WCW26

The Southport Fire Pump Replacement project involved upgrading the municipality's fire protection system by replacing a diesel-powered fire pump with an electric fire pump and generator. The project was driven by the need to resolve deteriorating operational output and, critically, to enhance public drinking water safety. By removing the old diesel-powered fire pump located above the treated water storage reservoirs, the replacement system eliminated a substantial contamination risk, aligning with best practices for drinking water safety. The new pump was required to be an NFPA 20 rated system to provide fire protection for numerous airport hangers, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings (as mandated by insurance requirements). Unlike typical fire pump installations, this fire pump was directly integrated into the potable water distribution network. This unusual configuration necessitated that all components and appurtenances (including the pump, piping, and valves) meet NSF 61 requirements for materials in contact with drinking water. The project's primary technical challenge was the final calibration and programming required to balance fire pump operation with the existing distribution pump flow.