WATEX End Suction Fire Pump System

The WATEX End Suction Fire Pump System is a comprehensive firefighting pump solution designed to provide the required water flow and pressure for fire protection networks across a wide range of projects. The system is based on the WATEX WE Series End Suction Pumps, which are horizontal, single-stage centrifugal pumps with axial inlets, specifically designed for firefighting applications in accordance with NFPA 20 requirements, with specifications associated with UL 448 and FM approvals.

The system consists of three main units working together as an integrated fire pump package: a Main Electric Driven Fire Pump serving as the primary firefighting pump, a Standby Diesel Driven Fire Pump providing backup operation, and a Jockey Pump used within the pump package to maintain pressure in the fire protection network. This configuration allows the system to be selected according to each project's required flow rate, operating pressure, and motor capacity.

The WATEX WE Series features an End Suction design. According to the technical catalogue, the series covers flow rates of up to 1,000 GPM, pressures of up to 229 PSI, and operating temperatures of up to 105°C. The pumps use Soft Packing for shaft sealing and can be driven by either electric motors or combustion engines according to system requirements.

The reviewed systems are available in several configurations to meet different project requirements, including 250 GPM at 8 Bar, 500 GPM at 8 Bar, 750 GPM at 8 Bar, and 1,000 GPM at 9 Bar. These capacities are not separate products; rather, they represent different technical configurations within the WATEX End Suction Fire Pump System family, with the pump model, motor rating, and component specifications selected according to the required operating point.

For the 250 GPM @ 8 Bar configuration, the system uses a WATEX WE 65-260 End Suction Pump operating at 2,950 RPM. The pump features a Cast Iron casing, Bronze impeller, Stainless-Steel shaft, and Bronze shaft sleeves. The electric-driven pump uses a 50 HP motor, while the standby pump is powered by a Kirloskar KFP4R-UF05 diesel engine rated at 55 HP and 3,000 RPM.

The 500 GPM @ 8 Bar configuration utilizes a WATEX WE 80-260 pump operating at 2,950 RPM, with a 75 HP electric motor and a 76 HP Kirloskar KFP4R-UF08 diesel engine. This configuration also incorporates a WATEX RV4-12 Vertical Multistage Jockey Pump rated at 2.2 kW, with a duty point of 22 GPM at 90 meters.

For the 750 GPM @ 8 Bar configuration, the system uses a WATEX WE 100-260 End Suction Pump. The documentation for the standby unit specifies a Kirloskar KFP4R-UF16R2 diesel engine rated at 116 HP and operating at 3,000 RPM. This configuration remains part of the same WE End Suction family, with increased power and specifications to accommodate the higher required flow rate.

The 1,000 GPM @ 9 Bar configuration also uses a WATEX WE 100-260 End Suction Pump operating at 2,950 RPM, but with higher power ratings to meet the required flow. The system uses a 125 HP electric motor, while the standby pump is powered by a Kirloskar KFP4R-UF16R1 diesel engine rated at 152 HP.

The 1,000 GPM configuration also includes a WATEX RV10-14 Vertical Multistage Jockey Pump rated at 5.5 kW and operating at 2,900 RPM, with a duty point of 50 GPM at 100 meters. The technical documentation also specifies Tornatech controllers as part of this configuration.

One of the key characteristics of the WATEX WE Series is the availability of multiple pump models, allowing it to cover a broad range of fire protection requirements. Models listed in the technical documentation include WE 50-260, WE 50-315, WE 65-260, WE 65-315, WE 80-260, WE 80-315, WE 100-260, and WE 100-315, allowing the appropriate model to be selected according to the required flow, pressure, and operating point.

The WE Series is also designed to accommodate either an Electric Motor or Combustion Engine as the prime mover, with different operating speeds and performance options available according to user requirements. The technical documentation indicates that the hydraulic design of the pumps is intended to meet firefighting application requirements while providing multiple performance options within the same pump series.

The WATEX system extends beyond the main fire pump by integrating the Electric Driven Fire Pump, Diesel Driven Fire Pump, and Jockey Pump, together with the associated operating and control components, into a complete fire pump package. This approach allows the specifications of each component to be selected according to the individual project's requirements rather than relying on a single fixed configuration for every application.

A major advantage of the system is its flexibility in capacity selection. The reviewed configurations range from 250 GPM to 1,000 GPM within the End Suction family, with different operating pressures. As the required flow rate increases, the pump model, motor capacities, and Jockey Pump specifications can be adjusted to match the required operating point.

The documentation for the WE Series also indicates that its design is intended to cover a broad performance range through multiple pump models, with both electric motors and combustion engines available as prime movers. This flexibility enables the pump package to be configured according to the specific technical requirements of each fire protection network.

By combining End Suction Centrifugal Pump Technology, a main electric-driven fire pump, a standby diesel-driven fire pump, a Jockey Pump, and control systems, the WATEX End Suction Fire Pump System provides an integrated range of water-pumping solutions for firefighting applications, with multiple capacities and pump models available to meet different project requirements.

Overall, the system provides a flexible solution ranging from 250 GPM @ 8 Bar to 1,000 GPM @ 9 Bar within the reviewed documentation. The fire pump package can be configured according to the project's required flow and pressure, allowing the WATEX End Suction Fire Pump System to combine multiple operating options, robust system configuration, and flexibility in meeting the technical requirements of different fire protection projects.