News Story – 6th September 2022

According to the Loss Prevention Council & Factory Mutual (LPC & FM), fixed fire protection equipment has a typical working life of between 20 and 25 years. This usually includes a pump, driver (either diesel engine powered or an electric motor) and control panel on a skid chassis pump, complete with lead-acid/ nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries. Natural wear and tear are inevitable from these types of systems. It is well known that degeneration of a pump accelerates with poor service regimes making component failures far more likely and replacement parts more frequent to comply with fire safety standards and legislation. But why are we telling you about the degeneration of fixed fire pump equipment and its working life expectancy?

Well, the last couple of years has brought about serious supply challenges across the pump industry. We are all too familiar with Brexit, the sudden emergence of the pandemic, and of course poor navigational skills from the Suez Canal blockage. All of these events contributed to creating a perfect ‘supply chain storm’ resulting in lengthy delays on everyday items ranging from toilet rolls and food to fence panels.

When it comes to fire pumps, there is no compromise for life. That is their primary function, to protect life, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. For this reason alone, keeping fire pumps maintained and serviced regularly is integral to its optimum functionality, no matter their function in its facility. Asset owners should always prioritise the repair of the pump, driver, and control panel wherever possible ensuring safety comes first at all times. Cutting costs and not prioritising regular maintenance of critical fire pump sets may be a false economy as replacing fixed fire protection equipment is expensive and complex. This is why we want to provide you with a few key takeaways on how to think smart when it comes to your fire pump longevity

Throughout the last two years, supply delays have also impacted the availability of fixed fire protection equipment components. As soon as the equipment is no longer in production, replacement parts quickly stop being as readily available. Eventually, older models and additional features become entirely obsolete. In this specific case, for example, a site with an offline fire pump set that is outdated or beyond repair exposes your organisation to further risk, leaving a potentially expensive replacement as the only available option.

In addition, investing in new fixed fire protection equipment is not a quick process nor the answer. Before CAPEX or funding can be applied, technical visits and site surveys must be conducted to identify the current replacement, investigations must be carried out to identify how to remove the retired equipment and decipher the best way to install the new equipment.

Given the time required to manufacture and deliver this new equipment, organisations risk lengthy periods without protection. One solution may be to invest in standby hire equipment; however, this can add further costs to a project and profound insurance cover implications. Planning and recognising the need to replace fixed fire protection equipment which is nearing the end of its working life means you take control of the end result and you choose how to invest on your terms. Consequently, it comes down to your decision to decide how to move forward with your protection. This is particularly important considering the difficulties in sourcing parts for these older and more obsolete engines, panels, and pumps.

As a renowned and experienced fire pump manufacturer for over 140 years, we have the knowledge to support your business. By speaking to an SPP Pumps fire pump advisor, you can start the process of site surveys and investigate your options before you find yourself in an urgent situation. Speaking with an SPP specialist will give you the time to plan, prepare and find the suitable funds to implement the project and protect people, products, premises, and ultimately your business. SPP Pumps Ltd is approved by the LPC & FM for the design, manufacture, installation and commission of diesel and electrically driven fixed fire protection equipment.

By choosing SPP Pumps, you are enabling our service team to provide you with technical expertise and knowledge, ensuring compliance with your equipment/insurer requirements. If you are worried that your older fire protection equipment may leave your business unprotected and at risk, please reach out and speak to one of our advisors about replacing your options now and avoid making hasty decisions later.

News Story – 22nd July 2022

Caring for the environment and our future is one of our core values here at SPP Pumps and with that mind, we embrace the opportunity to use renewable technologies and conserve energy where we can in our pumping systems and processes around the globe.

Looking at how the world plans to tackle climate change, specific standards were agreed at COP26 last year (November 2021) with one goal to secure a global net zero by 2050 and keep 1.5 degrees within reach. The main standards agreed at COP26 were:

• Accelerating the phase-out of coal
• Curtailing deforestation
• Speeding up the switch to electric vehicles
• Encouraging investment in renewables

To achieve these inspiring targets globally, the pump industry in general will actively need to transition from conventional thermal power to cleaner energy technologies with a higher inclusion of renewable technologies in the global energy mix.

In 2010, renewable technology in the global energy mix share was a modest 8.6% collectively. The use of cleaner renewable technologies is now expected to increase and contribute to the global power sector by 25% by 2025. That is a 17% increase in just over 3 years. This is a clear indication that the role of renewable energies will play in achieving global net zero by mid-century is huge.

As a renowned centrifugal pump manufacturer for over 140 years, SPP Pumps is aware of the challenges that our industry faces. Over the years, we have continued to evolve and adapt to our environment and embrace green and economical change and with that renovate our pump ranges to produce energy – efficient systems for worldwide applications.

Schemes and initiatives are actively being developed and implemented in industries and commercial sectors to make renewable energy more appealing and a viable alternative to conventional thermal power. This is why at SPP Pumps we offer a solution and plan to contribute to renewable technologies in the global energy mix by using Micro Hydropower Systems that use energy from flowing water to produce electrical or mechanical energy via their Pumps as Turbines or better known, (PAT) systems.

The Pumps as Turbines system is a well-known concept in the water supply industry. SPP Pumps have been offering this as a solution since 2009. PAT is the perfect model due to the pumps being less complicated to operate than turbines. When pumps are suitably selected, they offer a great alternative to traditional hydro turbines with a substantial economic advantage. It is an efficient and cost-effective method of generating power as well as recovering energy as you can potentially see a return on investment in as little as three years.

Historically, however, there have been challenges associated with micro-hydropower schemes in the past:

• Non-availability of standardised equipment (normally use Francis or Kaplan turbines)
• The turbines are designed according to the site specification
• Each site is unique in this respect
• As standardised equipment is not available, the usage of electro-mechanical equipment becomes costly.

However, we believe wherever there are challenges, these can always be outweighed by the benefits of such an innovative system. Using a PAT system is almost the perfect solution when considering using hydropower as an alternative to conventional thermal power for cleaner energy technologies.

• Installed in a variety of locations
• Efficiency generated in turbine mode is equal to or slightly higher than those in pump mode
• Pumps are robust
• Pumps and spare parts are more readily accessible than turbines
• The power output of up to 500kW generally but can be up spec
• No requirement for large infrastructure
• Sustainable and environmentally friendly.

There are multiple applications where PATS are installed, we have listed just some examples below:

• Drinking water supply systems (replacing PRV’s and Stilling Basins)
• Pressure control in closed-loop systems
• Pressure drop of head
• On plant process
• Outfalls

• Pumped storage plants
• Barrages/dams
• Rivers or streams
• Retrofit of small hydropower systems (replacement of old and/or redundant turbines)

• In cooling water circulation systems
• Reduction of process water pressure

SPP Pumps has extensive experience of designing and delivering highly efficient Pump as Turbine (PAT) solutions capable of a rapid return on investment. The pressure differential (head) of a water flow provides the opportunity to recover valuable energy in the process. With many years of advanced turbine engineering experience within our team of engineers, SPP Pumps offers field-proven, affordable, low maintenance products and energy-efficient solutions based on simple, readily-available components and spares to your bespoke requirements.

To simply learn more about how these Pump as Turbine (PAT) technologies benefit both the environment, your business and to make a change for the better then please get in touch with your local SPP contact and our team will be happy to help. We look forward to hearing from you.

News Story – 1st March 2022

The pump industry is expanding and forever growing and with this in mind, we at SPP Pumps work hard continuously to adapt and develop our products and services to provide the best customer service to all our current and potential clients around the world. However, with this industry expansion can come legislation and guidance changes. As a well-known fire pump manufacturer, we are aware of how imperative these are to both the industry and also to our environment.

Taking this into account, as of 1^st of April 2022, the UK government has announced that most machines and vehicles will no longer be permitted to use rebated (red) diesel and rebated biofuels. Additionally, rebated fuel use will be limited to certain machines when used for specific purposes. The rebated fuels affected by these government changes are as follows:

• Rebated (red) diesel
• Rebated Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
• Rebated biodiesel and bio-blend
• Fuel substitutes

But before we go any further, let us explain exactly what red diesel is.

Red diesel (cherry red in colour) is a regular diesel fuel that is primarily used in off-road vehicles and machinery. It is used in several industries most of all construction, marine and agriculture. The colour of this fuel bears a lot on how it works with machinery such as its coating properties. It is worth noting, however, that the red dye doesn’t actually change any of the fuel properties as such, it is purely how the fuel lubricates machinery.

As we know, back in 2019 the UK announced their plan to be net-zero by 2050. This objective includes removing greenhouse gas emissions completely by the year 2050 along with many other environmental targets such as the reduction of air pollution which as we know is a very large hazard to the public here in the UK. As mentioned, red diesel is used primarily for off-road practices yet according to GOV.UK, it accounts for about 15% of all the diesel used in the UK and is responsible for the production of nearly 14 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. These figures highlight the negative impact that these fuels have on our environment. As a result, the government has decided to restrict the use of red diesel and other rebated fuels for many machines and vehicles. This change will make a positive effect on both climate change and the world we live in as a whole. Another step closer to a healthier planet.

In the case that a diesel engine driven fire pump is installed within or protecting premises that are used for commercial purposes (for the purpose of making a profit), from 1^st April 2022, it will be illegal to put rebated fuel into the tank. We understand that users may use up the remaining rebated fuel after the rules in premises being used for commercial purposes. However, they will need to be able to satisfy HMRC officers that the fuel was purchased when the machine was permitted to use it and to have had no reason to believe at the time of that purchase that the fuel would not be used illegally in any generator.

We believe, in the event of any doubt, owners and operators alike should seek advice from the HMRC. Contact: oils.policymail@hmrc.gov.uk

At SPP Pumps, we firmly believe that the best practice should be to remove all rebated fuels and red diesel by 01.04.2022 and replenish with duty paid fuels. This opens up an opportunity for many fuel systems and storage tanks to be cleaned, removing all traces of water build-up, dirt, sediment and microbial growth in stored fuels; all of which can prevent the diesel engine from achieving its optimum performance and, in some cases, causing the engine to fail.

Below you can observe samples of diesel fuel in fire pump fuel tanks. Our team found a large percentage of fuel that was contaminated with one or more of the following:

• Water
• Sludge
• Microbial growth
• Silt/sediment

With contaminated fuel such as these, we cannot guarantee that the pump is going to work when it matters, performing to its optimum level and most importantly improving efficiency over time.

We have recently been asking our customers if they would run their cars on this bad/contaminated fuel. We ask you all the same question.

Please take a look at the samples below:

This fuel sample had a lot of bacteria and visible particulates, this can be seen by its poor miscibility and dark colour.

The next sample had large particulate contamination from water and signs of a diesel bug (contamination of the diesel fuel by microbes such as bacteria and/or fungi).

Here, we can see another sample was taken yet the diesel is so poor that a particle count was not even possible.

In the sample above, we can observe that this diesel is of a much clear and bright aesthetic appearance as per ISO code standards. However, it has large floating particulates and a high moisture level.

Here, we can see the same sample as above but correctly meeting ISO code standards.

We fully grasp the intricacy that this change in legislation will cause within the pump industry. With over 140 years of experience and a global principal in the design, supply and servicing of pumps, specifically renowned fire pump packages, you can be safe knowing that SPP Pumps can assist and provide all our customers with the ongoing support they require. This spans from the removal and environmentally compliant disposal of rebated fuels to the installation of automatic fuel conditioning and cleaning of equipment helping prevent the build-up of dirt and sediment in stored fuels.

For further details on the rebated fuels restrictions and preparing for 1^st April 2022, please do take a look at our Guidance on Changes to use of Red Diesel and other Rebated Fuels PDF.

Please do not hesitate to contact our expert team or one of our SPP Pumps service centres for more information on any of the above.