Would you recommend putting a VFD on a fire pump?

Fire and Sprinkler Fire pumps are vital for fire fighting systems in building. But did you know there is a fire pump-friendly device called a VFD that can contribute to reducing both the size and the cost of these presumably “big” pumps? Today, let’s discuss if adding a VFD on a fire pump is a good thing or not.

Advantages for using a VFD Fire Pump Controller.

A VFD, Variable Frequency Drive or just an inverter is a device that can control the speed of a motor. When it comes to fire pumps, there are a lot of advantages that come with using a VFD. Its obelisk form is a design that predates civilization, but one of its greatest virtues may be the amount of energy that it can help save. By regulating the speed of the motor as per water requirement, a VFD can reduce wear and tear on the pump. This will not only conserve electricity, but also convey the pump possible older age. And a VFD will enable the pump to modulate more precisely, based on real-time changes in water pressure.

Looking at options for using a VFD on a fire pump.

The fire pumps always give preference to safety. In fact, employing a fire pump with a VFD can make such equipment even safer. By adjusting the speed of the pump, a VFD could avoid abrupt spikes in pressure and subsequently minimize any potential damage to the pump or piping system. In an efficient pumping standpoint, with a VFD for the pump you keep it running at its most efficient speed to pump water when needed. This can make a big difference in an emergency, where time is of the essence and every second counts.

When should you use VFD with Fire Pumps?

There are many things to consider before you decide that a VFD is the way to go for your fire pump. One of the most important is building size and water requirement. Since buildings with greater water requirements may gain more from utilizing a VFD to operate their fire pump. The cost of setting up is one more consideration. Great as a VFD is it can also bring some disadvantages. But the savings in energy and maintenance costs over time could make a capital investment worthwhile.

Here are a few real applications where VFDs have been installed on fire pumps.

There are many buildings that have installed VFDs on their fire pumps and reaped the benefits of doing so. One example is a large office building in the city where they put a VFD on their fire pump to save on energy. They found that there was a substantial reduction in their electricity bills after the installation and that the building did not lose any of its safety or integrity. A shopping centre that decided to mount a VFD on its fire pump just for superior control of the water pressure is another case in point. Their quick reaction time enabled them to keep the fire at bay and protected the structure and people.

Disadvantages and challenges that arise in connection with using a VFD on a fire pump.

As attractive as utilizing a VFD on a fire pump may sound there are issues and deficiencies to consider. One problem is that the VFD must be maintained properly and checked periodically if it is running fine. Also, potential for triggered electrical noise which may impact VFD operation. Further, the electrical systems of some existing buildings must be modified to accept a VFD which adds to the cost to install.

MISS: A good case can be made for using a VFD on a fire pump . But the considerations listed above should be at least considered and some of those trade-offs weighed before pulling the trigger. When installed and maintained properly, a VFD can be an asset for any building fire pump system to contribute the safety and reliability required from a building’s fire protection system. At Kaiyuan Pump we product fire pump control system including the using of VFD. Choose Kaiyuan Pump for your fire pump!