

As part of the building renovation just make sure there is ample room to move the pump out of/into the building when/if it needs to be replaced.

Glenn Berger

10/23/2023 08:08:36 am

If the fire pump passes the inspection and testing protocols, then I would only put a bug in the ear of my client based upon the age of the equipment.

Jesse

10/23/2023 08:23:02 am

If the pump is showing signs of degradation I'd certainly be looking at replacing it

Franck

10/23/2023 10:12:46 am

As long as the fire pump gives acceptable results on the annual flow test curve and has been regularly maintained, there is no need to change it.
Better spend the money elsewhere.

There are 3 possible reasons to change the pump:
- the fire pump is not working properly (diesel engine issue, for example) - then change/maintain the corresponding equipment (maybe only change the engine, but not the pump, for example).
- the fire pump characteristics that are delivered are not sufficient anymore to cover the hydraulic demand of the sprinkler system (this could be related also to new system demands that were not considered when the pump was installed)
- the net corrected curve of the fire pump (when you correct the flow and pressure to the rotational speed of the pump) show a slight degradation trend over the last years (possible issue with the impeller of the pump, for example): then it can be advisable to change the pump before it cannot supply anymore the most demanding sprinkler areas.

But changing the pump just because it is "old" does not really makes sense.
These pumps are only running 20-30 minutes per week and are designed for heavy duty requirements. So with a good maintenance... you can keep them for a very long period.

Casey Milhorn

10/23/2023 11:19:26 am

From a legal perspective, I would say it depends on your role in this project.

If you are a contractor, I would give an add price to replace to the GC (or directly to owner if that is who you are contracted through). Let them decline or accept.

If you are a consultant, I would put something in writing that they may want to consider replacing the pump at this time, due to what sounds like a large renovation on this building. Make it their call as owner.

Some other things to consider: Does the city water supply have enough pressure and flow to provide some type of decent supply at the top floor? enough to activate a head or two? Does the responding fire department have the capacity to provide 100 psi @ 500 gpm at the top of the standpipes even without a working fire pump? Not that any one of these things would make the pumps replacement necessary independently, when you have what we assume is a perfectly fine pump.

But I agree with the others comments about performance, signs of wear, etc.... if I were the owner, and there were no other extenuating circumstances, I would let it ride.

Anthony

10/23/2023 11:53:37 am

I have worked on many "old" fire pumps in New York City Hotels. I have never had to request a replacement but did on several occasions require overhaul, mostly on the driver. If the pump has been churned, tested, and maintained correctly these pumps should last well beyond the manufacturer's life span date.

Dan Wilder

10/24/2023 07:26:38 am

Many excellent options above. From a ITM contractor side:

One more that I don't see is to advise your client of the potential replacement costs vs upcoming maintenance per year. If there are no performance issues or early replacement of parts during standard maintenance and testing, the likely hood of a total replacement is small with continued maintenance. If items there are items that have not been replaced as part of the MFG recommendations schedule in addition to the NFPA 25 check list, providing that look ahead (current year and following year estimates) can be very beneficial for an end user's budget projections and can get those multi-year contracts signed quickly. Let the owner (or his penny people) make that risk assessment based on good ITM info.

Many of the MFG's have something similar to below as to maintenance & replacement that go beyond NFPA 25.

https://www.clarkefire.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/maint-20220406.pdf?sfvrsn=23d3f713_0

Cliff Schulze

10/24/2023 08:31:34 am

One other thing to consider that has not been addressed is the condition of the base. I've seen quite a few fire pump installations where the drip packing has been allowed to fall on to the base which over time corrodes it. A thorough inspection of the pump should be part of your consideration.

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When to Recommend Replacing a Fire Pump?

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