If a discharge valve fails to open, what is the recommended action?

• A. Stop, ignore the issue and keep pumping.
• B. Continue pumping at reduced speed.
• C. Stop, investigate the cause (sticking valve, mechanical failure), and use alternative lines or reschedule operations with proper authority.
• D. Shut down the entire system and replace the pump.

Answer: (C)

When a discharge valve won’t open, the pump must not be operated as if nothing is wrong. The test relies on water being able to flow through the discharge piping. A stuck or closed valve creates a dead-end condition, which can cause overpressure, pump stress, piping damage, or water hammer, and it prevents verification of the pump’s actual discharge performance. The proper action is to stop the pump and investigate the valve and its actuation—likely a sticking valve, mechanical failure, or control issue. If the valve can’t be opened, switch to any available alternative discharge lines or reschedule the test with the appropriate authority. This keeps the system safe, protects equipment, and ensures you test under correct conditions rather than forcing operation with a fault. Replacing the pump is not the correct first step, and continuing at reduced speed still leaves the blocked path and potential damage unaddressed.