Marine Copper Emergency Fire Pump

I. Product Overview

Marine copper emergency fire pumps are the "last line of defense" in a ship's emergency fire-fighting system, designed specifically for emergency fire suppression when the main fire pump fails or the fire spreads. Constructed with high-strength tin bronze (ZCuSn12Ni2) or corrosion-resistant naval brass (HNi65-5) as core materials, they achieve rapid pressurized delivery of seawater, freshwater, and foam mixtures through self-priming centrifugal pump principles. Their working principle involves an independent power source (diesel engine or emergency motor) driving an impeller to rotate at high speed, creating a vacuum to self-prime water sources (overboard seawater or emergency fire water tanks) without external priming. The water is then pressurized and delivered to the fire site via dedicated emergency pipelines, ensuring a continuous fire-fighting water flow for ≥30 minutes when the main system is disabled. The pump body undergoes salt spray protection and precision machining, with a corrosion-resistant service life of ≥10 years in high-humidity and vibrating environments. It meets the mandatory requirements for "emergency fire pumps" in Chapter 14 of IMO International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) and emergency equipment certifications from classification societies such as LR and ABS, and is mandatory for all ships over 500 gross tons.

II. Core Technologies and Material Characteristics

1.Copper Material Selection and Performance

2.Key Technical Parameters

Flow range: 15-150m³/h, suitable for ships of 500-50,000 gross tons (e.g., 10,000 gross ton ships require flow ≥50m³/h)

Head requirement: ≥100m under rated conditions, ensuring the emergency water cannon has a maximum range of ≥40 meters (covering the ship's largest cabins)

Self-priming performance: Self-priming height ≥6m, priming time ≤30 seconds (50% faster than ordinary fire pumps), fully meeting IMO "immediate start" requirements

Medium compatibility: Capable of conveying seawater (Cl⁻≤40,000ppm), freshwater, 6% concentration foam, and cooling water with sediment content ≤2%

Environmental adaptability: Operates in a wide temperature range of -30℃~70℃, withstanding extreme ship conditions of ±22.5° heel and ±10° trim

3.Emergency Safety Design

Equipped with an independent diesel engine power source (fuel reserve ≥3 hours), completely isolated from the main power supply to ensure startup even when the main power grid fails

Integrates overpressure protection and dry-running shutdown devices: Automatically relieves pressure when outlet pressure exceeds 1.2 times the rated value; shuts down within 5 seconds of dry running for protection

Lightweight structure: 25% lighter than stainless steel emergency pumps of the same flow rate, with weight ≤800kg, suitable for installation in narrow engine rooms

III. Technical Advantages and Innovative Design

1. Rapid Emergency Response Capability

Two-stage impeller pressurization: Adopts a series two-stage impeller design with single-stage head ≥50m and total head up to 120m, establishing rated pressure within 30 seconds, 40% faster than single-stage pumps.

Independent fuel supply: The diesel engine fuel tank is isolated from the ship's main fuel tank, with a low fuel level alarm (triggered when remaining fuel ≤1 hour) to ensure no fuel supply interruption during emergencies.

2. Reliability in Extreme Environments

Vibration-resistant structure: The pump unit and base use a rubber shock absorber + spring composite damping system, with vibration ≤3.0mm/s, ensuring stable operation in the high-vibration environment of the main engine room.

Low-temperature startup guarantee: Polar-type pumps integrate electric heating jackets (5kW power), enabling startup after 10 minutes of preheating in -30℃ environments, reducing oil viscosity from 1000cSt to below 200cSt.

3. Full Working Condition Adaptability

Efficient foam delivery: The flow channel adopts a gradually expanding design, with foam defoaming rate ≤5% (15% for ordinary pumps), ensuring stable fire-extinguishing concentration (6±0.5%).

Anti-clogging impeller: Open impeller + serrated blade design can shred impurities ≤10mm in diameter (e.g., plastic fragments), reducing clogging rate by 90% compared to closed impellers.

IV. Typical Application Scenarios

1. Emergency Response to Main Fire System Failure

Main engine room fire: When the main fire pump fails due to high temperatures, tin bronze emergency fire pumps (flow 80-120m³/h) spray high-pressure water into the engine room through independent pipelines, with a 100m head covering 3 deck levels, cooperating with foam systems to control fire spread.

Firefighting during power outage: After the ship's power grid fails, diesel engine-driven emergency fire pumps start within 30 seconds, with flow 50-80m³/h, providing continuous fire-fighting water to key areas such as the bridge and passenger cabins until external power is restored.

2. Adaptation to Special Ships

Oil tanker cargo hold fire fighting: Explosion-proof tin bronze emergency pumps (Ex d IIB T4) with flow 100-150m³/h deliver seawater to cargo hold deck water mist systems, controlling crude oil leakage fires through cooling and suffocation.

Polar research vessel emergencies: HNi65-5 brass emergency pumps in -25℃ environments maintain a pump body temperature ≥5℃ through heating jackets, with flow 30-60m³/h, providing fire protection for deck operations during ice-breaking.

3. Operations in Extreme Sea Conditions

Firefighting in rough seas: In severe sea conditions with 20° ship heel, emergency fire pumps maintain stable flow (fluctuation ≤±5%), ensuring water cannons accurately target the fire source and avoiding interruption due.

Emergency response to grounding: After a ship grounds, emergency pumps draw seawater from low-side suction ports, with flow 40-80m³/h, providing fire-fighting support for fires caused by oil leakage in grounded areas.

V. Selection and Maintenance Specifications

1. Key Selection Parameters

Ship tonnage: 15-50m³/h for 500-3000 gross tons; 50-150m³/h for 3000-50,000 gross tons

Navigation area: Tin bronze for ocean-going ships; naval brass for inland/polar ships

Power type: "Diesel engine + motor" dual power recommended for passenger ships; pure diesel engine drive optional for cargo ships (15% lower cost)

2. Maintenance Points

Daily testing: Start once a week (run for 5 minutes); full-load operation for 30 minutes monthly; record outlet pressure (≥90% of rated value)

Regular maintenance: Replace diesel filters every 6 months; inspect impeller wear annually (allowable radial clearance ≤0.3mm); replace mechanical seals (fluororubber material)

Emergency drills: Conduct simulated main power failure start-ups quarterly, ensuring rated head is reached within 30 seconds and fuel reserve ≥3 hours

3. Certification Inspection

Pass classification society inspection every 2 years, focusing on testing self-priming time (≤30 seconds) and diesel engine continuous operation capability (3-hour trouble-free run)

VI. Compliance and Certification

International mandatory standards: Complies with Chapter 14 of IMO FSS Code and Chapter II-2 of SOLAS Convention for emergency fire pumps

Classification society certifications: Passed "emergency fire pump type approval" by LR, ABS, and CCS (including 1000-hour extreme condition tests)

Performance requirements: Must meet three core indicators: "standalone operation," "startup within 30 seconds," and "3-hour continuous operation"