How good are vertical in line fire pumps

[chaz12]

We have some feedback on a building where we specified a vertical in line fire pump, to the effect that a horizontal split case pump is a 'better' pump. The two points mentioned were difficult maintenance and corrosion problems on the vertical in line.

Any opinions on these issues or others regarding the use of vertical in line fire pumps would be welcome.

Thanks

Chaz12

 

[LCREP]

Your info is correct, if you have room use the horizontal split case pump it is a 'better' pump because of less wear on the bearings. If that is "better" because of less wear and tear on the bearing then that makes it better in my view, less down time. The water drips/runs on the lower bearing water and bearing are not a good thing. Now if you ask the mfg they will say no problem, then again they like to sell bearings!

I had a customer, a hospital, that had so many problems with bearings and the cost to replace every few years they replaced the vertical pump with a horizontal pump.

This is my 2 cents based on what I see others may have a another view.

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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too!

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

I haven't had any bad experiences with vertical inline pumps and prefer to use them wherever I can.

With the 10 pipe diameters required between backflow preventors and suction side of horizontal split case pumps fitting things in to an architects idea of a pump room can present problems.

Just my two cents but, as I said, I've never had a problem with vertical inline pumps.