Blog
New Sprinkler Legislation Passes in New York
August 25, 2014It would make sense that if you are renting or leasing a home, or at least thinking about doing so, you know whether or not the building you are looking at has a fire sprinkler system. This was not true in New York until this month, when Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that will require…
Preventing Workplace Fire Hazards
July 29, 2014According to the State Compensation Insurance Fund of California, there are between 70,000 and 80,000 serious workplace fires every year. The good news is there are simple steps that you can take to help limit the risk of these fires, and our blog today features some of the best ways to reduce the risk of fire…
How Often Should You Test Your Fire Pump?
June 27, 2014If you are a building owner or facilities manager and you have a sprinkler system being supplied by a fire pump, it is your legal responsibility to maintain your equipment and keep it in proper working order. If you don’t have the expertise or time to do this, you need to hire someone qualified who…
Fire Pump Testing Part II – Hose Valve Manifold vs Flow Meter
May 28, 2014This blog is the finale of our two-part series, where we continue discussing the testing of fire pumps, and we now switch our focus to the use of a flow meter device. In our second half of the series we’ll dive into the advantages and disadvantages to using flow meters instead of the hose manifold…
Fire Pump Testing – Hose Valve Manifold vs Flow Meter
April 16, 2014This week we embark on a two-part segment where we’ll cover fire pump testing, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of two different methods of testing water flow during a fire pump test: external water flow through a hose valve manifold on the exterior of a building, versus a flow meter recirculating loop within the mechanical…
Aurora Jockey Pumps Offer Fast Lead Times
March 18, 2014Jockey pumps are not officially “listed” equipment in the fire pump world, but if you suddenly discover your jockey pump is not performing, you can quickly find yourself with a much bigger problem. That is because with the jockey pump not working, there is nothing available to keep your sprinkler system piping pressurized. A small…
How are Engines and Motors Sized for Fire Pumps?
February 20, 2014Another question we get pretty frequently here at Steven Brown & Associates, Inc. is how are engines and motors sized for fire pumps? In order to determine the sizing of motors and engines for Aurora fire pumps, we refer to the guidelines put forth by the U.L., as well as in Factory Mutual’s Approval Standard…
2014 Clarke Factory Mutual Changes
January 16, 2014One of the most popular engine manufacturers for the Aurora and Fairbanks Nijhuis fire pump lines, Clarke Fire, has recently reviewed the 2013 changes to the FM1333 requirements and announced the changes it has made to meet these new standards. FM1333 is the approval standards for diesel engine fire pump drivers, and requires active compliance…
5 Winter Fire Prevention Tips
December 10, 2013With winter creeping closer and the cooler weather already underway, there is no better time to share with you some of our best winter fire prevention tips to ensure you a fire-free holiday season. Between holiday cooking and using alternate heat sources, winter is the most prevalent time for home fires. With over $2 billion…
The Constantly Evolving NFPA 25
November 15, 2013No one can doubt the importance of having a properly functioning fire pump ready to operate when there is a fire. But stationary fire pumps and their controllers spend the majority of their life not running at all – just sitting there. If there is a problem with your automobile, chances are you will see…