# Fire pump testing: what an owner should request

Prepare for a pump flow test, ask for comparable results and keep a report that supports corrective action.

Updated 2026-11-10. Also on the [web page](https://firesprinklers.fyi/guides/fire-pump-testing-for-building-owners).

A pump test should leave you with measured results and a clear account of defects. QRFS's annual flow test guide explains that NFPA 25 calls for an annual pump assembly flow test by qualified personnel. Confirm the adopted edition and the exact test plan for your installation.

## Know which test is being quoted

A routine pump run is not the same scope as a full flow test. Ask the contractor to name the task and identify the driver, controller, test connection and water supply arrangement. Send the last report and the original acceptance data if you have them.

The QRFS guide describes testing at no flow, rated flow and 150 percent of rated pump capacity, with a stated limitation when the supply cannot support that flow. These are source-specific summary points, not instructions for an owner to run a test. Ask the contractor to document the applicable method and any limitation.

## Agree on site arrangements

Ask how the contractor will handle water discharge, drainage, access and communication with the building team. Ask whether the work affects protection and who manages any necessary impairment procedure. Coordinate with the responsible fire protection professional and the authority where required.

Do not accept a plan that leaves nobody responsible for restoring normal service. Ask for the restoration check and its record as part of the agreed work.

## Read the report as a decision record

QRFS lists report contents that include suction and discharge pressures, pump speed, flow, relevant electrical readings, performance data, deficiencies and comparisons with earlier tests. Request the applicable readings, not just a pass label.

| Report question | Follow-up |
|---|---|
| What was tested? | Match the pump identifier and driver to the asset register. |
| What conditions affected results? | Ask for supply or test method limits to be stated. |
| How does performance compare? | Request comparison with acceptance and previous results. |
| What defects need action? | Obtain a proposed action and responsible person. |
| Was normal service restored? | Keep the contractor's restoration record. |

## Close the loop

File the report with the asset, not only with the invoice. Send unanswered technical findings back to the contractor. Keep repair approval and retest evidence together. A completed visit does not by itself close a deficiency.

## Sources

- [QRFS, A Guide to the Annual Fire Pump Flow Test](https://blog.qrfs.com/245-the-fire-pump-flow-test-nfpa-25-requirements-for-fire-pump-tests-part-1/). Fetched 2026-11-10.
- [QRFS, NFPA 25 Annual Fire Pump Tests, Part 2](https://blog.qrfs.com/246-fire-pump-component-testing-nfpa-25-annual-fire-pump-tests-part-2/). Fetched 2026-11-10.
- [QRFS, NFPA 25 2026 Edition Changes for Building Owners and Managers](https://blog.qrfs.com/500-key-nfpa-25-2026-edition-changes-for-building-owners-managers/). Fetched 2026-11-10.

For information only. Confirm the adopted code, local rules and system requirements with the authority having jurisdiction and a qualified contractor.

## Questions

### Does a routine pump run replace a flow test?

Do not treat them as the same scope. The cited annual flow test guide describes a test of pump performance at specified flow conditions.