Pump installation guides

The most important factor in ensuring a pump system offers a long service
life is to get the installation right. No amount of good engineering, proper
pump selection, or correct application of pumping technology can
overcome the challenges a poor installation can throw at a pump system.
So it’s critical that we all know the bare minimum requirements to ensure
a good installation.

Step 1: Read the Manufacturer’s

Installation Instructions
Virtually all pump manufacturer’s offer Operation and Maintenance
Manuals (O&M’s). In addition to information on proper pump operation
and maintenance these manuals usually also provide information on how
to install the pumps. It is critical that the Installer review and understand
these instructions prior to attempting to install the pumps. Not only with
this information prove invaluable, failing to comply with the instructions
could void the manufacturer’s warranty. So always always always start by
asking for, and thoroughly reviewing the manufacturer’s written
instructions.

Step 2: Visual Inspection Looking for

Obvious Signs of Problems
Once you’re certain the Installer has taken care of Step 1 it’s time for a
quick visual inspection of the equipment. First, ask the manufacturer if
they have an Inspection Checklist. If one is available use it to check any
items they indicate are important. If one isn’t available to call the
manufacturer up and ask what items you should be looking for.

Depending on the type of equipment, typical installation inspection

requirements may include:

 All equipment appears to be properly installed: guards are in place, anchor

bolts are installed, seals are not leaking excessively, electrical connections
 are neatly terminated in appropriate junction boxes, equipment is installed
level as verified by a machinist level (not a carpenter’s level), etc.
 A simple verification of alignment using a straightedge to compare the
alignment of the coupling hubs at several increments around the perimeter
of the coupling.
 Verification that the equipment is properly anchored and that baseplates
are grouted (depending on equipment design and manufacturer
requirements).
 Add lubricant and/or check lubricant levels.
 Verify that the seal flush arrangement is correctly assembled and appears
to be functioning.
 Conduct a bump test to make sure the motor is rotating in the right
direction (only done with the motor decoupled from the pump, or with the
pump filled with liquid).
 Remove the bolts from the pump flanges to confirm that the piping is
properly anchored and not transmitting any thrust to the pump.

These are simple inspections that can be conducted by any knowledgeable

pump professional. The key is to move slowly, be thorough, and always
refer back to the manufacturer’s O&M and Installation Inspection
Checklist. In the case of small pumps, this may well be the final step prior
to startup. However, for larger pumps, additional inspections are often
required.

Step 3: Factory-Authorized Service

In the case of large equipment, it will probably be necessary to bring either
a service technician employed by the equipment manufacturer or a service
technician formally approved by the equipment manufacturer to perform
additional inspections and commissioning.

This is the step where the pump sales and application professional will
bow out and give way to personnel who specialize in inspecting and
starting large rotating equipment.

Typical services at this step may include:

 Alignment inspection: Once the simple straight edge method has been
applied the next step in terms of accuracy would be to use dial indicators
to actually measure the degree of misalignment. The highest level of
accuracy would be attained by utilizing laser alignment equipment to
measure misalignment with a great degree of accuracy.
 Vibration measurement: There are many vibration standards that apply to
pumps depending on the application and the customer’s preference. Two
of the more commonly applied standard which contains vibration
limitations are the Hydraulic Institute Standards and the American
Petroleum Institute. It is fairly common for vibration testing to be
conducted on large equipment to verify that the vibration levels exhibited
in the field are within the allowable levels according to the relevant
standard.
 Flatness measurement: Some installations may even require that
sophisticated equipment be used to verify the flatness of the installed
equipment beyond what can be verified with a machinist level. This is
particularly important and more commonly required when dealing with
large vertical equipment due to this equipment’s sensitivity to seemingly
minor out-of-plumb installation conditions.

If services at the Step 3 level are required it’s important that these be
handled by qualified professional service technicians approved by both the
Manufacturer and the Owner of the equipment.

REMINDER(!) and Conclusion

It bears repeating that at every step reference should always be made to
the manufacturer’s instructions. They are the ones who designed the
equipment, are intimately aware of the capabilities and sensitivities of the
equipment, and will be responsible for warranty the equipment against
defects. Keeping that warranty intact is important. So following the
manufacturer’s instructions at every step along the way is non-negotiable.

Once these steps have been completed the installation is ready for the
startup, and you can rest easy knowing that you’ve done everything you
could to ensure that the equipment installation was done right.