When a suction tank supplies a fire pump, the control valve should be located as close as possible to the ___________.

When a suction tank supplies a fire pump, the control valve should be located as close as possible to the ___________.

• A. tank
• B. pump
• C. discharge header
• D. suction line

Answer: (D)

When a suction tank feeds a fire pump, the control valve belongs on the suction line as close to the pump as possible. Placing the valve near the pump lets you quickly isolate the pump from the water source, which is essential for maintenance, testing, or re-priming. It minimizes the amount of piping that can drain or siphon when you shut the valve, helping preserve the pump’s prime and reducing priming time on restart. If the valve were placed nearer the tank, a long portion of suction piping would remain connected to the pump and could lose prime more easily or be harder to purge during restart. A valve on the discharge header does not affect the suction side at all, so it wouldn’t give you the control needed for priming and isolation of the pump’s suction.

When a suction tank feeds a fire pump, the control valve belongs on the suction line as close to the pump as possible. Placing the valve near the pump lets you quickly isolate the pump from the water source, which is essential for maintenance, testing, or re-priming. It minimizes the amount of piping that can drain or siphon when you shut the valve, helping preserve the pump’s prime and reducing priming time on restart.

If the valve were placed nearer the tank, a long portion of suction piping would remain connected to the pump and could lose prime more easily or be harder to purge during restart. A valve on the discharge header does not affect the suction side at all, so it wouldn’t give you the control needed for priming and isolation of the pump’s suction.