Fire Pump Packing Drip Rate

The 60 drips per minute is a little more forgiving than the five drips per minute but should still be used as a limit for a maximum drip rate to be allowed.

Fire pump packing drip rate.

Chapter 4 fire pumps 89 program for individual systems suction piping shall be fl ushed at a fl ow rate not less than indicated in table 14 1 1 1 a exhibit 4 1 and table 14 1 1 1 b exhibit 4 2 of nfpa 14 2010 or at. Every 20 minutes tighten the packing gland nuts one flat at a time until the leakage has been reduced to about 60 drops per minute. Too fast of a drip rate can also be bad. Two stage pumps in volume.

Overtightening is the most common cause of packing failure. But as the pump and packing start to set in you can expect a couple years of consistent and reliable service. For most braided pump packing liquid leakage is absolutely necessary to provide lubrication and cooling of the sealing surface and ensure the seal s long life. When adjusting pump packing the goal is to arrive at the lowest acceptable leak rate while maintaining thermal equilibrium.

At the beginning of the pump operation loosen the gland nuts and allow the packing boxes to leak liberally. Break tanks are most commonly used 1 as a means of backflow prevention between the water supply source and the fire pump suction pipe 2 to eliminate fluctuations in the water supply source pressure 3 to provide a stable and relatively constant suction pressure at the fire pump and or 4 to provide water storage to augment a water source that cannot provide the maximum flow rate. This process may require two to three hours. Packing adjustment will be more frequent at first.

The correct drip rate for a packed pump is 10 120 drips per minute at 150 psi discharge pressure. If you have any questions about replacing fire pump packing or would prefer we perform the service for you simply pick up the phone and call us at 302 652 4722.