Advantage in Initial Investment Cost With ‘Masdaf’ Detachable Body Fire Pumps!

We spoke about the NFPA 20 compliant fire pumps, the certification process of Detachable Body Fire Pumps which was approved by FM in 2019, advantages they offer to investors, trainings held by Mas Academy, innovations made in 2019 and Masdaf’s future goals with General Manager Vahdettin Yırtmaç.

 First of all, can you give us information about your fire systems product group?

 We are the first company to produce fire pumps for fire systems compatible with NFPA 20 in Turkey in 1999. Since 1999, we have been producing vertical shaft line, horizontal end-suction and horizontal detachable body double-suction fire pumps. According to the pump types, we have a wide product range of 100 -5000 gpm, 30-170 mss.

We are the 8th in the world and first in Turkey to obtain a UL-FM certificate in 2009. We obtained UL-FM certificate in end-suction fire groups, and UL list certificate in double-suction fire groups with detachable body. In 2019, we have expanded our UL-FM certified product group by receiving an FM certificate for our double-suction fire pumps with detachable body.

We can provide our customers with solutions thanks to our relevant fire groups according to the nature of the project and the conditions required in the specifications. In addition, we produce cabin type fire groups for fire groups located in open environment. Based on the requests of our customers, we have also added mobile fire systems to our fire systems product range this year. In addition to these, we also provide ready package system solutions inside containers, especially in overseas projects.

 Can you give us more information about your new product certified by FM (Factory Mutual) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories)?

 Our certified products are single-staged double-suction pumps with horizontally detachable body and radial impellers. With the double-suction radial impeller’s back to back design and closed impeller structure, the axial load is minimised to zero. Pump flanges are designed according to ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 250.                     The inlet-outlet flanges are located on the same axis. Shaft sealing is provided with soft gaskets. Double-suction pumps have the advantage of low NPSH character. Compared to end-suction pumps, they provide ease of service and maintenance on impeller and shaft group without removing the engine.

Pump and electric motors are connected with flexible couplings on standard chassis frames. It is possible to drive them with electric and diesel engines. The impeller of the pump is made from CuSn10 bronze material and the shaft is made from AISI 316 stainless steel.

Can you tell us about the certification process of the double-suction fire pumps with detachable body?

 Actually it is a long and a difficult process. UL and FM are two different institutions. In addition to your technical calculations and technical features expected in the product, you are also audited in terms of quality management. As Masdaf, we have successfully went through all these processes in 2009, the certification process of our “fire pumps with detachable body”, which was certified in 2019, was easier and faster. We have successfully completed the process within a short period of 4-5 months.

 What is the importance of FM certification in pump technologies?

 FM (Factory Mutual) is an independent and technical institution based in USA which provides quality approval to materials and systems. It’s a subsidiary of FMI (Factory Mutual Insurance), which insures private and large risks.

In order to obtain FM approval for fire pumps, you need to meet the NFPA 20 requirements and provide some features beyond NFPA 20. FM approval is the most difficult standard among the quality approvals granted for fire pumps and peripheral components, and is the worldwide accepted standard as the highest grade product quality approval.

 What are the advantages of ‘Fire Pumps With Detachable Body’?

 Double-suction pumps have the advantage of low NPSH character. Compared to end-suction pumps, they provide ease of service and maintenance on impeller and shaft group without removing the engine. Their efficiency is higher than the end-suction pumps under pressures of 1000 gpm and above. Thus, it provides advantage in the initial investment cost.

 What do you think about the fire trainings held in our country?

 From the implementation of the fire regulation in a project;

*Administrations authorised to issue building licenses,

*Investors,

*Building owners,

*Employers or their representatives

*Architects, engineers and implementing contractors involved in design and implementation, and 

  manufacturers,

*Consultant, adviser, project supervisor, building inspection and construction management authorities who are involved in the construction and use of structures  

 are responsible.

According to fire regulation, any person involved in a fire disaster will be responsible according to their defects. Furthermore, insurance companies are obliged to control whether the provisions of this regulation are complied with in buildings, facilities and enterprises in the event of a fire insurance request. For this reason, everyone in the sector has important duties on fire trainings. We provide trainings for the people interested with our educational platform MAS ACADEMY in every region of Turkey. We keep the sector informed about the application, operation and maintenance of fire systems regarding pumps. Along with sponsorships, we also provide support to sectoral associations and organisations by attending educational events and sharing our information. We have contributed to “Earthquake and Fire Test and Training Centre”, which was launched by Allianz Teknik in 2019 in Turkish-German University Beykoz campus with an operating fire pump training room, end-suction and detachable double-suction pump section to be used in trainings. We will be providing trainings in this training centre within a program every year.

 How was 2019 in terms of both the sector and Masdaf as of the end of the year?

 I can say that it was an intensive year with important innovations for us. First of all, we have made a big change in brand identity and redesigned our logo to be more dynamic and modern. In addition, we have developed 3 new products within the scope of R&D studies and commenced mass production this year.

 In “Daf Series Pumps”, we have increased the mechanical strength with stainless structure. With this new product, for which a patent has been filed, we aimed to offer our customers a long-term use.

 “HEXA Series Stainless Pump” is another product we have developed, which we will offer with quick delivery advantage in all capacities to our customers thanks to our strong semi-finished goods inventory. The product is made from stainless steel, it is highly efficient and has a vertical shaft. Highly functional Hexa Series Stainless Pumps can be used in a range of applications, from mains water to industrial liquids of different temperature, flow and pressure.

 The new “Deep Well Submersible Pumps”, which provide ideal solutions for deep wells and is generally used in the pressurisation of clean or demineralised water, agricultural irrigation, raw water supply, lowering the groundwater level and industrial applications, is another product that we have launched in 2019. It does not make noise or cause vibration as it operates fully in fluid.

 In our country, there is an economic structure dependent on the growth of the construction sector. The contraction experienced in construction sector since mid-2018 has also slowed down the industrial production operating for that sector. We are experiencing a difficult period due to such contraction and in which the competition is intense and profit margins are low. Many companies have applied for a concordat in these challenging market conditions. Many manufacturers and suppliers making business with these companies have incurred losses. Together with our business partners, we have managed this process carefully without experiencing any financial risks and we will continue to do so. As a 42-year-old company, we witnessed many crises in our country. The difference of this crisis from others is that it will take a longer time to recover due to the impact of the global crisis. Our advantage as a company is that we do not only produce for building technologies. We also produce for industry, Infrastructure, Agricultural Irrigation and Marine sectors.

For the last two years, we have participated many fairs in different countries in order to increase our exports; we have organised “pump seminars and trainings” for the mechanical design and mechanical application offices in the region, and expanded our foreign dealer sales channels together with our business partners abroad. Briefly, we were able to manage this crisis in the domestic market by having an opportunity to increase our exports. We are currently exporting to more than 65 countries. Regarding our strategies to diversify our foreign markets, our exports grew steadily. In the first half of 2019, our exports increased by 21% compared to the same period of the previous year. Since we export 40% of the production, we were able to close 2019 better.

 What’s the situation regarding your works abroad? Are there any new markets you have targeted?

 Our vision is to become a reputable and preferred brand in the world with our product, service quality and engineering solutions in fluid systems. We also perform and plan our works, product developments and quality management according to this target. We are currently exporting products to more than 65 countries. The number of countries we export increases every year. We are planning to open offices in the regions we have determined abroad. We are focused on the African market as well. In 2019, we have attended 3 fairs in this region. As the only pump company included in the Turquality support program, our export strategies and investments will continue to increase.

 What are your future goals as Masdaf?

 While achieving our goal of becoming a reputable and preferred brand in the world, our goal is to produce sustainable, environmentally-friendly, high-quality, distinctive pump and fluid systems by combining our dynamic and innovative structure we’ve formed in the light of our knowledge, with the strength we receive from our customers, suppliers and employees.