Weekly inspection of the electrical system and pump

components
Electrical pumps have specific inspection needs; if you have a diesel
pump, the actions specifically related to it in the section after this one
apply. This video provides a good run-through of electrical pump
components and the pump’s basic operation:

From the 2017 Edition of NFPA 25

3) Electrical system conditions are determined as follows:

(a) Controller pilot light (power on) is illuminated.

(b) Transfer switch normal pilot light is illuminated.

A transfer switch enables switching between alternate sources of power,

such as between the municipal grid and a backup generator. It is only
present on electric pumps that have this specific set-up. (c) Isolating
switch is closed — standby (emergency) source.

An isolator switch “is used to ensure that an electrical circuit is

completely de-energized for service or maintenance.” NFPA states that
“isolation switches on each source of power to an electric motor drive
must be closed when the pump is in the operating or standby condition.”

(d) Reverse phase alarm pilot light is off, or normal phase rotation pilot light
is on.

Many pumps have multi-phase electric motors; if the “phase sequence” is

set up incorrectly, the pump can run in the wrong direction. Proper
installation means that this is unlikely to be a problem, so the “reverse
phase alarm pilot light” should be off at all times, while a normal phase
light should be lit.

(e) Oil level in vertical motor sight glass is within acceptable range.

(f) Power to pressure maintenance (jockey) pump is provided.

Make sure the maintenance pump (also known as a jockey pump) has a
working power supply and check the manufacturer’s instructions to verify
the correct oil level. This video illustrates how to shut off a main pump
and then turn it back on after using a jockey pump for maintenance
testing:

NFPA also instructs inspectors to evaluate and record “the general

condition of the electrical components. … Potential problems that can be
discovered include rodent nesting, plugged motor vents, broken parts,
unlocked controller doors, and improperly labeled electrical panel
boards. “If the pump room is equipped with electric heat, the thermostat
should be checked to determine that it is operating in cold weather and
that the temperature is set at normal room temperature. Any electric
controls for ventilation should also be verified that they are fully
operational.”

Weekly inspection of diesel system pump components

A specific set of weekly inspections is needed for a pump with a diesel
engine:

From the 2017 Edition of NFPA 25

(4) Diesel engine system conditions are determined as follows:

(a) Fuel tank is at least two-thirds full.

The two-thirds-full rule is based on a standard calculation of demand
based on the fact that tanks are “designed to hold an 8-hour supply of
fuel for the diesel engine.” This rule could be adjusted in light of actual
demand by your pump. Regardless of whether it is used, all fuel should
be replaced at least yearly.

(b) Controller selector switch is in auto position.

Controller selector switches have auto, off, and manual positions. The

“manual” setting enables manually starting the pump, and the “off”
setting is one way of stopping a diesel engine.

The “auto” mode means that the pump is standing by and ready to
engage when an emergency (activated by a drop in air or water pressure
in the sprinkler system) calls for pressurized water. Auto is where you
want it during an inspection.

(c) Batteries’ (2) voltage readings are within acceptable range.

(d) Batteries’ (2) charging current readings are within acceptable range.

(e) Batteries’ (2) pilot lights are on or battery failure (2) pilot lights are off.

(f) All alarm pilot lights are off.

(g) Engine running time meter is reading.

(h) Oil level in right angle gear drive is within acceptable range.

(i) Crankcase oil level is within acceptable range.

(j) Cooling water level is within acceptable range.

(l) Battery terminals are free from corrosion.

(m) Water-jacket heater is operating.

Water-jacket heaters heat water around an engine to keep it warm so it
starts quickly, uses less fuel, and suffers less wear and tear. A running
time meter enables you to track the life of the engine and perform
maintenance at needed intervals. If you see a lit alarm pilot light, you
know you have a problem. And all “acceptable ranges” for batteries and
oil levels should be gleaned from the manufacturer’s instructions. This
video from FM Global provides a brief run-through of the manual start of
a diesel fire pump:

Weekly inspection of steam system pump components

They’re pretty rare these days, but steam turbine fire pumps are still
around. They work when heated water is converted into high-pressure
steam which rotates “the blades of a turbine to create mechanical or
rotational energy.” NFPA 25 guidance on weekly inspection is pretty
simple:

From the 2017 Edition of NFPA 25

(5) *Steam system conditions: Steam pressure gauge reading is within acceptable
range

What about inspections at longer

intervals than a week?
NFPA 25 outlines a host of inspections that must be done monthly,
quarterly, semiannually, yearly, and biennially. Many of these checks line
up with additional maintenance and testing requirements. Because of
this complexity and the potential for dedicated testing and maintenance,
a life safety professional is typically utilized for these inspections.

Again, NFPA explicitly instructs individuals who are responsible for

inspection, testing, and maintenance of a fire pump to consult the
manufacturer’s specific instructions. But the organization also
provides a useful backup schedule; to see the complete, massive list of
all inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements specified by NFPA,
click on the preview image of the table below:

NFPA 25 offers a complete checklist of 71 different inspection,

maintenance, and testing actions spanning different types of
pumps. Click here or on the image above to see the entire list.
To be continued: What Facility
Managers Need to Inspect on a Fire
Sprinkler System
This concludes part three of QRFS’ series on the inspection of
commercial fire sprinkler systems – but we’re not done yet. In the next
and final installment of this series, we cover the inspection of waterflow
alarms, signage, and other components.

If you need to buy items for a commercial fire sprinkler system, review
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