Fire Pump Design

When the municipal water supply cannot deliver the pressure and flow a sprinkler or standpipe system demands, a fire pump bridges the gap. DGA Consulting designs fire pump installations per NFPA 20 for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities, from water supply analysis through acceptance testing support.

Fire pump design diagram: water supply versus system demand on a pressure-versus-flow curve

What’s included

What fire pump design includes

DGA Consulting designs fire pump installations for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. The firm’s engineers handle everything from the initial water supply analysis through pump selection, room layout, and acceptance testing support.

Pump sizing and selection

Rated flow, rated pressure, and driver type (electric or diesel) matched to system demand and the available water supply.

NFPA 20 compliance

Suction and discharge arrangements, relief valves, test headers, and controller requirements designed per NFPA 20.

Fire pump room layout

Equipment arrangement with required clearances, drainage, and ventilation for the pump, driver, and controller.

Jockey pump design

Pressure maintenance pump sizing that keeps the system pressurized without cycling the main fire pump.

Acceptance testing support

Test criteria defined per NFPA 20 with field support through the acceptance test and commissioning.

When it applies

When fire pump design applies

When you need it

  • Tall buildings where elevation head exceeds the available municipal water pressure.
  • Large warehouses and storage facilities with high sprinkler flow demand.
  • Sites served by weak or limited municipal water supplies.
  • Facilities with an existing pump needing a performance and NFPA 20 compliance evaluation.
Diesel fire pump with red piping and controllers in a pump room

Process

The design process

01

Water supply analysis

Flow test data analyzed and system demand calculated to determine the shortfall, if any.

02

Pump selection

Rated capacity and driver type selected for the demand, the supply, and reliability requirements.

03

Design

Room layout, piping arrangement, and controls designed per NFPA 20.

04

Testing

Acceptance test criteria defined and field support provided through commissioning.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Electric or diesel: how is the driver type decided?

The reliability of the site power supply, local code requirements, and the owner’s preference all factor in. The firm lays out the tradeoffs for the specific facility.

Can the firm evaluate an existing fire pump?

Yes. The firm assesses existing installations for NFPA 20 compliance, performance issues, and remaining service life.

Does DGA Consulting witness acceptance tests?

The firm defines pass criteria per NFPA 20 and reviews test results, and field witnessing can be arranged.

Which states are you licensed in?

The firm’s engineers are licensed fire protection engineers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

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For fire pump design services, contact DGA Consulting. The firm responds within one business day.