A marine fire fighting pump is a must-have on every ship. Ships, with all their heavy machinery and flammable fuels, are extremely prone to fire. The major ship fires that make the news every year are often caused by a fire that starts in one place and then spreads quickly across the vessel. The best way to protect your ship and everyone onboard from this terrible hazard is with a marine fire pump that can rapidly disperse water from a remote location.
The fire fighting pump is a portable unit that contains a gas or diesel engine that powers a high-pressure water pump. The pumps are generally made of aluminum alloy, which makes them light and durable. They are easy to carry, and most have strong carrying handles on the top. They can also be easily stowed in the equipment lockers on board a ship.
A fire fighting pump typically has a maximum PSI and GPM rating. PSI is the pressure that the pump can reach and GPM is how much water it can push per hour. Fire fighting is a job that requires a lot of power and speed, so the higher the max pressure is, the better.
In terms of GPM, you want to make sure that the size of the pump matches the hoses and nozzles you will be using with it. Most pumps will provide a GPM number that reflects how much water it can move per hour, and the size of the hose will impact how much water the pump can move at the proper pressure.
The other thing to keep in mind is that fire fighting pumps are a bit more specialized than ordinary water pumps. They must be able to work in contaminated water, which is why they are usually centrifugal and have a more robust construction than ordinary water pumps. They also need to be able to handle higher pressures, and they must be able to operate in a confined space, which is why you may find some firefighting pumps to have special nozzles and other features.
Since fire fighting pumps are only used in emergencies, they need to be kept in good working condition to make sure that they will be ready when needed. The maintenance required for this type of pump is less extensive than with regular water pumps, since they don’t require as many moving parts, but it is still essential. It is important to perform routine checks on a daily, weekly, monthly, and semi-annual basis to make sure the fire fighting pump will be in working condition when the time comes to use it.
These maintenance checks should include a visual inspection, as well as checking the temperature of the motor that is driving the pump. You will also want to regularly inspect the coupling and bearings, as well as lubricate them if necessary. You will also need to take a power reading from the pump, which can help you to spot problems when they first arise. portable fire fighting pump