Which instrument is used to generate flow readings during a fire pump test?

Which instrument is used to generate flow readings during a fire pump test?

• A. Pitot gauge
• B. Multimeter
• C. Tachometer
• D. Hydrometer

Answer: (A)

Measuring how fast water is moving in the discharge line is essential to determine the pump’s flow rate during a fire pump test. A Pitot gauge does this by measuring the velocity pressure in the flowing water. A Pitot tube is placed in the flow to capture the dynamic (velocity) pressure, and with the pipe size known, you can calculate the flow velocity and then convert that to a flow rate (such as gallons per minute). The other instruments don’t measure flow: a multimeter checks electrical properties, a tachometer measures rotational speed, and a hydrometer measures liquid density, none of which directly provide flow readings in the piping.

Measuring how fast water is moving in the discharge line is essential to determine the pump’s flow rate during a fire pump test. A Pitot gauge does this by measuring the velocity pressure in the flowing water. A Pitot tube is placed in the flow to capture the dynamic (velocity) pressure, and with the pipe size known, you can calculate the flow velocity and then convert that to a flow rate (such as gallons per minute). The other instruments don’t measure flow: a multimeter checks electrical properties, a tachometer measures rotational speed, and a hydrometer measures liquid density, none of which directly provide flow readings in the piping.