How to Select the Right Pump
for Your Fireproofing Business

Determining the Right HyFlex Pump Size for a Fireproofing Job

There’s not a “one size fits all” pump for fireproofing, so it’s important to know and discuss your scope of work and expectations with a qualified HyFlex Sales Representative before making a purchase. Our current line of pumps for fireproofing range from the highly portable Spray Buddy to the large and powerful 321 High Pressure.

A pump that’s too small for the job means low productivity and efficiency. A pump that’s oversized means you’ve overspent and lowered your profits and ROI. Also, right-sizing a pump means you’ve right-sized the accessories you’ll need.

A typical discussion a HyFlex Sales Representative will have with a customer is built upon an understanding of the project at hand, especially in terms of size and bags of fireproofing material that must be applied, and your expectations and needs for productivity, expressed in bags/hour.

How Distance and Height Specs for a Fireproofing Job Affect Selection of the Right HyFlex Pump

Prior to making a purchase, the distance and height specifications for a fireproofing job is going to be the most critical piece of the discussion you’ll have with your HyFlex Sales Representative. In addition to how high and how far materials need to be pumped, considerations for pump technology, productivity requirements to meet bid specs, ease of use, and types of materials required for the job are going to be key to making a smart purchase decision.

We generally advise our customers that even though more powerful pumps cost more, they pay for themselves in terms of productivity. For example, constantly re-positioning and resetting equipment because it’s not powerful enough for the height and distance needed for a job is a waste of time, money and resources that can be avoided with the selection of the right pump.

Matching Your Fireproofing Materials with the Right HyFlex Pump

We’re often asked if our line of HyFlex pumps can handle all the different types of commercial and industrial fireproofing material on the market today.

The answer is “YES”, but with a qualification: certain high-density materials will require a powerful pump like our 30E model because of their consistency and thickness. Low and medium density materials can be used with any of our pump models without issues or concerns.

A discussion about the types of materials you currently use and those you might use in the future as you bid on different types of opportunities will help ensure the pump you select will reliably and consistently deliver the materials you’ll be using on the job.

Your HyFlex Sales Representative will answer your questions about the types of materials you currently use and those you might use in the future as you bid on different types of opportunities. We’ll make sure the pump you select will reliably and consistently deliver the materials you’ll be using on the job.

Determining the Right Power Requirements for a HyFlex Pump

Power requirements for the different HyFlex pumps we sell is one of the most frequently asked questions to our team at HyFlex. It’s an important consideration when it comes to calculating upfront and continuing operational costs.

HyFlex pumps are typically able to work with an existing onsite power supply, but in some circumstances, particularly where a fireproofing job is for a tall, multistory building, a fireproofing contractor may want to purchase or rent a generator in order to move equipment and materials closer to the application site in order to get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively.

This topic should be a discussion you’ll want to have with your representative at HyFlex along with the seller or manufacturer of the generator. Information about the HyFlex pump you have under consideration that will be necessary for selecting and right-sizing a generator includes voltage, full load amps, single or three phase for each motor running off of the generator, and power requirements for all accessories like fans, lights, and water pumps.

Differences in HyFlex Model Production Rates for Fireproofing Application

When it comes to selecting the right HyFlex pump for your fireproofing business, you’ll want to consider the differences in production rates between the different model pumps we offer. Materials to be used, height and distance requirements and operating costs of the pump will be a part of these discussions.

Production rates affect job efficiency, which in turn impact your bid and ultimately, job profits. Accounting for future business opportunities as well as any job in hand will help in the selection process. Our team of Sales Representatives are here to help you in your selection process.

Also, be sure that if you are doing a comparison of pumps among different manufacturers that the production rates cited in their specs are for actual fireproofing materials while spraying, not just for water in a laboratory setting. By doing so, you’ll get a true “apples to apples” comparison that will enable you to make the best decision possible.