Masdaf – YPSP UL/FM fire pump with a split casing
The YPSP UL/FM fire pump is a centrifugal pump with a split casing and double suction, designed by Masdaf in accordance with UL 448 and FM 1311 certification. The series has a flow rate ranging from 23 to 454 m³/h, a head ranging from 44 to 188 m, and a speed ranging from 1,800 to 3,000 rpm. The pump is designed for water at temperatures ranging from 0 to 60 °C and is used in low-, medium- and high-risk fire-extinguishing systems.
What exactly is certified under the UL/FM scheme?
UL and FM do not certify the ‘system as a whole’, but rather each component individually, and all designations must match in the project. In the YPSP UL/FM system, this is as follows: the pump itself complies with UL 448 and FM 1311; the flanges are manufactured to ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 250; the electric motor complies with UL 1004-5; the diesel engine, if specified in the diagram, complies with UL 1247 and FM 1333; the control cabinet complies with UL 218 and FM 1321 / FM 1323. If at least one component lacks its own approval, the system will not pass acceptance testing as a UL/FM kit, even if the pump is certified.
Why does this series feature a split housing and dual suction?
A split casing means that the casing is divided along a horizontal plane: to access the rotor, the upper half is removed without disconnecting the pipework or moving the motor. For a fire pump that has been on standby for years and is inspected in accordance with regulations, this significantly reduces maintenance time. The double suction design, in turn, feeds the fluid to the impeller from both sides — the flow is symmetrical, and the axial load on the shaft is mutually balanced. This same symmetry allows the series to operate at high flow rates, which single-suction pumps cannot achieve.
Technical specifications for YPSP UL/FM
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | centrifugal pump with a split casing and double suction |
| Pump certification | UL 448, FM 1311 |
| Flanges | ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 250 |
| Electric motor | in accordance with UL 1004-5 |
| Diesel engine (optional) | in accordance with UL 1247 / FM 1333 |
| Control cabinet | in accordance with UL 218, FM 1321 / FM 1323 |
| Capacity | 23 – 454 m³/h |
| Pressure | 44–188 m |
| Rotational speed | 1,800–3,000 rpm |
| Suction flange | 5″ – 10″ |
| Discharge flange | 3″ – 8″ |
| Fluid temperature | 0–60 °C |
| Additional certificates | CE; TSE ‘Centrifugal pump, Class 3’ |
The material of the flow path, the type of shaft seal and the operating pressure of the casing are specified for each individual order in accordance with the manufacturer’s questionnaire.
When is a diesel engine needed, and when is an electric motor sufficient?
The choice is determined not by the pump, but by the reliability of the facility’s power supply. If regulations require the fire pump to start in the absence of mains power, a diesel drive compliant with UL 1247 / FM 1333 is installed — or a diesel generator set as a backup to the main electrical supply. If the facility has a guaranteed power supply from two independent inputs or a diesel generator, an electric motor compliant with UL 1004-5 is sufficient. In the YPSP UL/FM series, both options are provided for by the design of the series; therefore, the decision is made at the system design stage, rather than when selecting the pump.
Where are YPSP UL/FM pumps used?
The manufacturer defines the scope of application for this series as fire-extinguishing systems for low, medium and high-risk environments. In practice, it is precisely the high-risk category that sets this series apart from others: high costs and UL/FM certification are required where the insurer or the client’s regulatory framework demands verified approvals for every component of the pump unit.
How does the YPSP UL/FM differ from other Masdaf fire pumps?
The YPSP UL/FM series is the highest-flow series in Masdaf’s range of fire pumps with UL and FM approvals: up to 454 m³/h and a head of up to 188 m. The YPSP NFPA series features the same split-case design but is certified to NFPA 20 rather than holding UL/FM approvals. The YNM series comprises horizontal end-suction pumps with lower flow rates. The YPH is a vertical in-line pump compliant with NFPA 20 for low- and medium-risk systems. The ENM series stands apart: it is a pump for ship-based and trailer-mounted Fi-Fi systems. The deciding factor between them is the regulatory standard and the risk level of the facility, rather than the pump’s specifications.
Selection, supply and service from Steiner Ukraine
For UL/FM systems, the selection process begins with a list of approvals that must be accepted by the client or insurer, and only then moves on to the hydraulics. To carry out the calculations, Steiner Ukraine requires: a list of the necessary approvals, the design flow rate and pressure at the control point, the drive type and power supply redundancy requirements, the characteristics of the water source, as well as the requirements for the control cabinet. Based on this data, we select the YPSP UL/FM model, coordinate the ‘pump–motor–controller’ package to ensure the approvals match, and provide a specification with certificates.
