Fire Pump Market

Horizontal split case pumps are normally powered by electric motors or diesel engines. In some cases, the horizontal split case fire pump can have multiple impellers, or multi-stage designs to provide higher pressures. All horizontal split case fire pumps are dependable, designed robust, with high reliability and dynamic performance, and lower on operating cost. Horizontal split case fire pumps are also able to handle very large flow rates and pressures that they are sometimes thought of for pumping water supplies for very large occupancy buildings or spaces, say for commercial and industrial, large fabrication plants, and maybe high-rise buildings such as skyscrapers in urban settings. The size and capacity range of horizontal split case pumps is infinite, very commonly used, and may be one of largest pump types used when reliable water supply is paramount in fire protection systems.

Electric fire pumps are designed for efficiency, reliability, and maintenance. The modern electric motor used in electric pumps is often a Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled motor (TEFC) preventing dust or moisture from entering the motor which is important where fire pumps are intended to be used. Electric fire pumps can be equipped with automatic control that operate in response to a drop in pressure or a signal from a fire alarm system, to ensure fast and reliable water delivery when a fire is detected. Electric fire pumps come in a variety of configurations, such as horizontal split case, vertical in-line, end suction, and vertical turbine, so there is an electric fire pump available for most fire protection applications.

The installation of electric fire pumps also needs to be carefully considered from a power supply reliability viewpoint since any power loss could mean the fire protection system would be rendered useless. This is one reason many electric fire pumps have backup generators or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) installed for critical systems. Electric fire pumps have a long service life and minimal maintenance requirements, and they are manufactured to comply with rigorous fire safety regulations like NFPA 20. Electric fire pumps will be the first choice in applications with environmental concerns, noise concerns and efficiency issues.

Motor-driven fire pumps are used in many applications including commercial buildings, residential buildings, and industrial applications. Motor-driven fire pumps can also be found in many configurations including horizontal split case, vertical in-line, and end suction pumps. They can be in many separate locations and in many different configurations depending on the design of the building and the fire protection requirements of the building. The motor typically mounts to the pump directly or via a flexible coupling. The entire system can be integrated with automatic controls which monitor system pressure and activate the pump when required.

Motor-driven fire pumps are the preferred choice in most modern fire protection systems because of their basic installation, lower cost of operation, and limited infrastructure requirements when compared with engine driven fire pumps. Developments in motor technology (e.g., variable frequency drives - VFDs) have improved the reliability and efficiency of the electric motor pump configuration and allow for greater control of flow and pressure of water required for fire protection systems. As the demand for energy efficiency and sustainable fire protection continues to increase, motor-driven fire pumps will continue to dominate the fire pump market.

The design of fire pumps intended for industrial applications are frequently based on high-flow, durable pressure, and redundancy for additional confidence in maintaining continual operations. Fire pumps are typically diesel-powered or electric driven and may have redundant systems based upon stringent regulatory codes, but they may not have the increased level of redundancy of a fire pump built on a prime power system, like a diesel engine designed and installed to perform "like a fire pump", true redundancy based on rigorous standards such as NFPA 20, on electricity to fire (NFPA 20) regulated code.  Industrial fire pumps are usually enhanced with integrated monitoring and/or control systems to provide optimal oversight, including wellbeing programs to monitor maintenance conditions proactively.

Oil and gas facilities typically will also work with diesel-driven fire pumps again for reliability but also because they are not using an electrical infrastructure for operation. This also includes the pump being fully integrated with either foam systems or additional suppression technology when a fire has hydrocarbons present. Similarly, fire pumps for the oil and gas sector are built to take robustness, corrosion, and redundancy to the next level in design and capabilities just like the oil and gas sector is for their assets. 

Duplicate regulatory requirements, and violent monetary and environmental losses compel a continual investment in advanced fire pump systems, due to the oil and gas sector's strong contribution to the industrial fire pump market, and ardent demand for advanced solutions to help mitigate safety risks and operational resiliency.

The distributor and dealer model can be characterized by widespread regional networks providing manufacturers with the ability to market more broadly and into new geographical areas. Distributors and dealers typically have relationships with local contractors, architects, and engineering firms, which can stimulate demand and help ensure the fire pump system has been installed correctly. They offer value-added services like system design, installation support, and maintenance related activities which are important for satisfaction and regulation compliance. In most markets, distributors and dealers account for most fire pump sales, especially with standard and off-the-shelf products. 

The indirect sales channel is expected to continue to grow efficiently, serving diverse customer needs, enabling manufacturers to reduce overhead costs, sending products, providing a swift purchasing opportunity for various customers, and supporting market share growth. As the fire pump market continues to expand globally, the application of distributors and dealers to connect manufacturers with end-users is paramount to success in this industry.

Figure 1: Fire Pump Market, By Distribution Channel, 2024 & 2035 (USD Million)