DIY guideBuilding fire safety
Run the fire pump's no-flow churn test
Staff trained on this pump run it with no water flowing out, on the schedule the fire protection company sets, and log its gauges. Its flow test stays with them.
- 20 to 45 min
- 8 steps
- Every step animated
8 steps
Tap a step to watch it again.
Run it only if you've been trained on this pump and have its written steps. If not, the fire protection company runs it.
Call the alarm monitoring company before you start, so the running pump doesn't bring the fire department.
Note both gauges before it starts, and look around the room for leaks or anything in the way.
Start it at its controller, the way its written steps say. No water flows out: it only churns.
While it runs, log both gauges, and watch for leaks, smoke, a hot smell, shaking or a loud knock.
Keep hands and loose clothing clear of the turning shaft.Let it run and stop it the way its written steps say. Never open the controller.
Check the controller shows it's back on automatic, call the monitoring company back, and log the run in the fire log.
It won't start, won't stop, leaks, smokes or shakes: tag it, tell the building manager and call the fire protection company now. The building may need a fire watch.
What you need
- The pump's written steps
- The building's fire log
- The monitoring company's number
Call a pro if
- It won't start or won't stop
- Leaks, smoke, a hot smell, shaking or a knock
- A gauge reads differently from last time
- The yearly flow test: always the fire protection company
Handyman says: Won't start? Call your fire pump company.
Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.
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