Short answer: DS 3-7 Appendix C.1.1 item H (p.45) requires the pump to be tested over its entire range from 0 to 150% of rated capacity. The important test points are churn (no flow), rated capacity and 150% of rated capacity; two intermediate points are taken to develop the curve. The recommended sequence is churn, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125% and 150%. Start at low flow and increase gradually; starting the pump with hoses open can cause cavitation.

The purpose of an acceptance test is not to see that the pump runs, but to prove that, as installed, it matches the manufacturer's certified curve. DS 3-7 Section 2.5.1 (p.23) says so plainly: the pump as installed should equal or better the performance on the manufacturer's certified shop test curve within the accuracy of the test equipment; if not, the cause of the discrepancy is investigated and corrected.

The source is FM Global DS 3-7, Fire Protection Pumps (April 2012, Interim Revision April 2025, 48 pages); the annual test side is completed from the fire pump table of DS 2-81. For the pump room and installation see the DS 3-7 fire pump field guide, and for variable speed pumps the DS 3-7 variable speed pump article.

Before the Test: Equipment and Calibration

Appendix C (p.44) asks that, before the test, the operator is familiar with operating this type of equipment and that all operators have studied the instruction manuals of the engine, pump and controller manufacturers.

The same section lists the equipment needed: 50 ft (15 m) lengths of 2-1/2 in. (65 mm) lined hose with smooth bore nozzles for the test valve header (possibly not needed where a calibrated and reliable in-line flow meter is provided); a clamp-on volt/ammeter; test gauges; a tachometer; and a pitot tube with gauge when hose and nozzles are used. All test instrumentation must have been calibrated within the last 12 months.

Section C.1 (p.44) sets two practical limits: where a hose valve header is used, the hose length is limited to approximately 100 ft (30 m); where a flow meter is used, additional outlets such as hydrants and hose valves are provided to verify its accuracy, and the meter is tested before the pump acceptance test to make sure it is installed correctly.

Field Acceptance Test Procedure

Appendix C.1.1 (p.44-46) gives the procedure in order:

  1. Visual check (A). Verify that pressure switches and circuit breakers are set correctly; look for signs of overheating and vibration; tie down hose and nozzles securely and keep the hose valves closed; if a flow meter is used, verify that the valve on its discharge side is closed. Verify that the pressure in the mains is normal (jockey pump pressure) to prevent water hammer.
  2. Power source (B). For a diesel, confirm the fuel tank is full and the supply valve open; for an electric driver, confirm the supply routing is safeguarded against disruption by fire, collapse, flood and similar events and is tied in before the main facility disconnect.
  3. Suction supply (C). For a public supply, run a flow test with the pump off to confirm the supply is sufficient and free of debris; for a suction tank, confirm it is full and the valve open; for an open body of water, confirm the screens are clear.
  4. Start-up and first observation (D-G). Start the pump; confirm the relief valve (if provided) is not flowing; partially open one or two hose valves; watch for vibration, oil and water leaks and unusual noise, and confirm a slight water flow from the packing glands.
  5. Flow points (H). Test the pump over its whole range from 0 to 150% of rated capacity. The important points are churn, rated capacity and 150%; two intermediate points are taken to develop the curve. The recommended sequence is churn (0%), 50%, 75%, 100%, 125% and 150%. Start at low flow and increase gradually; starting the pump with hoses open can cause cavitation.
  6. Endurance (L). Run the pump for at least 1 hour to verify smooth operation without coupling failure or overheating. For a diesel engine this is checked by discharging at the 150% point, letting the engine temperature stabilize, and then running for another 15 minutes.
  7. Starts (K). Start the pump 6 times manually and 6 times automatically. For electric motors, allow at least 5 minutes at full speed after each start for the windings to cool; for motors above 200 hp (150 kW), attempt no more than two starts in 10 to 12 hours and allow a running interval of at least 15 minutes at full speed between starts.
  8. Close-out (M). At the end of the test, confirm that the pressure in the mains is back to normal or to jockey pump pressure before returning the pump to automatic service, to prevent water hammer; return all equipment to automatic mode and leave control valves fully open, with only the valve to the test header closed.

Recorded Data and Speed Correction

Appendix C.1.1 item I (p.45) lists the data recorded at each test point: pump speed, suction pressure, discharge pressure, number and size of hose nozzles with the pitot pressure for each nozzle and total flow (flow read directly for a flow meter), and amperes and volts for electric motors.

Item J describes the calculation. With a hose valve header, the flow is found from each pitot reading using the nozzle discharge tables in Hydraulics Tables (P6920); the data sheet's example is that 16 psi (1.1 bar) pitot pressure on a 1-3/4 in. (44.4 mm) nozzle with a coefficient of 0.97 indicates 364 gpm (1,378 L/min). Net head is the difference between discharge and suction pressure for horizontal pumps and their sum for vertical pumps; for vertical pumps the suction pressure is found by multiplying the height between the water level and the pump discharge centreline by 0.433 psi/ft (0.098 bar/m).

If the speed deviates, the values are normalized to rated speed (C.1.1 J.5, p.46): flow Q2 = (N2/N1) x Q1, head P2 = (N2/N1)^2 x P1, power hp2 = (N2/N1)^3 x hp1, where N1 is the test speed and N2 the rated speed. Section C.2.1 (p.46) notes that the nameplate full-load speed of an alternating current motor is accurate enough for test purposes, while the actual speed of diesel engines varies from rated speed.

In the electrical evaluation (C.1.1 J.4) the measured volts and amps are compared with the motor nameplate full-load amperes; for a motor with a 1.15 service factor, the maximum amps allowed are taken as approximately 1.15 times motor amps. The data sheet stresses accurate measurement on each phase: a poor supply with low voltage causes high ampere readings, which can be corrected only by improving the supply; there is nothing to be done to the motor or the pump.

Criteria to Be Met

Criterion Value Source
Flow to be delivered at 65% of rated pressure At least 150% of rated flow Section 2.4 (p.13)
Expected shutoff (churn) pressure range 101% to 140% of rated pressure Section 3.1.5 (p.33)
Pressure range at 150% capacity From 65% of rated pressure to just below rated pressure Section 3.1.5 (p.33)
Flow the test outlets must be able to discharge At least 175% of rated capacity Section 2.3.3.4 (p.11)
Suction pipe velocity (pump at 150% capacity) Not above 15 ft/s (4.6 m/s) Section 2.3.2.5 (p.9)
Friction loss between suction tank and pump suction inlet (at 150% flow) Not above 6 psi (0.4 bar) Section 2.3.2.2 (p.8)
When a main relief valve is required If net rated shutoff pressure plus maximum static suction pressure can exceed the component rating (usually 175 psi / 12 bar) Section 2.3.4.2 (p.12)
Limited-service pump performance At least 130% of rated capacity at no less than 65% of rated head Section 3.1.4.1 (p.31)

Table 2.3.2.5-1 (p.10) makes the suction velocity check easy: the flow that creates 15 ft/s is 585 gpm (2,214 L/min) for DN100, 1,320 gpm (5,000 L/min) for DN150, 2,340 gpm (8,860 L/min) for DN200, 3,660 gpm (13,850 L/min) for DN250 and 5,280 gpm (19,985 L/min) for DN300. Section 2.3.2.5 requires all pumps to be assumed flowing simultaneously in multiple pump installations with a common suction. The jockey pump setting is defined by Section 2.4.11.6 (p.15): jockey start point equals churn pressure plus maximum static suction pressure plus 5 psi; jockey stop point is 10 psi (70 kPa) above that; fire pump start point is 5-10 psi (35-70 kPa) below the jockey start point.

Annual and Periodic Testing

DS 3-7 Section 1.0 (p.4) limits its own scope clearly: this data sheet does not cover inspection, testing and maintenance requirements for fire pump systems. That side is in DS 2-81.

DS 2-81 Table 7 (p.16-17) gives the programme: starting the pump in automatic mode via pressure drop or waterflow alarm and letting it churn until it reaches normal operating conditions is monthly for electric pumps and weekly for diesel pumps, and in both cases the pump is not isolated. The pump room is inspected weekly. Pump performance and suction supply availability are verified annually; the controller being set for manual stop only, the automatic start and stop set points of the pressure maintenance devices, and the controller supervisory alarms are tested annually. On the diesel side, engine battery condition is checked monthly and the batteries are replaced every 2 years.

Churn run times are set by DS 2-81 Sections 2.9.2.1.2 and 2.9.3.1.2 (p.18-19): at least 10 minutes for an electric pump, at least 30 minutes for a diesel pump. Since the October 2025 interim revision, these tests can also be run with an FM Approved automated fire pump test system without personnel present (2.9.2.2, 2.9.3.2).

The rules of the annual performance test are in DS 2-81 Section 2.9.5 (p.20): suction and discharge pressures and flow are recorded at a minimum of three points (churn, rated capacity, maximum pump capacity); a flow meter, if used, is calibrated every 3 years; speed is recorded at each point; for electric pumps the actual amperage at 150% capacity is compared with the full-load current on the motor nameplate; for diesel pumps the actual speed at rated flow must be within 10% of rated speed. For the NFPA 25 counterpart see the fire pump performance test article, and for pump room items the pump room inspection checklist.

Field Note

The most argued item in an acceptance test is the 6 manual and 6 automatic starts. The contractor usually says "the pump has already run". But the purpose of Appendix C.1.1 item K is not to show that the pump turns; it is to prove prompt and smooth start-up at the required pressure or flow, so what is being tested is the controller and the sensing chain. The waiting times in the same item are also neglected. When they are squeezed, the motor windings are stressed and the acceptance test turns from something that secures protection into something that wears the equipment.

The second point is on the suction side. Section 2.3.2.2 requires the friction loss between the suction tank and the pump suction inlet not to exceed 0.4 bar at 150% flow, and gives the reason: this secures the net positive suction head (NPSH) the pump needs when the tank is nearly empty. On site, acceptance tests are usually run with a full tank and this criterion is never tested; a calculation that includes the equivalent lengths of elbows and fittings is the only thing that provides the assurance the test cannot give.

Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Which flow points are measured in a fire pump acceptance test?

DS 3-7 Appendix C.1.1 item H (p.45) requires the pump to be tested over its entire range from 0 to 150% of rated capacity. The important test points are churn (no flow), rated capacity and 150% of rated capacity; two intermediate points are taken to develop the curve. The recommended sequence is churn, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125% and 150%. Start at low flow and increase gradually; starting the pump with hoses open can cause cavitation.

What criteria must the pump curve meet?

DS 3-7 Section 2.4 (p.13) requires the pump to deliver at least 150% of rated flow at no less than 65% of rated pressure. The supporting text in Section 3.1.5 (p.33) gives the expected curve range for listed pumps: shutoff head is at least 101% and at most 140% of rated head; at 150% of rated capacity, head ranges from at least 65% to just below rated head. Section 2.5.1 (p.23) also requires the installed pump to equal or better the manufacturer's certified shop test curve.

How many starts are made in the acceptance test?

DS 3-7 Appendix C.1.1 item K (p.46) asks for the pump to be started 6 times manually and 6 times automatically during the test, to verify prompt and smooth start-up at the required pressure or flow. For electric motors, allow at least 5 minutes at full speed after each start so the windings can cool. For electric motors above 200 hp (150 kW), no more than 2 starts should be attempted in 10 to 12 hours, with a running interval of at least 15 minutes at full speed.

Which points are measured in the annual pump test?

The annual test is defined in DS 2-81 Section 2.9.5 (p.20). Suction and discharge pressures and flow are recorded at a minimum of three test points: churn, rated capacity and maximum pump capacity. Speed is recorded at each point; for electric pumps voltage and amperage, for diesel pumps coolant temperature, oil pressure and hours are recorded. In the evaluation the three points are compared with the manufacturer's curve and previous test results; for diesel pumps the actual speed at rated flow must be within 10% of rated speed.

References

  1. FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 3-7, Fire Protection Pumps, April 2012, Interim Revision April 2025. Sections used: 1.0 (p.4), 2.3.2.2 (p.8), 2.3.2.5 and Table 2.3.2.5-1 (p.9-10), 2.3.3.4 (p.11), 2.3.4.2 (p.12), 2.4 (p.13), 2.4.11.6 (p.15), 2.5.1-2.5.3 (p.23), 3.1.4.1 (p.31), 3.1.5 (p.33), Appendix C and C.1 (p.44), C.1.1 (p.44-46), C.2.1 (p.46).
  2. FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 2-81, April 2019, Interim Revision October 2025. Sections used: Table 7 (p.16-17), 2.9.2-2.9.3 (p.18-19), 2.9.5 (p.20).
  3. FM Global data sheet list: https://www.fmglobal.com/research-and-resources/fm-global-data-sheets
  4. Pump installation and pump room: https://selvi.org/en/blog/fmglobal/ds-3-7-fire-pumps-field-guide
  5. Variable speed pumps: https://selvi.org/en/blog/fmglobal/ds-3-7-variable-speed-fire-pump
  6. NFPA 25 performance test counterpart: https://selvi.org/en/blog/nfpa/fire-pump-performance-test-nfpa-25
  7. Pump room inspection checklist: https://selvi.org/en/blog/saha/fire-pump-room-inspection-checklist

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Standards & References

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 3-7, Fire Protection Pumps, April 2012, Interim Revision April 2025; annual testing from FM Global Data Sheet 2-81, April 2019, Interim Revision October 2025. Every figure in this article is taken from the data sheet texts; clause, table and page references are listed under References. General information only: the current editions govern.