HALE AP, Operation And Maintenance Manual

Page: 25 / 70

Preventive Maintenance
Booster Pumps
Sec III- 5
4. With the pump in gear, open the discharge to
which the hose is attached and begin flowing
water.
5. Increase the engine throttle until the maxi-
mum 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
flowmeter. 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.
The pump should experience no mechanical
problems, powerloss, or overheat during the
test.
Performance Testing Overview
The yearly standard performance test consists
of checking the pump (according to the rating) at
three capacities and comparing the results to
when the pump first placed in service. This
provides some measure of any performance
deterioration. Table 3-1
A pump must be able to pump full capacity at
150 PSI, 70% capacity at 200 PSI and 50%
capacity at 250 PSI.
Performance Testing Equipment and
Materials
Testing is appropriately accomplished with a
dead weight gauge tester, which is usually
available at the local water works.
To accurately test pumper performance,
requires a Pitot gauge, a calibrated pressure
gauge, and a vacuum gauge or manometer.
Use smooth bore test nozzles of accurate size
with the Pitot gauge. The volume pumped is
then determined by referring to the 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.
Example PUMP RATING GPM (LPM)
CAPACITY PRESSURE
PSI (BAR)
250
(946)
350
(1325)
450
(1703)
500
(1893)
750
(2839)
1000
(3785)
FULL 150 (10) 250
(946)
350
(1325)
450
(1703)
500
(1893)
750
(2839)
1000
(3785)
70% 200 (13) 175
(662)
245
(927)
315
(1192)
350
(1325)
525
(1987)
700
(2650)
50% 250 (17) 125
(473)
175
(662)
225
(852)
250
(946)
375
(1419)
500
(1893)
Table 3-1