What group of devices governs starting and stopping of the fire pump driver and monitors the status of the pump unit?

• A. Pump Control Panel
• B. Fire Pump Unit
• C. Control Panel
• D. Fire Pump Controller

Answer: (D)

The starting and stopping of the fire pump driver, along with monitoring the pump’s status, are handled by the fire pump controller. This device accepts start signals from various sources (pressure switches, manual starts, or automatic controls), energizes or de-energizes the pump driver, and sequences the pump’s operation while watching for run status and faults. It also communicates alarms or status to the fire alarm or building management system. The pump unit itself is the mechanical pump and driver, not the controller, so it doesn’t manage start/stop logic. The term control panel is a general enclosure for electrical controls, but the specialized function of initiating, controlling, and monitoring the pump is performed by the fire pump controller.