Tank-to-pump flow rate test, Performance testing equipment and materials – Hale 80FC User Manual
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Pump Ends
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Pr ev en tive M ain te n an ce
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Tank-to-Pump Flow Rate Test
Note: This procedure is provided as a reference only. It does not supersede any
local procedures.
1.
Fill the water tank until it overflows.
2.
Close the tank fill line, bypass the cooling line, and all the pump intakes.
3.
Attach sufficient hose lines and nozzles to pump the desired discharge rate.
4.
With the pump in gear, open the discharge to which the hose is attached
and begin pumping water.
5.
Increase the engine throttle until the maximum consistent pressure is
obtained on the discharge gauge.
6.
Close the discharge valve without changing the throttle setting. Refill the
tank through the top fill opening or a direct tank line. The bypass valve may
be opened during this time to prevent pump overheating.
7.
Reopen the discharge valve, and check the flow through the nozzle using a
Pitot tube or flow meter. Adjust the engine throttle to bring the pressure to
the amount previously determined.
8.
Compare the flow rate measured to the NFPA minimum or the designed rate
of the pump. If the flow rate is lower, a problem exists in the tank-to-pump
line. The minimum flow rate should be continuously discharged until 80% of
the tank is discharged.
9.
The pump should not experience mechanical problems, power loss, or over-
heat during the test.
Performance Testing Equipment and Materials
Pumpers should be tested from draft at not over a 10’ (3 meters) lift with 20’ (6
meters) of suction hose. Pumpers rated at 1,500 GPM and above often require
two separate 20-foot lengths of suction hose and a lower lift height.
Use smooth bore test nozzles of accurate size with the pitot gauge. The vol-
ume pumped is then determined by reference to discharge tables for smooth
nozzles. Preferably, nozzles will be used on a Siamese deluge gun for greatest
accuracy. A stream straightener, just upstream of the nozzle is advisable.
REFER TO LOCAL PROCEDURES FOR PUMP TESTING PROCEDURES
AND PRACTICES AS WELL AS APPLICABLE NFPA STANDARDS.