Why should suction lift be minimized during drafting?

• A. To reduce risk of losing prime and to maximize pump output.
• B. To increase the pressure drop in the suction line.
• C. To shorten the hose length.
• D. To make it harder to connect to hydrant.

Answer: (A)

Minimizing suction lift keeps the water source as close as possible to the pump inlet, reducing the negative pressure the pump must overcome in the suction line. This lowers the risk that the water column will break and air will be drawn in, which would break the prime. If prime is lost, the pump can’t deliver water effectively, causing delays and reduced discharge. By keeping suction lift small, the pump can draw water more easily and deliver higher flow and pressure at the output. The other options don’t address maintaining prime or boosting performance; increasing suction-side pressure drop, shortening hose length, or making hydrant connections harder don’t improve prime or output.