Fire Fighting Pumps - A Buyers Guide

When bushfires threaten your property, you can protect your home and property if you are well prepared. This buyers guide to fire fighting pumps will provide crucial information to help you choose the right firefighting pump to fire protection this fire season.

Fire fighting pumps are designed for many other applications including transferring water, boom spraying, irrigation, stock watering, washdown, fire hazards and many other farm pump jobs around your property where you require pressurised water, making them a very handy all-purpose pump.

At Water Pumps Now we sell an extensive range of fire fighting pumps to suit all budgets and applications.

There are a number of decisions to make when choosing a pump too assist you in getting the right pump for your situation and budget.

What is the difference between a petrol or diesel fire fighting pump?

Fire fighting pumps are often powered by either petrol or diesel.

Diesel engine fire pumps are an industrial duty pump with a longer pump life, more durable and with higher torque which are generally used in industrial applications. Diesel engine pumps are generally more expensive to buy than petrol pumps, however they are pumping the water with more efficiency.

Petrol fire pumps are the popular choice of many. These portable fire pumps offer versatility around the home and farm at a price to suit most budgets. These pumps use 4 stroke unleaded petrol.

What is the difference between an Electric start or recoil start fire fighting pump?

Electric start fire pumps are used by turning a key on the side of the pump, much like turning the key in a car. Electric start pumps need to be wired with a wiring harness set to the battery for power. Most will have the battery with harness gear mounted on the base, inside the roll frame, beside the pump for easy portability. You can also connect your pump to your vehicle battery as another option or to a separate portable battery. The electric start option is generally a quick start up when required.

NOTE: The minimum specifications for a battery are: 200CCA/35AH (amp hours)

Recoil start on a pump is like starting a lawn mower. You turn the ON switch, then pull the handle/cable to start the pump. No battery required.

What is the difference between a single impeller or twin impeller pump?

Twin impeller pumps create more pressure than a single impeller pump. The extra water pressure created by the twin impellers results in a higher head. Giving them the ability to push water from the water supply with more power than a single impeller. (Head is the height from the original water source up to the highest point to which the fluid will be pumped - also called the discharge point).

Do I need a roll cage on my fire fighting pump?

The choice is yours. Pumps without a roll cage generally come with a carry handle. A roll cage is also great for sitting the battery within the frame of the cage for portability of electric start fire pump models.

Now you have worked out the style of pump you require you then need to look at the specifications of the pump to ensure you get the flow rate and pressure you application requires.

What water pressure and water flow is required in a fire fighting pump?

For applications such as irrigation, fire fighting and farm equipment washdown you’ll need to make sure your pump has adequate water pressure. To calculate pressure of the pump you multiply the maximum head given in the pump specifications by 1.42 to give you the PSI (pressure).

EG: Maximum head is 76m. The pressure is 76 x 1.42 = 107.92 PSI. As a guide a garden hose or house tap will operate at 30 to 40 PSI.

What is the flow rate of water required per minute for a fire fighting pump?

In a domestic situation for fire fighting you will require a minimum of 200 litres per minute calculated in conjunction with the maximum head to enable water to reach the fire.

Maximum head:

Refer to the maximum head (height the pump can pump to).

EG: If the water source to the water pump has a lift of 7m and the rise to the discharge point is a further 40m, then the suction height and lift combined is 7 + 40 = 47m. Therefore to have water at the discharge point you need a minimum head of 47m. Additionally for every 100 metres of pipe you will lose at least another 1m of head in friction loss.

What Size inlet and outlet do I require for my water pump?

The inlet and outlet size of the pumps will generally vary from 1” to 4”. The inlet valve draws water from your water source where water needs to be pumped and it is then moved through the discharge valve. The larger the outlet the quicker the transfer of water will be.

What are the different engine driven pump styles used for?

Engine driven pumps also come in Trash pumps for pumping dirty water with solids and also water transfer pumps. There is a large range available and your choice will be made dependant on whether you require diesel or petrol, with or without roll frame, electric or recoil start. The same calculations are applicable for determining flow rates and maximum head as used for these pumps.

What is the difference between engine driven water transfer pumps and fire fighting pumps?

Engine driven diesel water transfer pumps and petrol pumps move large volumes of water you need to move quicker but with lower pressure. High flow – low pressure.

Fire fighting diesel and petrol pumps have high pressure to spray/deliver the water further and wider with less flow. Lower flow - high pressure.

A fire fighting pump works on a similar principal to a small FL3203 12 volt diaphragm pump for farm chemical spraying for single wand spray. The FL3203 is high pressure at 100PSI with low flow of 5 L/min combining to give a fantastic chemical wand spray for weeds off your ag bike.

What pumps are in the engine drive fire fighting pump range?

Highly sought after the Reefe RP series built firefighting pumps are absolute value for money. Built in our Brisbane warehouse with a genuine Honda motor with 3 year motor warranty and 2 year warranty on both the wet end and roll frame. These highly popular fire fighting water pumps are also available in both electric and recoil start without or without roll cages and with either single or twin impellers.

The premium Reefe RDY range of industrial grade Yanmar and Kohler diesel fire pumps come in either single or twin impeller, recoil or electric start and with or without roll cages with a 2 year warranty on both the motor and wet end and roll frame.

Waterpro offer a value for money fire pump solution offering both a single impeller or twin impeller option with recoil start and roll cage with a 1 year warranty.

Which are the most popular fire fighting pumps?

There are many choices for fire pumps, but the standout best seller is the Honda GX200 motor on a Reefe Pumps wet end. Water Pumps Now stock a wide range of firefighting pumps to suit all applications and sizes required with options of with or without roll frames, recoil start or electric start, twin or single impeller pumps, ideal for tackling a fire.

Home owner on small to medium flat block

• Honda GX200 Single Impeller Pump - Recoil start with roll frame

Home owner on flat domestic block

• Waterpro Single Impeller Pump - Recoil start with roll frame. Also available in twin impeller

Property owner on sloping land

• Twin Impeller Honda GX200E Pump - Twin Impeller, electric start with roll frame

The above comprehensive guide will have helped you to decide which type of pump is best for you. Please also note that fire pumps should be installed by a qualified professional.

Browse our full range of fire fighting pumps or contact us by either email or phone 1300411366. If you need a pump, we’re here to help with choosing the right pump!