Which centrifugal pump configuration is NOT permitted for fire pumps?

• A. End-suction
• B. Horizontal split-case
• C. Vertical inline
• D. Vertical turbine

Answer: (D)

Vertical turbine pumps aren’t approved for standard fire pump service. Fire pumps must be reliable, easy to prime, and straightforward to service in a fire situation, and the configurations normally used—end-suction, horizontal split-case, and vertical inline—fit those requirements well. They are compact, have favorable suction characteristics, and are readily primed and maintained in typical pump rooms. A vertical turbine pump, while excellent for deep-suction or high-head applications such as wells, involves a different installation and priming setup that NFPA 20 does not designate for standard fire protection duty. It’s not considered a permitted fire pump configuration, hence the choice.