Trident Emergency Products, LLC
2940 Turnpike Drive | Suite #9 | Hatboro, PA 19040 USA
16
AirPrime
™ Fire Pump Priming System
™
Annual Primer Testing
The AirPrime™ primer is designed to meet the NFPA requirements of:
Dry Vacuum
(
TEST #1
)
and
Priming Time
(
TEST #2
)
. These tests
should be performed on an annual basis, or whenever major repairs or modifications have been made to the fire pump, plumbing or primer.
TEST #1
Dry Vacuum Test
: Checks the primer’s ability to produce 22 inches (Hg)
[�745 Bar]
of vacuum, and the pump and plumbing’s
ability to hold that vacuum. The fire pump does not have to be engaged. If you have an Automatic AirPrime, use the lower
PRIME
position
on the rocker switch. If you have a Manual AirPrime, use the
Push Button
control. Never run a dry pump at engine speeds above 1200
RPM. There is no time requirement for the vacuum to reach 22 inches. If the compressor has a capacity of 13.2 CFM
[374 Cubic Centimeter
Displacement]
, it can take several minutes to reach 22 inches
[�75 Bar]
. This time can be shortened by engaging the pump and increasing
the engine speed to 1200 RPM. The test process is as follows:
1. Drain all water from pump and plumbing.
2. Close all valves and drains. Cap all suction openings and the outlet off of the suction side relief valve (if so equipped).
3. Connect a vacuum test gauge to the intake test gauge connection on the pump panel.
4. Operate the AirPrime with the air system at over 100 PSIG
[7�0 Bar]
pressure, air tanks filled to capacity, and at 1000 RPM engine speed;
until the vacuum gauge indicates 22 inches (Hg)
[�75 Bar]
or more of vacuum. For a
Manual
AirPrime, depress the valve on the pump
panel. If the primer is an
Automatic
AirPrime, depress the rocker switch to the
PRIME
(lower position) to activate the primer.
5. Watch the gauge, if the vacuum falls more than 10 inches in 5 minutes the test has failed and is a certain indication of an air leak(s).
Vacuum leaks may be detected by ear, with the engine turned off. Correct leaks immediately and test the priming system again.
TEST #2
Priming Time Test
: This test is to prove that the fire pump and primer have the capability of attaining a prime and creating
discharge water pressure in a set period of time. This test is also conducted by the apparatus builder prior to delivery. The fire pump shall
be engaged and primer actuated. This test is part of an annual pump performance test and is performed as follows:
1. Set up the apparatus in accordance with the pump test outlined in the NFPA 1901 Standards.
2. Engage the pump, and increase the throttle to a maximum engine speed of 1000 RPM.
3. Operate the AirPrime with the air system over 100 PSIG
[7�0 Bar]
pressure, air tanks filled to capacity, and at 1000 RPM engine speed.
• For the
Manuallly
controlled primer, release the push button when a discharge pressure over 20 PSIG
[1�4 Bar]
is obtained.
• For the
Automatic
primer, place the switch in the
AUTO PRIME
(upper position), the primer will turn off automatically when prime is
achieved.
4. The priming time should not exceed 30 seconds for 1250 GPM
[4700 LPM]
and smaller pumps. The priming time should not exceed 45
seconds for 1500 GPM
[5600 LPM]
and larger pumps. An additional 15 seconds is allowed for pumps with auxiliary suctions using 4" or
larger piping.
Higher lifts and operating at higher elevations will slow down the priming time. The air compressor rating should be a minimum of 18
CFM
[410 Cubic Centimeter Displacement]
for elevations over 4000 feet
[1200 m]
and lifts in excess of 15 feet
[4�5 m]
. Operation at these
extremes may require the primer to be operated at engine speeds in excess of 1000 RPM without engaging the pump, until water reaches
the impeller. Never run a dry pump at engine speeds above 1200 RPM.
IN-SERVICE OPERATIONAL RAMP TEST
The integrity and operation of the primer can be quickly checked (on a daily or weekly basis) as outlined below, without fire pump
engagement:
1. Drain all water from pump and plumbing.
2. Close all valves and drains. Cap all suction openings.
• Operate the AirPrime with the air brake system pressure over 100 PSIG
[7�0 Bar]
, air tanks filled to capacity, and the engine running at
1000 RPM (with an
Auto AirPrime
electrically controlled model, depress the switch in the lower
PRIME
mode position).
3. Stop running the primer.
Time to reach 15 inches HG
[�50 Bar]
or 17 feet
[5�0 m]
on lift gauge should be within the times listed below for the volume of the pump
being tested.
Small Body Pump (
Up To 1250
GPM): Vacuum Time
10 inches HG
[�33 Bar]
(11 Feet)
6 Seconds
15 inches HG
[�50 Bar]
(17 Feet)
15 Seconds
Large Body Pump (
Over 1250
GPM): Vacuum Time
10 inches HG
[�33 Bar
] (11 Feet)
8 Seconds
15 inches HG
[�50 Bar]
(17 Feet)
20 Seconds
Note
: Vacuum Times listed in the table at left are for operations up
to 2,000 feet
[609 m]
of elevation above sea level.
When performing this
In-Service Operational Ramp Test
at higher
elevations, the vacuum should be reduced by 1 inch (1.13 Feet) for
each 1,000 feet
[304 m]
of elevation above 2,000 feet
[609 m]
.
