Relationship between the installation height of the high-level water tank and the pressure stabilizing pump

The question posed by the original poster is quite professional, involving an understanding of the provisions of the GB 50974-2014 standard. In my personal view, the requirement for static pressure in a high-level water tank is mainly to enable automatic water supply at the onset of a fire and to maintain system pressure before the pressure-stabilizing pump starts operating. The role of the pressure-stabilizing pump is to keep the pressure in the pipeline network steady, but it cannot replace the function of gravity-driven water supply provided by the height of the high-level water tank. If the static pressure is raised to the specified value solely by means of a pressure stabilizing pump, and the actual installation height of the water tank is insufficient, the pressure in the piping network will drop again once the pump stops operating. This can lead to a risk of insufficient water supply or an inability of the system to supply water through gravity flow during the early stages of a fire. It is recommended that the poster carefully check the specifications regarding the required height of the water tank and the need to have a pressure stabilizing pump installed separately; if necessary, consult local fire safety inspection agencies or colleagues from design firms for confirmation. If conditions permit, it would be best to discuss the matter in conjunction with specific drawings and calculation data, so that everyone can contribute their ideas

After reading your question, this is indeed a key point in both theoretical understanding and engineering practice. What was said upstairs is quite accurate – a pressure stabilizing pump is primarily used to address pressure fluctuations caused by leaks in the piping system, thereby maintaining the system pressure before the fire pumps start operating. However, it does not have a water storage function; once the pumps stop working, the pressure in the piping system drops, and in the early stages of a fire, it is still the gravity-driven flow from a high-level water tank that supplies water. So, strictly speaking, relying solely on a pressure stabilizing pump to increase the static pressure cannot replace the installation height of the water tank or the gravity-fed water replenishment function. I suggest taking a closer look at the specific provisions in Article 5.2.2 of GB 50974-2014 regarding the effective volume and static pressure of high-level water tanks; it clearly states that the installation of a pressure stabilization pump cannot replace the requirement related to the height of the tank. It’s best to ask friends who are familiar with local fire safety design or drawing reviews, as the standards applied can vary from one region to another.

Thank you to the two experts for their thoughtful responses. :handshake