Fire Pump Room
Ten practical checks for your fire pump room before handover—layout, controller readiness, jockey pump behavior, valve positions, drainage, ventilation, and the documents inspectors commonly request.
What a fire pump room must achieve
A fire pump room is not just equipment installed in a mechanical space.
Its job is simple and critical: deliver reliable flow and pressure when a fire demand occurs, under real operating conditions.
A pump room should provide:
In many projects, the pump room “looks complete” but fails because key details were missed during installation, settings, or testing preparation.
- Correct pressure and flow for the system demand
- Stable operation (no abnormal vibration, leaks, or overheating)
- Clear controls and alarms for operation and fault conditions
- Safe access for operators and maintenance
- A testing method that can be repeated and documented
In many projects, the pump room “looks complete” but fails because key details were missed during installation, settings, or testing preparation.
Pre-handover checks (10 essentials)
Use these checks before any official acceptance test.
They reduce retests and avoid last-minute surprises.
A) Access and working space
- Clear access around pumps, controllers, valves, gauges
- Space for maintenance and safe movement
B) Controller readiness
- Controller installed correctly and protected from moisture
- Wiring is tidy and secured (no loose connections)
Indicators and alarms function (without unresolved faults)
C) Power supply and backup
- Stable power feed confirmed
- Any backup requirements are tested (where applicable)
Cables and protections are appropriate and secured
D) Jockey pump behavior
- Starts and stops correctly to maintain pressure
No excessive short-cycling (often signals leakage or wrong settings)
E) Suction line integrity
- No visible stress on pipes
- Proper supports and anchors are installed
No leaks at joints, flanges, or valves
F) Discharge line readiness
- Discharge routing is correct and supported
- Gauges installed and readable
- Isolation valves are in correct positions
G) Test header / flow testing preparation
- Test header exists and is accessible
- Safe discharge route is available during testing
-
Team knows where water will discharge and how to control it
H) Drainage and housekeeping
- Floor drain works and is not blocked
- No water pooling near electrical equipment
- Room is clean enough for safe operation and maintenance
I) Ventilation and temperature
- Ventilation is sufficient for operating heat
- Room temperature remains within safe operating range
- No blocked vents or sealed openings that trap heat
J) Valve positions and supervision
- Critical valves are confirmed open/closed as required
- Valve position checks are included in routine rounds
Any supervisory monitoring is verified (where applicable)
The most common failures during testing
Most failed tests come from a few repeat problems:
- Wrong settings (jockey pump, controller logic, pressure thresholds)
- Undetected leaks causing pressure drops and short-cycling
- Blocked drains leading to water accumulation and unsafe operation
- Improper pipe supports causing stress and vibration
- Test header not ready or unsafe discharge arrangement
- Valves in wrong position after maintenance or modifications
- Incomplete documentation leading to inspection delays and retests
A simple monthly pump room routine
A practical routine keeps the pump room ready and prevents surprises.
Monthly routine checklist
- Visual inspection: leaks, vibration signs, unusual noise
- Gauge check: stable normal pressure readings
- Controller status check: no unresolved alarms
- Jockey pump observation: no short cycling
- Valve position check: confirm critical valves are correct
- Drainage check: floor drain and housekeeping
- Record: date, observations, corrective actions (if any)
Documentation and test records you should keep
Good records reduce disputes and speed up inspections.
Keep:
- As-built drawings (updated)
- Pump data sheets and controller details
- Flow test records and results
- Pressure readings during test
- Commissioning checklist and sign-offs
- Maintenance schedule and service logs
- Corrective actions history (what was fixed and when)
Quick final checklist before inspection or handover
Use this before inspection day:
- Pump room clean and safe for access
- Controllers show no alarms/faults
- Jockey pump stable (no short cycling)
- Suction/discharge lines verified (no leaks, proper supports)
- Test header accessible and discharge plan confirmed
- Critical valves verified and recorded
- Drainage working and no water pooling
- Documents ready: as-built + test reports + commissioning checklist
