Charles, you raise a good point. I haven't witnessed the test or even seen the pump. I have no idea exactly what is or is not running. My only involvement so far is what I am getting via phone calls. I've already suggested a pressure switch on each system, if we cannot find another solution.
FWIW, I just got back from a pump test (different pump) and neither the contractor nor his helper showed up with any tools. They had to borrow a couple of adjustable wrenches in order to swap the gauges (which I supplied). I had told him, as had the building owner, that we needed a 3 point test and he had no idea what we were talking about. This is the guy that regularly does the ITM at this location. At 12:19 PM 11/2/2009, you wrote: >Hello Todd, > >Is the jockey running during this test? > >If not, There is not enough flow to keep the flow switch activated >longer than the delay duration this will happen. > >If so and the jockey does not supply enough GPM (4-10) to keep the >flow switch activated for the duration of the delay this will happen. > > >Maybe use a Pressure switch for the flow alarm..... Or to signal Pump Failure. > >Monday, November 2, 2009, 11:06:39 AM, you wrote: > > > A situation came up this morning that I probably should know the > > answer to, but I don't. A building is protected by a 500 gpm at 40 > > psi diesel pump taking suction from a tank (no public water). The > > pump feeds to 2 sprinkler risers with riser checks and flow switches. > > The jockey pump pressure is set to approximately 50 psi. If the > > inspector's test opens and the pump does not turn on, there is not > > enough flow in the system to activate the flow switch. Consequently, > > if a sprinkler goes off and the pump does not activate, then no alarm > > is sent. Having never run into this or heard of it being tested, I > > don't know if this is normal but it seems like it shouldn't be. Is > > this normal? Is it ever tested? > > > My first reaction is what is the delay on the flow switch set to (30 > > seconds). I told them to set to delay to 0 and see what happens. It > > may be just a situation of getting the setting right. Thoughts? > > > Todd G. Williams, PE > > Fire Protection Design/Consulting > > Stonington, Connecticut > > www.fpdc.com > > 860.535.2080 > > _______________________________________________ > > Sprinklerforum mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] > > > To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] > > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > > >-- >Best regards, > Charles Thurston mailto:[email protected] > Coastal Fire Protection/ Myrtle Beach Fire & Safety Co. >AFAA Guest > >_______________________________________________ >Sprinklerforum mailing list >[email protected] >http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > >For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] > >To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] >(Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) Todd G. Williams, PE Fire Protection Design/Consulting Stonington, Connecticut www.fpdc.com 860.535.2080 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
