Which pumping configuration involves one pumper discharging to the intake of another to create high pressure?

Which pumping configuration involves one pumper discharging to the intake of another to create high pressure?

• A. Dual pumping
• B. Tandem pumping
• C. Relay pumping
• D. Parallel pumping

Answer: (B)

Pumps in tandem are arranged in series so the discharge from the first pumper goes into the intake of the second. The second pump then adds its own pressure on top of the first, resulting in a higher overall discharge pressure than either pump could produce alone. This setup is used when a single engine can’t reach the needed pressure due to distance or elevation, so stacking the pressures achieves the target at the nozzle. Other configurations focus on increasing flow rather than pushing pressure higher: parallel pumping boosts volume by feeding the same line from two pumps, relay pumping moves water along a line with a series of engines to maintain supply to a distant fire, and dual pumping typically increases flow to a line without stacking pressures from two pumps. Hence, the choice that creates high pressure by discharging into another pump’s intake is tandem pumping.

Pumps in tandem are arranged in series so the discharge from the first pumper goes into the intake of the second. The second pump then adds its own pressure on top of the first, resulting in a higher overall discharge pressure than either pump could produce alone. This setup is used when a single engine can’t reach the needed pressure due to distance or elevation, so stacking the pressures achieves the target at the nozzle. Other configurations focus on increasing flow rather than pushing pressure higher: parallel pumping boosts volume by feeding the same line from two pumps, relay pumping moves water along a line with a series of engines to maintain supply to a distant fire, and dual pumping typically increases flow to a line without stacking pressures from two pumps. Hence, the choice that creates high pressure by discharging into another pump’s intake is tandem pumping.