First FM Approved portable, submersible flood pumps
All around the world, floods pose a significant threat to commercial and industrial facilities. When water enters these facilities, the integrity of core building infrastructure, the specialized equipment found within, and the stored materials or finished products are all at risk of being damaged or destroyed. When floodwaters enter a facility, in addition to the direct property damage, there is a risk of environmental hazards that can lead to contamination of equipment, stock and raw materials from the loss of environmental controls at sensitive operations. Floodwaters can have a lasting negative impact on the facility, the organizations it houses, the employees who rely on that business, and the greater community.
FM Approved flood mitigation equipment being readily available for deployment is one way facility owners and other stakeholders can help protect assets from property damage, reduce business interruption, and improve resilience against the threats of rising floodwaters.
FM Approved flood mitigation equipment spans opening barriers (doors, gates, and panels), perimeter barriers, submersible pumps, valves, glazing, seals, and more. While many of the FM Approved flood mitigation solutions are logically meant for active or passive implementation at individual areas of vulnerability around a facility, the most recent one is uniquely portable.
Changsha Dewater Machinery Technology Co. Ltd. – based in Changsha, Hunan, China – focuses on mobile flood control solutions, including powerful and permanent submersible pumps used for rapid water removal. Recently, six individual models of Changsha Dewater Machinery Technology Co. Ltd.’s submersible flood mitigation pumps became FM Approved after successfully completing testing to the flood mitigation pump (FM 2513) performance requirements found within FM Approvals Examination Standard 2510 for Flood Mitigation Equipment.
This is the first-ever series of portable, submersible flood pumps to become FM Approved. The smallest‑capacity pump in the series, the QQ150, is equipped with a 6‑inch (DN150) discharge and delivers 660 gpm (42 L/s) at 48.1 psi (3.3 bar). At the upper end of the range, the QQ1000 uses a 12‑inch (DN300) discharge and is rated for 4,400 gpm (278 L/s) at 12.2 psi (0.8 bar). The lightest model in the lineup is the QQ600, weighing approximately 49 lbs (22.4 kg) and fitted with an 8‑inch (DN200) discharge. Together, these pumps cover a wide operating range, offering flexibility for diverse flood mitigation applications.
Wei Geng (General Manager, Changsha Dewater Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.) stated, “With the strong support of the FM Approvals team, Dewater successfully completed its first FM Approvals certification for a series of flood mitigation pumps. FM Approvals’ professionalism and standards will be very helpful for the development of future products.” Geng adds, “Dewater has always focused on flood control and emergency response, and we look forward to providing FM clients with solutions that reduce flood risks across various applications.”
Some of the Changsha Dewater Machinery Technology Co Ltd. flood pump models can be easily deployed by a single person. These portable, high-capacity flood pumps have been tested and certified to confirm performance under conditions consistent with those found in the field. Having these FM Approved portable, submersible flood pumps in the Approval Guide provides end users with a reliable flood mitigation tool that can be rapidly deployed and easily moved from one area to another as needed.
Since 2002, the engineers at FM Approvals – alongside key players in the flood mitigation world, such as ASFPM, FMIA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – have been updating the testing protocols as our flood mitigation customers evolve their own capabilities to mitigate the impacts of floods. FM Approvals will continue to test and certify the innovative solutions our customers develop – verifying performance and labeling those that perform as expected with the FM APPROVED certification mark.
According to David Fuller (Approvals Manager, Fire Protection). “FM Approvals’ fire protection, electrical, and business development teams worked together seamlessly and engaged with the Changsha Dewater Machinery Technology team to efficiently move through the thorough testing required for this project”.
Stuart Ulsh (Senior Engineering Technical Specialist, Climate and Structural Resilience, FM) adds, “Flood risk mitigation often requires a combination of flood protection devices to address the exposure. Having FM Approved submersible flood pumps adds a key component to the suite of devices a site will use in a successful flood mitigation strategy.”
With 60,000+ FM Approved products listed in the Approval Guide, FM Approvals’ globally recognized certification process is backed by technical integrity and confirms product performance under real-life conditions. If you manufacture flood mitigation or other loss prevention products or are in search of a solution to protect your facility from evolving risks, please reach out to us at [email protected] to learn more.