Which instrument is used to generate flow readings during a fire pump test?

• A. Pitot gauge
• B. Multimeter
• C. Tachometer
• D. Hydrometer

Answer: (A)

Measuring how fast water is moving in the discharge line is essential to determine the pump’s flow rate during a fire pump test. A Pitot gauge does this by measuring the velocity pressure in the flowing water. A Pitot tube is placed in the flow to capture the dynamic (velocity) pressure, and with the pipe size known, you can calculate the flow velocity and then convert that to a flow rate (such as gallons per minute). The other instruments don’t measure flow: a multimeter checks electrical properties, a tachometer measures rotational speed, and a hydrometer measures liquid density, none of which directly provide flow readings in the piping.