Fire Pump Flow Test: Report Requirements for U.S. Building Owners

Check the returned report—not just the curve

The testing firm’s report should connect raw readings, baseline and prior-year comparisons, deficiencies, and recommendations—not simply provide a plotted curve. QRFS’s guide, explaining the 2017 edition of NFPA 25, identifies these as report contents and describes the owner’s responsibility for maintaining complete written results. [4]

• Reporting requirements described by QRFS: Raw performance data, electrical readings, pump speed at each tested flow, owner-furnished fire-protection demand, time delays, performance comparisons, deficiencies, and recommendations. [4]
• Local requirements to confirm: The adopted edition, testing schedule, authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) conditions, and applicable submission steps. Phoenix Fire & Systems discusses Ohio requirements; Spectrum Fire Protection describes Orange County, California, conditions. [2][3]
• Optional management tracking: Named contacts, agreed target dates, and closure statuses. The cited guidance does not establish these as universal report fields. [2][3][4]

Use the checklist below to review receipt of the report, while leaving testing and technical interpretation to qualified personnel. Phoenix emphasizes qualified personnel for both routine no-flow and annual flow testing. [2]

Locate the baseline before comparing performance

A useful comparison starts with the original acceptance-test curve, not last year’s plot alone. QRFS identifies the original acceptance results as the preferred baseline. If unavailable, the original factory curve may be obtainable from operation or maintenance manuals or the pump manufacturer. [4]

Assemble these records for the contractor:

• Original acceptance-test curve, or the factory-curve fallback. [4]
• Previous annual reports, so this year’s results can be compared with earlier performance as well as the baseline. [4]
• Manufacturer performance information, alongside actual test data and available discharge curves. [4]
• Nameplate or pump-base data: Rated capacity, churn pressure, and information for 150% of rated capacity. QRFS identifies these as useful reference values, not a complete mandatory nameplate-transcription template. [4]

Ask the contractor to identify unavailable baseline records and explain the comparison basis used. Spectrum says it benchmarks annual results against the original acceptance curve and advises owners to keep that curve on file. [3]

When baseline information is unavailable, QRFS gives these comparison criteria: 150% of rated capacity at 65% of rated pressure; rated capacity at rated pressure; and no more than 140% of rated pressure at churn. These are the source’s criteria under the cited edition, not an owner-issued pass/fail verdict. [4]

Distinguish a routine run from the annual flowing test

Routine no-flow, or churn, testing checks starting and operation but does not establish delivery capacity. Phoenix and Spectrum distinguish it from the annual flowing performance test; Phoenix says neither test replaces the other. [2][3]

Phoenix describes common churn frequencies of weekly for diesel pumps and monthly for electric pumps, with some electric installations remaining weekly and possible variations based on an approved risk analysis. Confirm the applicable schedule rather than assuming every installation follows the same frequency. [2]

Under the edition discussed by QRFS, annual testing covers no-flow, rated flow, and 150% of rated flow. If the available suction supply cannot support 150%, QRFS describes testing to the maximum allowable discharge. [4] Ask the contractor to explain any supply-limited test point in the returned record.

Spectrum’s annual service description includes testing at churn, 100%, and 150% of rated capacity, plotting results against the original acceptance curve, pressure records, and relief-valve checks. This is a contractor’s described scope, not proof of the requirements at every property. [3]

Check the field report for complete measurements

Use these receipt checks to identify missing information. The reporting categories come from QRFS’s account of NFPA 25 section 8.4.1.1; the questions are suggested requests to the contractor. [4]

• Pressure and flow data: Look for raw data sufficient for a complete performance evaluation, including suction pressure, discharge pressure, and discharge flow. QRFS says readings at flowing conditions should be taken approximately simultaneously. [4]
  If missing: Ask for the underlying readings and clarification of when they were recorded.

• Electrical readings and pump speed: Look for speed at every tested flow rate and applicable voltage and amperage readings. For electric-motor flowing conditions, QRFS specifies all-line voltage and current readings, not a single electrical value. [4]
  If missing: Request speed at each tested flow and the electrical readings applicable to the equipment.

• Owner-furnished fire-protection demand: QRFS includes the demand supplied by the owner among the reporting categories. [4]
  If missing: Ask whether the input was supplied and what information the property team needs to provide.

• Performance and comparison records: Look for pump performance, manufacturer performance data, actual test data, available discharge curves, and comparisons with previous results. [4]
  If missing: Request the supporting data and analysis, including an explanation of differences against both the baseline and prior years.

• Time delays: QRFS lists start, stop, and energy-transfer time delays among the report contents. [4]
  If missing: Ask the contractor to complete the applicable entries.

• Findings and recommendations: Look for deficiencies identified during testing or subsequent analysis, along with recommendations for addressing them. [4]
  If missing: Request the completed analysis, not merely the field measurements.

Send one consolidated request for omissions. File the curve with its supporting measurements and analysis rather than keeping the graphic alone.

Check the measurement support when readings are questionable

A completed report shows what was recorded; questionable readings may warrant a request for instrument and calibration information. QRFS distinguishes the measurement data from the equipment conditions supporting it. [4]

• Devices other than flowmeters: QRFS describes calibration at least annually to ±1% accuracy. [4]
• Controller voltage and amperage readings: QRFS describes a limited substitution for separate meters: factory-calibrated controller readings may be used when the controller is adjusted to ±3% and voltage is within 5% of rated voltage. Otherwise, its account calls for calibrated equipment for the relevant measurements, including net pressure, flow, voltage, amperage, and speed. [4]

Ask the contractor to identify the devices used and provide calibration support when readings remain unexplained. If electrical readings came from the controller, request documentation showing how the substitution conditions were met. These are suggested receipt checks; QRFS’s account does not establish a universal requirement to attach every calibration certificate to every report. [4]

Resolve inconsistent closed-loop results

If this year’s closed-loop results conflict with the previous annual test, ask for repeat-test evidence before accepting pump deterioration as the explanation. The provision reproduced by QRFS calls for repeat testing when results are inconsistent; where repeat testing is not possible, it calls for flowmeter calibration and then a repeated test. Ask the contractor how that provision applies under the locally adopted edition. [4]

Calibration is followed by testing in the sequence QRFS reproduces—not acceptance of the unexplained original result. [4]

For the building’s records, request a follow-up packet containing:

• A description of the inconsistency, identifying the current and previous annual results being compared.
• Repeat-test readings and the contractor’s interpretation.
• If flowmeter calibration was needed, its documentation and the subsequent test record.
• A clear statement of any discrepancy remaining unresolved.

This packet is a practical management request, not a separately established report format or turnaround deadline. Agree on a delivery date with the contractor.

Keep the measurement question separate from the broader performance question. QRFS’s guide to the 2017 edition says test results should not deviate by more than five percent from the initial acceptance test or nameplate pressures. Ask the qualified contractor to explain the applicable comparison tolerance under the locally adopted edition and investigate any significant reduction that remains after measurement inconsistencies are resolved, identifying necessary corrections and repairs. [4]

Turn deficiencies into documented follow-up

Separate the next steps rather than labeling every unresolved item a pump failure:

• Missing paperwork: Request omitted readings, comparisons, findings, or recommendations needed to complete the record. These are report categories described by QRFS. [4]
• Inconsistent measurements: Ask the contractor to address the applicable repeat-test and calibration follow-up. [4]
• Identified equipment deficiency: Request an explanation, recommended corrective work, and documented re-test results. Spectrum describes repair and re-testing as part of its process. [3]

As a contractor-process example, Spectrum describes documenting the deficiency, code reference, and repair recommendation, then repairing, re-testing, and updating the documentation. That is its Orange County service description, not a nationwide reporting rule. [3]

Keep an optional follow-up log

Agree on tracking details with the contractor without presenting them as mandatory report entries. A practical log can contain:

• Issue reference and contractor explanation
• Proposed action
• Assigned contact and agreed target date
• Status and closure evidence, such as a corrected report or re-test results

Failure to start, controller trouble, closed valves, leaks, or low fuel warrant contractor contact rather than waiting for the annual visit, according to Phoenix. It cautions owners against taking the system out of service themselves. Spectrum says an out-of-service pump may require impairment arrangements and possibly a fire watch until restoration. [2][3]

Set local booking, fee, and submission responsibilities

Before booking, distinguish the contractor’s service package from applicable local conditions. Spectrum lists NFPA 25, NFPA 20, the California Fire Code, California Title 19, and OCFA requirements as governing fire pump testing in Orange County. [3]

• Edition and personnel: Ask which adopted NFPA 25 edition and additional authority conditions apply, and who will perform the work.
• Due date and recurring schedule: Confirm the annual due date and applicable churn schedule. Keep the two duties separate in the service agreement and calendar. [2]
• Site coordination: Ask who coordinates access, water-department involvement, and any authority attendance. Spectrum notes that water districts and insurers may impose additional conditions. [3]
• Submission and approval: Agree who sends the report, its destination, any approval steps, submission deadline, and expected delivery date. Spectrum advertises documentation preparation for the AHJ and insurer; distinguish preparation from responsibility for submission. [3]

Cambridge, Massachusetts, illustrates why booking details are local. Cambridge Water charges $350 per test, offers two daily time slots, and tests for one company per day. It asks that multiple tests be grouped on the same day where possible and reserves the right to consolidate tests booked on separate days. [1]

Keep the municipal fee separate from the contractor’s quote. Spectrum advertises a free consultation and quote request; obtain a written price for testing, repairs, and re-testing. [1][3] Phoenix includes churn when it is part of the service agreement, so confirm whether that recurring work is included. [2]

Ask your contractor about applicable submission deadlines, approval turnaround, report-delivery time, and any renewal application. [1][2][3][4] Record local answers and agreed dates in the booking confirmation, including any recurring filing or renewal step.

File the record without closing unresolved work

Retain complete written test reports as described by QRFS. [4] As a records practice, keep original and revised reports together with repeat-test results and corrective-work documentation.

Use separate workflow statuses for report received, technical follow-up unresolved, and local submission or approval completed. These are suggested tracking labels, not official code classifications.

Where submission applies, confirm who sends the report and how receipt or acceptance will be documented. Spectrum’s advertised AHJ and insurer documentation preparation is a vendor-described service, not an independent guarantee of acceptance everywhere. [3]

References

1. Fire Pump Test – Water – City of Cambridge, Massachusetts (cambridgema.gov)
2. Fire Pump Testing Schedule | NFPA 25 Churn & Flow (phoenixfs.org, 2025)
3. Fire Pump Service | Spectrum Fire Protection Services (spectrumforfireprotection.com)
4. A Guide to the Annual Fire Pump Flow Test (NFPA 25) (qrfs.com, 2026)