Under NFPA 1901, which test ensures adequate flow from the water tank to the pump?

• A. Tank to pump flow test
• B. Pump discharge test
• C. Tank pressure test
• D. Flow meter test

Answer: (A)

The important thing being tested is the ability of the suction path from the onboard water tank to the pump to deliver enough water under operating conditions. The tank-to-pump flow test specifically checks that water can move from the tank into the pump with adequate flow, meaning the pickup hose, strainer, fittings, and any adapters allow a steady supply without air entrainment or restrictions. It verifies the pump can be primed and fed from the tank at the required rate, preventing cavitation or starvation as soon as the pump starts.

Discharge tests look at how much water exits the pump, not whether the inlet is drawing water properly. Tank pressure tests assess the tank’s integrity and pressure, not the transfer flow into the pump. Flow meter tests measure flow somewhere in the system, but they don’t inherently verify the effectiveness of the tank-to-pump transfer path. So the tank-to-pump flow test is the one that ensures adequate flow from the water tank to the pump.