A lot of departments specify apparatus with 1,000gpm or 1,250gpm pumps because they feel they can't justify anything larger. If someone suggests using 1,500gpm or bigger pumps, they say "we don't need them" or "we can't use them.” Sometimes they simply say "we can't afford them".

Departments that take the time to evaluate the benefits of bigger pumps, however, often end up saying "we might need them" or "we could use them.” A few even say "they can pay for themselves."

If your department is thinking about buying a new apparatus, here are five good reasons to specify a big pump.

ISO pump capacity
The Insurance Services Office rates fire departments based on a number of factors. One important factor is the total pump capacity available to meet needed fire flows.

ISO establishes needed fire flows for structures based on the type of construction, square footage, distance from surrounding exposures and other factors. Departments in areas where the number or size of new commercial buildings has grown may need to upgrade their total pump capacities. One way to do this without adding apparatus or personnel is to purchase new engines with larger pumps to replace their old engines.

Specifiying new engines with larger pumps can also decrease the time and costs associated with annual pump maintenance and testing. For example, two new 1,500gpm pumpers will require fewer repairs and be less expensive to pump test than three older 1,000gpm pumpers.

Hose relays
Hose relays using large pumps matched with large-diameter hose can help departments improve their firefighting capabilities, as well as boost their ISO water supply ratings.

The benefits of using large pumps and large hose apply to departments operating in areas both with and without hydrants. For example, when taking water from a hydrant with low residual pressure, a 1,500gpm pump operating at 150psi can relay its full flowrate through more than 1,000 feet of 5-inch hose to a second pumper at the fire scene. When drafting from an open water source, the same 1,500gpm pump can take advantage of its flow rating at 200psi to deliver about 1,000gpm through more than 3,000 feet of 5-inch hose for very long hose relays.

Big fires
Some departments shy away from specifying large pumps because all their fires are small. As a result, they aren’t prepared when "the big one" comes.

Every area has the potential for big fires. Target hazards such as feed mills, grain elevators, lumber yards, packing sheds, strip malls, paper-product recycling plants and many others can be found in almost any town. Add run-down areas with abandoned buildings, and you have all the ingredients for a big fire.

Apparatus with big pumps have two advantages in dealing with big fires. The most obvious is that they have the ability to produce the high flowrates needed to attack these fires once they've grown. Equally important, they have the ability to hit the fires with a lot of water in the early stages to keep them from growing larger. Rather than waiting for several pumpers to arrive before initiating an aggressive attack, some departments use a single pumper with a big pump to mount a "blitz attack" from monitors and handlines to knock down the fire quickly.

Future growth
Another excellent reason for specifying big pumps on new apparatus is future growth. Most engines are kept in service for 10, 15 or even 20 years. A lot can happen in that time, and departments need to look to their future needs.

If you live anywhere near an expanding urban area, you can expect significant growth in the coming years. Farms and orchards can turn into apartments and condos almost overnight, and every highway interchange just begs for its share of motels, restaurants and big retail stores.

Departments that have experienced sudden surges in growth will tell you that specifying larger pumps on their apparatus was a smart move. The 1,000gpm pumpers they used before weren't enough to deal with the fire hazards posed by new buildings. In some cases, the buildings grew up as well as out, and departments had to add aerials or quints with large pumps to maintain their ISO ratings.

Resale value
Finally, apparatus equipped with big pumps often can pay for themselves in resale value. Given two used engines of the same age and condition, the one with the larger pump usually will be easier to sell and generally will command a higher price.

For example, many departments looking for used engines need to uprate their total pump capacity but can't afford new apparatus. Good used engines with big pumps are ideal for them. Other departments may need to temporarily replace older engines until they develop funds to purchase new ones. Purchasing used engines with big pumps gives them good short-term investments that they can resell profitably in a few years.

Some people who deal with used apparatus say that engines with 1,500gpm midship pumps command the highest resale value. In a few cases, pumps up to 2,000gpm find ready buyers. These engines usually have larger motors to match the larger pumps, which can be an attractive feature for departments operating in areas with steep grades.

Bigger can be better
While big pumps may not fit the needs of every department, there are lots of reasons for considering them on your next apparatus. Better ISO ratings, improved water supply, ability to handle large fires, capacity for future growth and excellent resale value are all good reasons why bigger can be better.