What is the role of a fire pump controller?

• A. It primes the pump.
• B. It starts/stops the pump, monitors status, and issues alarms for faults or conditions.
• C. It vents the pump room.
• D. It supplies power to the pump.

Answer: (B)

The function being tested is that the fire pump controller manages the pump’s operation: it starts and stops the pump as needed, continuously monitors the pump’s status, and raises alarms when faults or unfavorable conditions are detected. This controller typically responds to signals from the fire protection system—such as pressure or flow demand—and can initiate automatic starts, allow manual control, and shut the pump off when the system no longer requires backup pressure. It also monitors important conditions like the run status, faults, interlocks, and power/controls health, and communicates alarms to the fire alarm system or maintenance personnel. The controller does not vent the pump room, nor does it itself supply power to the pump; those duties belong to the electrical power system and the motor starter. Priming the pump isn’t the controller’s job either—the controller handles control and monitoring, while priming is a separate mechanical/process function.