Fire pumps are essential components of fire protection systems, designed to increase the pressure of water in a fire sprinkler system or to provide water at high pressures to hoses and fire suppression systems in buildings and industrial facilities. They are most often found in buildings that rely on a water-based fire protection system where the available water supply is insufficient in pressure or flow.
There are several types of fire pumps, with centrifugal pumps being the most common due to their efficiency and ability to handle large volumes of water. Other types include vertical turbine pumps, end-suction pumps, split-case pumps, and in-line pumps. Fire pumps can be powered by electric motors, diesel engines, or, in rare cases, steam turbines.