What is a common cause of low pressure in a pump?

A common cause of low pressure in a pump can indeed stem from multiple factors, making the selection of all the provided options as a correct answer appropriate.

When too many discharges are open, the pump may struggle to maintain the necessary pressure to effectively push water through all the openings, leading to a drop in overall pressure. Each additional discharge creates more resistance, which can diminish the flow volume and pressure.

A clogged intake strainer can also significantly impact pump performance. When the strainer is obstructed, it reduces the amount of water entering the pump. This can create a situation where insufficient water is available to generate the required pressure, resulting in low discharge performance.

Incorrect pump RPM can negatively affect the hydraulic performance of the pump. Each pump is designed to operate optimally within a certain RPM range. If the RPM is set too low, the pump will not be able to generate the necessary pressure. Conversely, if set too high, it could also lead to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Considering all these possibilities highlights how various operational issues can converge to create conditions of low pressure in a pump, reinforcing that acknowledging all these factors is essential for effective troubleshooting and maintenance in fire service operations.