SPP Pumps discusses the critical role of pumps, performance testing, and the skilled workers that keep everything moving forward.

“The majority of pumps operating today are essential – working to provide some of the most critical functions required in hospitals, emergency water distribution systems and fire protection systems,” explains John Kahren, President of SPP Pumps, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of pumps and pumping systems for the water, oil and gas, power generation, construction, mining, municipal, commercial, and industrial markets. “When the coronavirus became a serious issue in the U.S. in early March, we knew the need for pumps was not going to disappear. Our leadership team jumped into high gear to implement new processes and procedures that would allow us to keep our employees, vendors, and customers safe while we continued at full production capacity. We are proud of our essential employees who have stepped up during the pandemic and continue to be the hard-working heart of our operations.”

With the U.S. supply chain for fire pumps being mainly positioned in North America, SPP Pumps has not had any significant disruptions in their ability to source materials and manufacture pumps and packaged pumping systems for the various markets they serve. “Our ability to provide fire pumps, multi-stage multi-outlet pumps (MSMOs) and essential equipment during this period will be a critical point to re-opening America,” declares John. “While some job sites have been temporarily shut down, this equipment will be needed once the economy starts back up.”

With a large order for 900 fire pumps currently underway, the SPP Team is in the process of performance testing the equipment in their brand new test rig located inside their 155,000 square foot ISO 9001 accredited facility. Based in Atlanta, this enhanced test rig will soon be UL / ULC Listed and FM Approved for fire pumps, with testing capacities increased to performance test pumps up through 500-horsepower and 10,000 US gallons per minute. With an 18-inch suction header and 16” discharge header, the test rig utilizes a 500-horsepower WEG motor and Mitsubishi variable frequency drive (VFD). Complete with digital data acquisition, this test rig is configured with a 9,000 gallon stainless steel pressurized suction tank. In the same facility, there is an additional 400-horsepower vertical turbine test rig with the capacity to test pumps up to 10,000 US GPM. “We have testing facilities all over the world, but the engineered upgrades we’ve made to our Atlanta test rig will allow us to confirm operating performance for multiple pumps at a time,” states Matt Weber, Sales Manager at SPP Pumps. “This will be extremely helpful in executing the high number of expedite pump requests we see in the fire pump market, and we are especially looking forward to obtaining certification of the new test rig through the Hydraulic Institute’s Pump Test Lab Approval Program. This certification will prove our compliance to quality programs, procedures, and instrument calibration to ISO 17025 and pump testing to HI 40.6 (Methods for Rotodynamic Pump Efficiency Testing).”

“Ultimately, we recognize that lives, properties and livelihoods can depend on a pump’s performance,” shares John Kahren. “We’re not just a pump manufacturer. We’re a service-based organization. Our people go the extra mile to provide pumps, parts, equipment, and service in a way that has a real impact on the world in which we live. SPP Pumps is ready to support what is needed when America gets back to work. We are ready to support the USA markets with the re-emergence of our industry.

About SPP Pumps

For more than 130 years, SPP Pumps has been a leading manufacturer, supplier and service provider for centrifugal pumps and associated systems, pump packages, and equipment for a wide range of applications and industry sectors. Learn more at spppumps.com.