Fire Fighting System

The FBFS line combines a main centrifugal pump, electric or diesel drive, jockey pump, controllers, valves, instrumentation and base-mounted assembly. The project and technical proposal define the scope and interfaces of the package.

The electric configuration uses an electric motor for the main pump. The diesel configuration uses an internal combustion engine. The combined arrangement includes an electric pump and a diesel pump in the same project. Selection depends on hydraulic demand, available power and fire protection design requirements.

The jockey pump maintains network pressure and compensates for small losses. It avoids unnecessary main pump starts but does not replace the pump responsible for fire fighting demand. Selection needs to account for installation conditions.

Use the fire protection project demand, considering the served system, pipe network, suction conditions and pump duty point. An electric or diesel configuration does not have one fixed flow or pressure. Send these requirements to engineering for assembly selection.

No. They are standards for fire pumping assemblies. NFPA 20 addresses stationary pump selection and installation; ABNT NBR 16704 addresses pump assemblies for fire protection. The project should specify applicable requirements. Supply test reports and installation approval are separate documents.

This is defined by the fire protection design. Selection needs to account for the demand and rules applying to the specified systems: ABNT NBR 10897 for sprinklers and ABNT NBR 13714 for hydrants and hose reels, together with local requirements. Tell engineering which networks the system will serve.

Provide the configuration of interest, required flow and pressure, suction conditions, available drive and installation location. Include the specification, layout and required standards if available. You can start the enquiry with the information you have and complete it with the team.

Agree on the assembly drawing, performance curve, test reports and pump, driver and controller manuals in the proposal; FB defines deliverables per project, such as the data sheet, Q×H curve, dimensional drawing, FAT plan and bench test certificate. On the curve, check the envelope: at least 65% of rated pressure at 150% of rated flow and a shutoff of no more than 140% of rated pressure (Hydraulic Institute). For the field acceptance test, the NFPA 20 annex lists shutoff, rated flow and 150% of rated flow as the important test points, with speed and suction and discharge pressures recorded at each point (A.14.2.6.3). State the project, responsible engineer and local authority requirements before supply. Purchasing the assembly does not automatically approve the installation.

Send the current assembly identification and documents, required duty point, connections, available space and power supply conditions. Engineering assesses the new supply against the project and existing interfaces.

Provide project requirements, engine data and installation conditions. Fuel tank, starting system, ventilation and exhaust need to suit the assembly. Under NFPA 20, the tank holds at least 12 hours of engine run time, based on the manufacturer’s published fuel consumption, plus 5% of volume for expansion and 5% for sump (TIA 22-1, 11.4.1.3.1). In São Paulo, IT 22 requires fuel for the set to run at full load for at least twice the duration of the water supply, with a containment basin of one and a half times the tank volume; two battery sets, main and reserve, with a dual charger able to recharge a discharged battery within 24 hours; and a speed controller that holds rated speed within a 10% band (C.3.1.4, C.3.6, C.3.10 and C.3.11). Inspection and maintenance routines should follow equipment manuals and applicable requirements, rather than the configuration name alone.

FB Bombas has manufactured industrial pumps in Brazil since 1944 and has its factory in Cabreúva, São Paulo. Commercial enquiries can cover fire pump systems and their configurations, with documentation and supply scope defined for each project.

The public FBFS reference is an online configuration catalogue. The FBCN manual documents the centrifugal pump; it does not replace the specific driver, controller and supplied assembly documents. Contact the team for documentation corresponding to your project.

NFPA 20 chapter 6 covers overhung impeller centrifugal pumps, end-suction or in-line, and impeller between bearings pumps, with an axial or radial split case. These centrifugal pumps are not used where a static suction lift is required; that case calls for the vertical turbine pumps of chapter 7. In the FBFS, the main pump is from the FBCN series: a spiral casing cast in one piece, a single-suction radial impeller, back-pull-out construction, ANSI B16.1 125 or 250 lb flanges in cast iron, and packing or mechanical seal. The series runs from DN25 to DN300, with flow up to 2,200 m³/h and head up to 135 m (MTEC-03/00 manual, p.1, p.5 and p.7). These are series limits, not simultaneous; the fire duty point comes from the curve selected for the project.

In São Paulo, IT 22 sets the control logic: pressure switches start and stop the jockey pump automatically and only start the main pump (C.1.15.2); once started, the main or booster pump is stopped only manually, at its own panel in the pump room (C.1.6); and the pump reaches full speed in about 30 seconds (C.1.9). For the electric motor, the controller is selected by motor power in CV, starting is magnetic, acceleration does not exceed 10 seconds, and the panel comes with dimensional drawings, layout, wiring diagrams, terminal strip and bill of materials (C.2.17 and C.2.18). For diesel, a panel in the pump room shows pump running and automatic system off (C.3.9). The functions and interfaces of each FBFS panel are defined for the contracted arrangement.