Fire pumps that are powered by diesel engines are an excellent alternative to electric motor-driven fire pump systems. A lot of the same design and installation considerations apply to both types, but there are some important differences. In addition, a diesel engine-driven fire pump requires an automatic control system that can ensure dependable operation when it is needed. Metron/Metron-Eledyne manufactures a line of fire pump controllers that can work with all approved types of diesel engine driven fire pumps and is certified to NFPA 20.

The diesel fuel tank for a fire engine driven fire pump is sized to hold enough fuel for eight hours. This is based on the assumption that the fire will last for about that long. Some occupancies may require a larger tank size to allow for the possibility of longer fire durations.

When the system is first installed, a thorough inspection and testing must be performed to ensure that all components are in good condition. The diesel engine and fuel tank should be inspected and the valves should be cleaned. Upon completion of the inspection and test, the COR should schedule a final acceptance inspection and testing to verify that all requirements have been met.

The room or building that houses the diesel engine should be sprinklered and protected from flooding or explosions. It should also be maintained at a temperature of at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid the degrading of the diesel fuel and prevent the formation of the gel that can occur at lower temperatures. Also, the room ventilation and combustion air louvers should be in working order to help reduce the risk of fire.diesel engine driven fire pump