Masdaf – ENM fire pump for Fi-Fi systems
The ENM fire pump is a horizontal, single-stage, centrifugal pump with end suction and a spiral casing, designed by Masdaf for Fi-Fi systems and large stationary fire-extinguishing systems. The series has a flow rate ranging from 400 to 4,000 m³/h, a head ranging from 60 to 150 m, and an operating fluid temperature ranging from −20 to +110 °C. The pump operates with both fresh and seawater.
What is the Fi-Fi system and what role does ENM play in it?
Fi-Fi (Fire Fighter) refers to ship-mounted and trailer-mounted fire-fighting systems that deliver water at high flow rates over considerable distances. The pump in such a system draws water from over the side or from a tank and supplies pressure to the fire monitors. The ENM is specifically designed for this application: large flow cross-sections, a wide flow rate range and the ability to operate with seawater determine the design of the casing, impeller and bearing assembly.
How the ENM pump works
The casing is symmetrical, so the series allows for different rotation directions — the pump can be configured with either a clockwise or anti-clockwise drive without replacing the casing. The impeller has double-curved blades and is dynamically balanced. A water-lubricated plain bearing is fitted in the suction casing; in other words, the fluid being pumped acts as the lubricant. The shaft is rigid and designed to operate under various loads. The manufacturer offers various options for rolling element bearings and specifically highlights the unit’s ease of maintenance and compact design — the latter being particularly important where the pump is installed in a confined engine compartment or on a trailer.
H2: ENM Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Fi-Fi system centrifugal pump with end-suction, spiral casing |
| Capacity | 400 - 4000 m³/h |
| Pressure | 60 – 150 m |
| Rotational speed | 1000 - 1800 rpm |
| Suction flange | DN 300 – DN 500 |
| Discharge flange | DN 250 – DN 500 |
| Fluid temperature | −20 – +110 °C |
| Impeller | double-tilt, dynamically balanced |
| Bearing in the suction housing | sliding, water lubrication |
| Direction of rotation | both, thanks to the symmetrical body |
| Certification | CE; TSE ‘Centrifugal pump, Class 1’; TSE ‘Centrifugal pump, Class 2’ |
The operating pressure of the casing, the material of the flow path and the type of mechanical seal are specified for each individual order in accordance with the manufacturer’s questionnaire.
Why is a water-lubricated bearing important for seawater?
In a pump that supplies seawater, a conventional bearing in a grease sum is a weak point: it requires a sealed assembly and regular maintenance, and any leakage of grease into the water is unacceptable. A sliding bearing, which is lubricated by the fluid being pumped, removes this limitation — there is no separate lubrication circuit, no risk of water contamination, and fewer maintenance points. The trade-off is the requirement not to run the pump ‘dry’.
Where are ENM pumps used?
- Fi-Fi (Fire Fighter) trailers and systems;
- the transfer of fresh and seawater on board ships;
- large-scale fire-extinguishing systems;
- industrial and public facilities.
How does the ENM differ from other Masdaf fire pumps?
The ENM is a high-flow pump designed for marine applications; it is selected when a flow rate of 400–4,000 m³/h is required and the pump is to be used with salt water. The YNM series comprises stationary fire pumps certified to specific standards for building fire-extinguishing systems (NFPA, UL/FM, EN 12845), and the selection criterion here is not so much the flow rate as compliance with the standard for which the system is designed. If the application is a vessel, jetty or trailer-mounted unit, the ENM series is considered; if it is a building’s sprinkler system, the YNM series with the relevant certification is considered.
Selection, supply and service from Steiner Ukraine
Fire pumps are selected not on the basis of their maximum performance, but according to the system’s design flow rate and the head losses in the fire hose or sprinkler network. To carry out the calculation, Steiner Ukraine requires the following information: the type of medium (fresh or seawater), the required flow rate, the required pressure at the end-use point, the length and diameter of the delivery line, the type of drive, and the requirements of the standard to which the facility is subject. Based on this data, we select the appropriate ENM model, specify the material suitable for seawater and provide a specification along with a set of certificates.
