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Fire pump testing schedule?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Pascal, Aug 11, 2024.

  1. Pascal, Aug 11, 2024
    #1
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    How often do you guys test your sea water fire pumps? It doesn’t get tested during the annual fire system inspection.

    I ve been hitting the switch once a month or so just to make sure the motor runs but only fully test it every 12-18 months. Pita to have to flush and then dry the hoses etc.

    tested it last week and nothing, zero pressure. Pulled it out (Mr Pump HLLF) and found the bronze impeller spin loosely on the threaded shaft.

    Just got the parts from Depco.

    I guess I should test it more often :). Also replaced both fire hose (aft deck stairs and bow)

    Attached Files:

  2. Capt Ralph, Aug 11, 2024
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I remember a few years ago, USCG COI inspection on Innisfail (ex. El Presidente), the inspector required the system to be tested.
    The inspector was very upset no body knew how to turn it on and operate it.
    The skipper did get it to work though.
    The hose/nozzle about threw the stew over when charged. At least SHE did not let it go and still pointing out to the river.
    The inspector grabbed her and hose before it got to ugly.
    Lots of comments and recommendations in that inspection report.
    A few weeks later, follow up proved great.

    It is good you checked your equipment out.
    Hopefully a lil crew/owner training before you tossed the old hoses.
    SeaEric likes this.
  3. DOCKMASTER, Aug 11, 2024
    #3
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    In the commercial world this would be an annual test for USCG
    LM Viking likes this.
  4. Capt Ralph, Aug 11, 2024
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Pascal, da big boat have a COI?
  5. Pascal, Aug 11, 2024
    #5
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    No COI. Strictly private

    it s taken me three years to go thru all the systems most of Which had been ignored for years.

    same with the emergency bilge pumps. We have two of them, one 240v and one hydraulic. Flowmax 5s… that we test every few months by filling the ER bilge and make sure they pump.
  6. SeaEric, Aug 11, 2024
    #6
    SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    LOL!
  7. Steve F, Aug 12, 2024
    #7
    Steve F

    Steve F New Member

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    I always did a full test every year and sent out the hoses for testing every five years
  8. Robertoman, Aug 12, 2024
    #8
    Robertoman

    Robertoman Member

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    Does my center console need one of these pumps?
  9. Capt Ralph, Aug 12, 2024
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    You a member of a volunteer fire dept?
    Then probably not.

    I remember a small Jax fire boat (mid 80s), he engages his forward nozzle and the boat went backwards.
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2024
    f3504x4ps likes this.
  10. K1W1, Aug 13, 2024
    #10
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    On a bigger yacht they should be getting run monthly. As many use the Main and or Emerg Fire Pump to wash the anchor chain the testing is sometimes a lot more frequent. Fire Detector heads should all be tested within 1 year. A spreadsheet with list of 1/12th of the heads installed onboard per month to be tested is the way through this. Sometimes there are ones that give spurious alarms such as those in AC ducts which proves they work but these also need to be tested and proved on the day
    rocdiver and cnvsback like this.
  11. abfish, Aug 26, 2024
    #11
    abfish

    abfish New Member

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    Once worked for a fire protection engineering company. Annual testing on fire pumps to check flow and pressure against factory pump curve. Start at least monthly.

    The owners who protested the testing were by far more likely to fail.