By Fire Alarm BT, Founder, Fire Alarm Blueprint Trainer · Creator of the FireAlarmBT YouTube channel · reviewed against NFPA 72 & NFPA 70 principles
Fire Pump Running With No Alarm on the Panel: Pump Supervisory Signal Troubleshooting
A fire pump that is running should be telling someone. This case study follows a pump found running with nothing on the fire alarm panel and shows how the pump controller, pressure settings and the supervisory wiring between them explain the silence.
The setting
High-rise office building with an electric fire pump. The monitoring company received a FIRE PUMP RUNNING supervisory at 03:14 with no accompanying waterflow or alarm.
SUPERVISORY: FIRE PUMP
PUMP RUNNING · NO WATERFLOW · 03:14
What the technician found on arrival
You arrive at 04:00. The pump is running, the FACP shows only the fire-pump-running supervisory — no waterflow, no alarm, no sprinkler activation. The pump room is warm and the controller reads 'RUN — AUTO START — PRESSURE DROP.'
The question
The fire pump started itself on a pressure drop with no fire. What do you do?
Step-by-step: what the technician did and why
- 1
Confirm no fire and no waterflow anywhere
A fire pump start on pressure drop can mean sprinklers flowing somewhere the panel isn't seeing. Check every waterflow zone and walk the risers.
FindingAll riser waterflow switches normal; no discharge found. The pressure drop was not from sprinkler flow.
- 2
Read the controller: why did it start, and is it in the right mode?
The controller logs the start cause and time. Confirm it's in AUTO and check the minimum-run timer. Never shut a fire pump down blindly.
FindingAuto start at 03:14 on pressure drop to 95 psi (start setpoint 100 psi). Minimum-run timer expired, but the pump continues because pressure never reaches the stop setpoint.
- 3
Check the jockey pump and system pressure
The jockey pump maintains system pressure between fire pump starts. If it fails, normal small leaks drop pressure until the fire pump starts.
FindingJockey pump controller tripped on overload; the jockey pump is off. System pressure had been drifting down for hours.
- 4
Find where the system pressure is going
With the jockey pump off, something is bleeding pressure: a weeping relief valve, a passing check valve, a leaking PRV, or an open drain.
FindingThe main relief valve on the fire pump discharge is passing water to drain — it should be closed at churn. The pump is running against its own relief valve.
- 5
Stabilize safely, notify, and coordinate the repair
Reset the jockey pump only after checking its motor; never silence or defeat the fire pump controller. Notify the owner and the pump contractor and track it as an impairment condition.
FindingJockey pump motor OK, overload reset, pressure restores. The fire pump stops at 130 psi via the controller. Pump contractor scheduled for the relief valve.
- 6
Verify the supervisory signals and document
Pump running, loss of phase, phase reversal, and controller-not-in-auto must all report to the FACP as supervisories. Confirm each one restores.
FindingPUMP RUNNING supervisory restored 04:52. 'Controller not in auto' supervisory verified by switching to OFF and back. Documented.
Key takeaways
- •Fire pump running with no waterflow → check the jockey pump first.
- •Never shut down a fire pump without first ruling out sprinkler flow.
- •A passing relief valve or check valve will make a pump 'run forever.'
- •All required pump supervisories must report to the FACP — test them.
Code references
NFPA 72 · 17.16 — Supervisory Signal-Initiating Devices
Fire pump supervisory conditions must be transmitted as supervisory signals to the FACP and supervising station.
NFPA 20 · 10.4.7 — Electric Fire Pump Controller Alarms & Signals
Remote indication of pump running, loss of phase, phase reversal, and controller connected to alternate source.
NFPA 25 · Chapter 8 — Fire Pumps
Weekly/monthly no-flow (churn) test and annual flow test; jockey pump and relief valve observations recorded.
Section numbers vary between editions. Always verify against the edition adopted by your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Sample service report
Found
04:00 FACP SUPERVISORY — FIRE PUMP RUNNING since 03:14; no waterflow/alarm. Controller: AUTO START on pressure drop (95 psi). All riser waterflow switches normal; no discharge.
Cause
Jockey pump controller tripped on overload (jockey pump off); main relief valve passing water at churn, preventing pressure recovery to stop setpoint.
Action taken
Jockey pump motor checked, overload reset, pressure restored; fire pump stopped normally at 130 psi. Pump contractor scheduled for relief valve repair (WO issued). No controls defeated.
Verification
PUMP RUNNING supervisory restored 04:52. 'Not in auto' supervisory tested OK. Recommend weekly churn test include jockey pump observation.
Practice this call in the Troubleshooting Lab
Work through the same scenario step by step, with wrong-move feedback and a downloadable completion certificate. Free, no account required.
Frequently asked questions
Which fire pump conditions must be monitored by the fire alarm system?
NFPA 72 and NFPA 20 call for supervision of conditions such as pump running, loss of phase or phase reversal, controller connected to alternate source, and for diesel pumps engine trouble and controller off-auto — each as a distinct supervisory signal. Verify against the adopted editions.
Why would a fire pump run with no fire?
A pressure drop below the start setpoint — from a leak, a test, a surge, or a pressure switch drift — starts the pump. If no supervisory is received, the signal wiring, module programming or controller contacts need to be checked.
Related guide: Preparing for a Fire Alarm Inspection
This case study is educational. It does not replace the manufacturer's instructions, the currently adopted codes and standards, a licensed designer or engineer, or review by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.