End suction pumps designed specifically for fighting fires are an integral component of the majority of water-based fire protection systems. When a water source's pressure (expressed in square inches and bars) is not adequate for the pump system that supplies it, these devices are put to use to boost that pressure using the water source in question. The majority of the time, you can find them in high-rise buildings or storage warehouses because these are the types of facilities that are in the most demand. This article will provide an overview of the various options for fire pumps that are available to designers. There is a wide variety of fire pumps available. 
It is necessary to determine the appropriate type of pump for your installation project in order to prevent incurring unnecessary costs and operating at high pressures, both of which have the potential to cause harm to your system. In the event that not all of the relevant considerations are taken into account, the pressure requirements for the pump installation might not be satisfied, which might necessitate the purchase and installation of a new pump. There are primarily two types of pumps, which are known as centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps.
- Positive Displacement Pumps: Positive displacement pumps have a way of creating a flow that involves catching a specific volume of water for each rotation of the pump and then forcing that water through the discharge line. Positive displacement pumps are also known as axial flow pumps.
The common type of pump known as a positive displacement pump can be shown by the example of a bicycle frame pump. In contrast to centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps generate very high pressures but have a lower capacity for the volume of fluid they can move. Because of their specialized applications, which are mostly in water mist and foam systems, they are not very popular.
- Centrifugal Pump: The majority of fire suppression systems utilize centrifugal pumps as their primary fire pump type. The majority of the pressure that is generated by centrifugal pumps comes from the centrifugal force, also known as the circulating force.
When using centrifugal pumps, water enters the suction intake, then travels to the center of the impeller, where it exits the pump. In its turn, the revolution of the paddle wheel causes the water to be propelled toward the edge where it is discharged by centrifugal force. This takes place as a result of centrifugal force. Pumps that use centrifugal force can move massive volumes of water while simultaneously producing pulsations of high pressure. The following is a list of various configurations for centrifugal pumps:
- End Suction Pump: The vacuum output of the end suction pump is oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the suction input. These pumps typically have a capacity of no more than approximately 5,678 liters per minute (nearly 1,500 gallons per minute).
They are more compact than horizontal fire pumps and require less installation space in a fire pump chamber, which is beneficial in situations when there is a shortage of available space. Pumps that work off of end suction can be driven by either an electric motor or a diesel engine.
- Horizontal Split-Case pump: When the pump has a horizontal casing, the flow is split and enters the impeller from opposing sides of the casing. It is a pump that is placed on a separate body, as the name suggests. This body may be opened to provide access to the pump's maintenance, and it is connected to the motor by a horizontal shaft.
They are exceptionally dependable, come in a broad variety of flow rates and pressures, are simple to maintain as a result of comparatively easy access to a split crankcase, and can be utilized with either diesel or electric engines. However, the space requirements for these pumps are often the highest among the various types of fire pumps.
- Vertical Turbine Pump: The vertical turbine pump is the only type of pump that is permitted by NFPA 20, which is a standard for the installation of stationary fire protection pumps that can start with negative suction pressure or take water in an elevated condition, such as a lower quality source, as a river reservoir or substrate.
NFPA 20 is a standard for the installation of fire protection pumps that can start with negative suction pressure or take water in an elevated condition. Ponds, lakes, and rivers are all examples of raw water sources that are suitable for use with these pumps. There is a large variety of capacities and pressures available for vertical turbine pumps, and these pumps are compatible with either diesel or electric engines.
- In-Line Pump: When there is a limited amount of room, the pumps that are included are helpful. Both a vertical and a horizontal shaft are able to move it (end suction type). The impeller in pumps with vertical shafts, which are the most common form, is often positioned directly above the pump.
This is one of the units that are the least expensive overall and takes up the least amount of space, but it is also one of the units that has one of the highest repair costs. In contrast to a split case unit, the pump cannot be accessed without first lifting and removing the motor. This makes it more difficult to do maintenance and repairs on the pump. The suction flange of these pumps and the discharge flange are approximately aligned in the same plane when using these pumps. Inline pumps have a limited capacity that normally does not surpass 1,500 gallons per minute (5678 L/min). Additionally, inline pumps can only be used in conjunction with an electric control unit, which significantly restricts the number of applications that can make use of these pumps.