SFN 100G

Common issues

• Loss of prime / air leaks at the suction side reducing pump performance
• Mechanical seal wear or leakage
• Impeller wear-ring clearance increase reducing discharge pressure/capacity
• Coupling misalignment with the driver causing vibration and bearing wear
• Bearing wear/overheating from inadequate lubrication or misalignment
• Corrosion/erosion of casing and impeller in seawater service
• Non-return/foot valve failure causing loss of prime after shutdown

Inspection checklist

• Function test pump start and verify rated discharge pressure/flow at test points
• Check the mechanical seal for leakage
• Verify coupling alignment with the driver
• Check bearing temperature/vibration while running
• Inspect the suction strainer for fouling
• Confirm the non-return/foot valve holds prime after stopping
• Check pump base/foundation bolts for tightness and corrosion
• Verify both remote and local start/control function correctly
• Confirm capacity/pressure meets the SOLAS fire pump requirement (two jets from the highest hydrant)

Service intervals

Typical wear limits

Ranges are typical for this design class. Always confirm against the manufacturer documentation for your serial number.

Critical spares

• Mechanical seal kit
• Impeller wear rings
• Bearing set
• Coupling element/insert
• Shaft sleeve
• Non-return/foot valve

Safety

• This is fire-fighting equipment - any maintenance downtime must be logged with backup fire-fighting means confirmed available per SOLAS
• Pressurised discharge - secure hoses/test connections before running
• Rotating coupling/shaft guards must be in place during operation
• If this unit serves as the emergency fire pump, its independent power source and start arrangement per SOLAS Ch. II-2 must be verified, not just the pump itself

Class survey

Fire pumps are safety-critical SOLAS equipment. Class verifies rated capacity and pressure (two-jet reach requirement) at annual survey, along with the independent power source arrangement if this pump serves as the emergency fire pump. Weekly test records and performance trends are commonly reviewed at survey.

Estimated lifetime: Fire pumps are typically designed for the vessel's operating life, with periodic seal, bearing and wear-ring renewal at overhaul (often every 3-5 years) rather than a fixed running-hour limit, given they mainly run for tests and drills.