 Electricity comes to pump panels from 'Fire Pump Panel' through star and delta

connections.
 'Star and Delta' are power control switches which give a constant power supply to
pumps.
 Primarily power supply goes through star connections and then delta connection will
carry a non-interrupted constant power supply to pumps.
 At the top of panel, we can see 3 LED lamps which indicate Power ON/OFF and
trouble. 3 Ampere meters and one volt meter are installed near at top portion of
panel. There is a switch which helps us to know voltage in power supply. The voltage
indicates by voltage meter as we control the volt meter knob.
 Pump can run either manually or automatically. There is a knob for controlling auto-
manual function on each pump panel.
 Every panel is controlled by ON/OFF livers. 3 press switches and 4 LED bulbs are
installed on every panel.

ON Green Switch Green Light

OFF Red Switch Red Light
Reset Yellow Switch Yellow Light
Manual mode Blue Light

 Before starting pump, must check for voltage of power in three lines. We can check
it by controlling voltage regulator switch which installed on top near voltage meter.
 The voltage must in between 360V and 440V.
 We are keeping the Jockey pump in auto mode and others in manual mode.
 Panel carries a high voltage power. Do not operate without knowledge and
inappropriate condition.

Pumps
Three centrifugal pumps —Jockey Pump, Main Pump, Stand by Pump and one terrace
mounted pump.

Two types of pumps depend upon the suction method: -

1. Positive suction pumps &
2. Negative suction pumps.

Positive Suction — Water coming directly from tank to suction head by gravitational
force.

Negative Suction— Suction line with a foot valve. Priming should require in negative
Working
In auto mode
 If a pressure drops in hydrant line below 7 bars, the Jockey pump starts
automatically and maintains the line pressure as 7 bars. If pressure drop persists
and the level decreases below 5 bars, the Main pump will start and gives a high
pressure water supply. Jockey pump will automatically go off when main pump
starts.
 Standby pump kept for an immediate use, when main pump failed in operation. It
will start automatically if pressure drops below 2bars.
 Before switching off manually, ensure the Auto-Manual switch is in manual position.
Then press the OFF switch (Red in colour)
 Always ensure pump ampere level is 150 amps.

In Manual mode
Panel & Pump operating procedure
 Before operating always check for voltage level.
 ON the Fire pump panel by using ON/OFF liver.
 Ensure the Auto-Manual switch on each pump panels is in manual position.
 ON the pump panel by using ON/OFF liver. Then ON the pump by pressing ON switch
(Green in colour)
 Check the ampere for pump in ampere meter, installed at the top. The normal
ampere level 150 amps.
 Before switching off manually, ensure the Auto-Manual switch is in manual position.
Then press OFF switch (Red in colour).

Pump failure- Chances

 Voltage variation — The voltage level, a pump needs to work safely is between 360V
and 440V. If any difference in voltage do not ON the pump. It may burn.
 Closed valves — The Valves in hydrant lines may be in close position while running
the pump. This situation may cause over heating in propeller side and will result in
break down.
 Pump overheating — Main cause is the closed valves while pump running.
Moisture content — If pump remains as unused, the coils / windings inside may get
moisture. This condition will cause a short circuit in coils/windings and it will burn.

Maintenance
Run all the pumps once in a week.
Hydrant Line
Hydrant line consists of MS pipes, NRV's, Butterfly Valves, Air releasing valves/vessels,
pressure gauges, pressure switches, male/female couplings and hose boxes.

Some major points

 NRV (non-return valve) — Uses for preventing back water flow.
 Butterfly valve — Uses for control flow of water in line.
 Air releasing valve — Helps to release air inside hydrant lines.
 Air releasing vessel —Same use of Air releasing valve. But it works more effectively than Air
releasing valve. When an air lock happens in hydrant line, this vessel absorbs the air and releases it
to atmosphere automatically/manually.
Main cause of Air lock - The vacant space which happens by the back flow of water from top of
hydrant line, occupies air.
 Pressure Gauge— Helps to know the pressure in line. These pressure gauges are connected to
pressure switches which ON/OFF pumps.
 Pressure Switches — It gets the pressure level from pressure gauge and ON/OFF pumps.
Hose Box — Two hoses will be in hose boxes in yards. Once in 4months pressure test should do for
hoses. Plaster of Paris powder can apply to hose against fungal infection.

Pump Testing During Trial Run

 Starting up of the pressurization (Jockey Pump)

The pressure switch shall be set at 7 kg /cm2 at the lower limit and 7.5kg/cm2 at the upper limit. The
system drain shall be opened to cause a drop in the pressure. The Jockey Pump shall start as soon as
the pressure gauge needle falls down to 7 kg. The Jockey Pump shall also automatically stop when
the system has been pressurized again up to 7.5 kg /cm2.


The main electric pump
The pump shall be set to start at 6.5kg /sq.cm an external hydrant valve using a single length of hose
and branch pipe shall be fully opened to cause a drop of pressure in the system. At first, the jockey
pump shall start when the pressure drops to 6.5 kg. Further, drop in the pressure up to 5 kg. should be
allowed to test automatic start-up of the electrical pump. The electrical pump shall continue to run at-
least for 5 minutes and register rise in the pressure up to 7.5kg. The Jockey Pump shall be
automatically start at this.

The electrical pump shall be stopped manually by pressuring the stop button.

 Standby Diesel Pump

After having the system got fully charged at 7.0 kg /cm2 the external hydrant valve using hose and
branch pipe at (ii) above shall be opened. When the pressure has dropped to 6.0kg /cm2, the electric
main pump shall come into operation automatically. After the main pump has run for 5 minutes, the
power supply in the pump house shall be switched off. The diesel pump shall automatically come
into operation immediately.

 All these tests mentioned above shall be repeated after one hour interval. The result of all the tests
shall be identical again. After the system has satisfactorily withstood the above tests, it can be taken
over from the contractor.