Blog
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…
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…
Do I Need a Main Relief Valve on Diesel Fire Pumps?
October 18, 2013One of the more common misconceptions we see when it comes to diesel fire pumps is that you are no longer required to have a main relief valve, also incorrectly referred to as a relief valve in some cases, for your fire pump installation. In order to comply with the National Fire Protection Association’s code…
Pentair Nijhuis Merges with Fairbanks Morse
September 19, 2013Earlier this year Pentair Nijhuis and Fairbanks Morse announced a merger to bring together two of the leading brands in the fire protection market. In response to this news, we have begun carrying the Fairbanks Nijhuis line of products! If you are looking for anything from compact fire pump systems to vertical turbine fire pumps…
Steven Brown & Associates Joins the Social Crowd
August 29, 2013In order to be available across all mediums, we’ve joined the social media crowd! Comments, questions or concerns about fire pump sales and service can now also be directed to us in the popular social space. Our new Facebook page, LinkedIn page, and this blog will serve as additional points of contact for you to…