Revision No.: 3 Page 1 of 6 I. PURPOSE This procedure establishes guidelines for the weekly or monthly inspection and testing of all fire pumps within the University of Rochester by representatives of the University Fire Marshal s Office. This procedure is based on NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, Chapter Eight. The purpose of inspection and testing shall be to verify the pump starts upon loss of pressure and the pump assembly is in operating condition and is free from physical damage. Any deficiency found will require immediate correction with the appropriate personnel working with Facility Operations to achieve said corrections. Fire pumps at buildings occupied by university employees, but are not owned by the university will be tested by the building owner or landlord and will not be the responsibility of EH&S. II. PERSONNEL AFFECTED Fire Safety Inspectors from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Fire Marshal s Office. Facilities and Services III. DEFINITIONS FSI NFPA Fire Safety Inspector National Fire Protection Association IV. RESPONSIBILITIES The FSI is responsible for the weekly or monthly inspection and testing of all fire pumps in buildings within their area of responsibility. Upon identification of any deficiencies, it is the responsibility of the FSI to issue work orders and work with the appropriate personnel to see that repairs and or replacements are made to all deficient materials. Facilities will be responsible for maintaining the fire pump at the recommended PM frequencies of the pump manufacturer. V. PROCEDURES 1. FSI shall contact University Communications Center (Public Safety) and advise them that they will be performing the weekly or monthly fire pump test and will be bypassing the associated fire alarm system(s) and they may receive trouble signals.
Revision No.: 3 Page 2 of 6 2. Every 7 days for vertical electrical pumps and every 30 days for horizontal electric pumps shall be run a minimum of 10 minutes and every 7 days the diesel pumps shall be run a minimum of 30 minutes. 3. The weekly/monthly fire pump testing will consist of a visual inspection before running the pump and observations while the pump is running. Where applicable, information shall be recorded on the Fire Pump Weekly Run Test Report. See Appendix I (electric) or Appendix II (diesel). 4. The weekly fire pump test shall be done without flowing water (churn) with all valves in their normal position. 5. Turn the jockey pump off. 6. This test shall be conducted by starting the pump automatically. To do this, open the drain cock located near the pump controller. Record the pump starting pressure. 7. Electric Pumps Observe the time for motor to accelerate to full speed and record the time controller is first step (for reduced voltage or reduced current starting). Diesel Pumps - Observe the time for engine to crank, time for the engine to reach running speed, periodically observe oil pressure gauge, speed indicator (if applicable), water and oil temperature indicators and record any abnormalities. 8. Check the pump packing glands to verify that a slight discharge of water is visible. Have facilities adjust gland nuts if necessary. 9. Observe water flow from the circulating relief valve. Adequate flow assures pump casing will not overheat. Diesel pump - observe flow from heat exchanger. 10. Check for excessive vibration, unusual noise, or other signs of malfunction. Discontinue the test if malfunctions are observed and call facilities customer service center x3-4567 immediately for a safety work order to have repairs made immediately. If all appears normal continue with the test. 11. Record the system suction and discharge pressures. Record other system data as listed on the appropriate checklist. 12. Periodically verify that the pump and driver are not overheating during the test. 13. Shut down the pump manually. If the fire pump is equipped with a run timer let the run timer expire and record the time on the appropriate checklist. 14. Turn the jockey pump back on. Restore the fire pump controller to the automatic start position. 15. Notify Public Safety that the test is complete and that the alarm system should be put back to normal service. 16. Once test data is recorded, compare it to previous tests to determine if the pump is operating satisfactorily. Significant differences in operation should be analyzed as to the cause. Corrective actions should be completed as soon as possible and the pump retested.
Revision No.: 3 Page 3 of 6 VI. REFERENCES NFPA 25 standard for Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. VII. APPENDICES/FORMS I. Electric Fire Pump Weekly/Monthly Test Sheet Blank Form II. Diesel Fire Pump Weekly Test Sheet Blank Form VIII. REVISION HISTORY Date Revision No. Description 4/24/09 New Establish policy/procedure for weekly inspection and testing of fire pumps. 3/19/10 1 Expanded policy to be more descriptive and added diesel requirements 3/15/13 2 Clarified steps in procedure and added new weekly diesel fire pump test sheet 4/10/14 3 Clarified steps in procedure and enhanced Appendix I and II to identify additional inspection points 1/3/18 4 Differentiate between vertical and horizontal pump testing frequencies per IFC2015.
Revision No.: 3 Page 4 of 6 Appendix I ELECTRIC FIRE PUMP LY/MONTHLY TEST Pump Location/Type: Pump Service: 1 2 3 4 5 1. Valves open (Suction, Discharge, & By-pass) 2. Pump Start- MANUAL (on switch) 3. Pump start- AUTOMATIC (pressure drop) 4. Pump Stop- MANUAL (off switch) 5. Pump Stop- AUTOMATIC (timed stop if set) 6. Time controller is on first step (reduced voltage or reduced current starting) 7. Pump Start pressure 8. Suction Pressure 9. Discharge Pressure 10. Start Time 11. End Time 12. Pump run for at least 10 minutes 13. Pump packing showing slight discharge 14. Pump free from unusual vibration 15. Packings, bearings, casings not overheating 16. Circulating relief valve working
Revision No.: 3 Page 5 of 6 17. Controller pilot light (power on) is illuminated 18. Transfer switch normal pilot light is illuminated 19. Isolation switch is closed (Standby emergency source) 20. Phase reversal pilot light if off or normal phase rotation pilot light is on 21. Facilities notified for deficiencies 22. Alarm received at fire alarm panel 23. Alarm received at Security 24. Test Acceptable COMMENTS: DATE INSPECTOR Appendix II DIESEL FIRE PUMP LY TEST Pump Location: Pump Service: 1 2 3 4 5 1. Pump room heat is adequate (>40 o F) and ventilation louvers are free to operate 2. Fuel tank is 2/3 full 1. Oil Level Checked 2. Valves open (Suction, Discharge, & By-pass) 3. Pump Start- MANUAL (on switch) 4. Pump start- AUTOMATIC (pressure drop) 5. Pump Stop- MANUAL (off switch) 6. Pump Stop- AUTOMATIC (timed stop if set) 7. Pump Start pressure 8. Suction Pressure 9. Discharge Pressure
Revision No.: 3 Page 6 of 6 10. Start Time 11. End Time 12. Pump run for at least 30 minutes 13. Pump packing showing slight discharge 14. Pump free from unusual vibration 15. Packings, bearings, casings not overheating 16. Heat Exchanger Cooling Water Discharge OK 17. Engine Speed Adequate 18. Engine Oil Pressure in Normal Range 19. Engine Water Temperature in Normal Range 20. Charging Rate in Normal Range 21. Battery Terminals Corrosion Free 2x. Battery electrolyte level is normal Controller power pilot light on illuminated Transfer switch normal pilot light illuminated Isolation switch is closed (Standby emergency source) Phase reversal pilot light if off or normal phase rotation pilot light is on 22. Facilities notified for deficiencies 23. Alarm received at fire alarm panel 24. Alarm received at Security 25. Test Acceptable DATE INSPECTOR COMMENTS: