To satisfy UL standards, how long must a fire pump produce 100 percent of its rated capacity at 150 psi?

To meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards, a fire pump must demonstrate its reliability and performance by operating at its full rated capacity while also maintaining a specific pressure. In this case, the requirement is to sustain 100 percent of its rated capacity at 150 psi for 20 minutes.

This testing duration is essential for ensuring that the fire pump can deliver the necessary flow of water effectively during an emergency situation, such as a fire. The 20 minutes of operation at capacity is a significant time frame that allows for assessment of not only the pump’s ability to perform under pressure but also its durability and operational reliability in critical scenarios.

Maintaining this standard ensures that when firefighters rely on the pump during an emergency, it can provide a consistent and powerful source of water to combat fires effectively, fulfilling the critical life safety function that fire pumps are designed to serve.