Business Category: Maintenance / Industrial Category: Property & Facilities Management

Fire Pump Inspection Report

Fire pumps are essential components of any fire protection system, requiring regular inspections to ensure they are fully operational when needed. This Fire Pump Inspection Report is organized into two main sections: the owner's section and the inspector's section. The owner's section collects information about the fire pump's usage history, while the inspector's section is divided into three parts: system tests, test results, and fire pump maintenance. The inspection is validated upon completion of both the owner's and inspector's review. Reports can be generated on-site and shared electronically via mobile devices, tablets, or iPads.

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Fire Pump Inspection Report
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How to Use This Checklist

  • The owner's section collects information about the fire pump's usage history, such as whether the pump is in active service, whether it has remained continuously in service since the last inspection, and whether the fire protection system has been free from any actuation of devices or alarms.
  • The inspector's section is divided into three parts:
  • Fire pump system inspection: Check the pump house or room temperature (at least 70°F for diesel systems without engine heaters, or 40°F for all other systems), ventilating louvers, suction/discharge/bypass valves, piping for leaks, pressure gauges, suction reservoir level, controller power and transfer switch, reverse phase alarm or normal phase rotation, oil level in vertical motor sight glass, fuel tank level (at least two-thirds full), controller selector switch in Auto position, battery voltage and charger readings, battery indicators, alarm indicators, engine running time meter reading, oil levels in right-angle gear drive and crankcase, cooling water level, electrolyte level in batteries, battery terminals for corrosion, water-jacket heater, steam pressure gauge for steam-driven pumps, circulation relief valve, and pressure relief valves.
  • Tests: Conduct weekly test items and annual flow tests:
  • Weekly test: Start the pump automatically, record starting pressure, run for at least 10 minutes, record suction and discharge pressure while running, check pump packing gland, unusual noises or vibrations, overheating, record time for motor to accelerate to full speed, time controller is on the first step for reduced voltage starting, and time pump runs after starting for automatic stop controllers. For diesel drivers, run for at least 30 minutes, record cranking time and time to reach running speed, check engine oil pressure, speed indicator, and water/oil temperature indicators, and cooling water flow from heat exchanger.
  • Annual flow tests: Verify pump performance under flow conditions.
  • Maintenance: Review and perform necessary fire pump maintenance tasks.

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What a fire pump inspection covers

A fire pump is a critical part of a fire protection system. It must operate reliably when needed, so regular inspections are essential. This fire pump inspection report is organised into two main sections: the owner's section and the inspector's section. The owner's section collects information about the fire pump's usage history, including whether the pump is currently in active service, whether it has remained continuously in service since the last scheduled inspection, and whether the fire protection system has been free from any actuation of devices or alarms since the last inspection. The inspector's section is divided into three parts: system tests, test results, and fire pump maintenance. The inspection is validated upon completion of both the owner's and inspector's review. Reports can be generated on-site and shared electronically via mobile devices, tablets, or iPads. A good fire pump inspection covers the full scope of the pump's installation, operation, and maintenance. It includes checks on the pump house or room environment, the condition of piping and valves, the electrical components and controls, the fuel and battery systems, and the performance of the pump under test conditions. The inspection also records test results such as pressures, times, and running conditions, and identifies any maintenance needs.

Why fire pump inspections matter

Fire pumps are essential components of any fire protection system. They require regular inspections to ensure they are fully operational when needed. A pump that fails to start or deliver adequate pressure during a fire can have serious consequences. Regular inspections help you identify potential problems before they lead to failure, verify that the pump and its associated equipment are in proper working order, and document the condition of the system over time. This fire pump inspection report provides a structured way to carry out these checks and record the results.

What you need to do before you start

Before you begin the inspection, review the owner's section of the checklist and gather the information about the fire pump's usage history. You will need to know if the pump is currently in active service, if it has remained continuously in service since the last inspection, and if the fire protection system has been free from any actuation of devices or alarms since the last inspection. Also determine how this inspection is classified: Annual, Quarterly, Preliminary, or Other. Record the date, who prepared the report, and the location.

System inspection

The system inspection part of the inspector's section covers the physical condition of the fire pump and its surroundings. You will check the pump house or room temperature, ensuring it is at least 70°F for diesel systems without engine heaters, or 40°F for all other systems. You will verify that ventilating louvers are free to operate without obstruction, that suction, discharge, and bypass valves are fully open, that all piping is free from visible leaks, and that suction and system pressure gauges are reading within normal operating parameters. If a suction reservoir is provided, check that it is filled to the proper level. For the controller, confirm that it indicates power on, the transfer switch shows a normal condition, and the isolation switch is closed. Check that the reverse phase alarm indicator is off or the normal phase rotation indicator is on. For vertical motors, check the oil level in the sight glass. For diesel systems, check that the fuel tank is at least two-thirds full, the controller selector switch is in the Auto position, battery voltage and charger readings are within the normal range, battery indicators are on or failure indicators are off, and all alarm indicators are off. Record the current engine running time meter reading and verify it is appropriately higher than the previous recorded reading. Check the oil level in the right-angle gear drive, the crankcase oil level, the cooling water level, the electrolyte level in batteries, battery terminals for corrosion, and that the water-jacket heater is operating correctly. For steam-driven pumps, check the steam pressure gauge reading. Verify that the circulation relief valve is flowing water while the pump churns, and that pressure relief valves are operating with proper downstream pressure while the pump is operational.

Tests and test results

The tests and test results parts of the checklist guide you through the operational testing of the fire pump. You will conduct weekly test items and annual flow tests. For the weekly test, you will check that the pump starts automatically, record the starting pressure in PSI, confirm the pump runs for at least 10 minutes, record suction and discharge pressure while running in PSI, check that the pump packing gland is showing slight discharge, that the pump is free from unusual noises or vibrations, and that packing boxes, bearings, and pump casing are free from overheating. For electric drivers, record the time for the motor to accelerate to full speed, the time the controller is on the first step for reduced voltage or reduced current starting, and the time the pump runs after starting for automatic stop controllers. Confirm that all times and pressures recorded in Part A (Electric Driver) are acceptable. For diesel drivers, confirm the pump starts automatically, record the starting pressure in PSI, confirm the pump runs for at least 30 minutes, record suction and discharge pressure while running in PSI, check the packing gland, noises or vibrations, and overheating. Record the time for the engine to crank and the time for the engine to reach running speed. Check that the engine oil pressure gauge, speed indicator, and water and oil temperature indicators are all reading within normal parameters, and that cooling water is flowing from the heat exchanger. Confirm that all times and pressures recorded in Part B (Diesel Driver) are acceptable.

Maintenance

The maintenance part of the inspector's section covers fire pump maintenance tasks. Based on the results of the system inspection and tests, you will identify and carry out any necessary maintenance to keep the fire pump in proper working order. This may include addressing any deficiencies found during the inspection, such as adjusting valves, refilling fuel or oil, cleaning battery terminals, or repairing leaks. Regular maintenance helps ensure the pump remains reliable and ready for service.

How to carry out the inspection

To carry out the inspection, follow these steps in order: 1. Complete the owner's section to gather usage history and classify the inspection. 2. Perform the system inspection checks, recording your observations. 3. Conduct the weekly test items and annual flow tests as applicable. 4. Record test results, including pressures and times. 5. Review the results and carry out any required maintenance. 6. Validate the inspection upon completion of both the owner's and inspector's review. The checklist provides a structured format for recording your findings and can be used on mobile devices, tablets, or iPads to generate reports on-site and share them electronically.

Frequently Asked Questions

The owner's section collects the usage history of the fire pump, including whether it is currently in active service, whether it has remained continuously in service since the last inspection, and whether the fire protection system has been free from any actuation of devices or alarms. The inspector's section covers system tests, test results, and maintenance. The inspection is validated once both the owner's and inspector's reviews are complete.

The checklist uses a Yes, No, or N/A answer scale for inspection items, and classifies the inspection as Annual, Quarterly, Preliminary, or Other.

The pump house or room must be kept at a minimum of 70°F for diesel systems without engine heaters, or 40°F for all other systems.

Check the fuel tank is at least two-thirds full, the controller selector switch is in Auto, battery voltage and charger readings are normal, battery indicators are on or failure indicators are off, and all alarm indicators are off. Also record the engine running time meter reading and confirm it is higher than the previous reading, and check the oil, cooling water, and electrolyte levels for the right-angle gear drive, crankcase, cooling water, and batteries, as well as battery terminal corrosion and water-jacket heater operation.

The pump must start automatically, run for at least 10 minutes, and for diesel drivers, run for at least 30 minutes. Record starting pressure in PSI, suction and discharge pressures while running in PSI, and times for the motor to accelerate to full speed for electric drivers, or the engine to crank and reach running speed for diesel drivers. Check the packing gland shows slight discharge, the pump is free from unusual noises or vibrations, and packing boxes, bearings, and pump casing are free from overheating.

The checklist includes items specific to electric and diesel drivers. For electric drivers, record the time for the motor to accelerate to full speed, the time the controller is on the first step for reduced voltage or reduced current starting, and the time the pump runs after starting for automatic stop controllers. For diesel drivers, record the time for the engine to crank and the time to reach running speed, and check that the engine oil pressure gauge, speed indicator, and water and oil temperature indicators are all reading within normal parameters, and that cooling water is flowing from the heat exchanger.

For steam-driven pumps, check the steam pressure gauge is reading normal. For all pumps, verify the circulation relief valve flows water while the pump churns and that pressure relief valves operate with proper downstream pressure while the pump is operational.

During the no-flow churn test, confirm the pump started automatically, record the starting pressure in PSI, and check the packing gland, unusual noises or vibrations, and overheating.
Arne Reis
Written by
Arne Reis
Founder

Process optimizer with 25 years of expertise, focused on operational excellence in quality, maintenance, EHS, and commissioning. Emphasizes innovative solutions and top-quality standards.

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