*Excerpt below from pmengineer.com 

Armstrong Fluid Technology has started to emphasize its variable-speed pump expertise to the fire-protection market. Armstrong Product Marketing Manager Stephen Baird states the technology has been around more than a decade, but clients have yet to fully jump on board.

“It is new, but it isn’t too new,” he says. “Variable-speed fire-pump controllers have been around for about 15 years now and are available, but not a lot of people are taking advantage of it.”

Baird believes the reason for slow adoption of variable-speed pumps for fire protection is because industry members like to stay with tried-and-true solutions. Cost also has been a hindrance.

He also says the demand for new technology and products continues to stem from growth in the cities and elsewhere.

“You keep seeing taller, larger buildings,” he says. “You are seeing more and more demand for high-pressure pumps for those high-rises and at the same time you’re seeing larger warehouses, which require larger flows.”

Code compliance

Armstrong Fluid Technology is excited about a vote that will happen during the NFPA Expo. The company worked with the NFPA 20 committee to modify a version of HVAC pumps featuring a drive mounted directly on the pump. If approved by vote during the event, the code will be changed for the 2019 edition.

“It is being called a self-regulating, variable-speed fire pump unit,” Baird states. “Essentially the concept is you’re approving a pump with low-end drive and bypass as a single unit.”

Follow along on social media using hashtags #NFPAconf & #PumpTalk!