Fire pump testing requirements: weekly, monthly, and annual
Updated · General information, not legal advice
Taller buildings and sites with weak water supply often depend on a fire pump. NFPA 25 Chapter 8 sets how often the pump must run and when it must be flow tested; NFPA 20 governs the installation.
No-flow (churn) tests
Diesel engine-driven fire pumps must be run without flow weekly, typically for at least 30 minutes. Electric motor-driven pumps generally run monthly, typically for at least 10 minutes, though NFPA 25 still requires weekly runs for certain pumps, such as those serving high-rise buildings beyond the fire department's pumping capability or with limited-service controllers. Your contractor or building engineer should record suction and discharge pressure, packing gland drip, and any unusual noise or vibration.
Annual flow test
Once a year the pump is tested at no flow, rated flow, and peak (150 percent) flow, and the results are compared with the factory curve and the original acceptance test. A significant drop in performance points to a supply, impeller, or driver problem. The test also exercises the controller, alarms, and, for diesel pumps, the engine under load.
What owners should check
- Weekly or monthly run logs are complete and signed.
- The annual report includes a plotted curve against the original acceptance data.
- Diesel fuel level, batteries, and pump room temperature are part of routine inspection.
- Any impairment while the pump is out of service follows your impairment procedure.
Find contractors near you
Sources
- NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (NFPA)
- NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection (NFPA)
NFPA standards are available to read free online from NFPA. Requirements depend on the edition your jurisdiction adopts; confirm with your authority having jurisdiction.