| Hydraulic Performance | Flow rate, head, speed and operating point | Confirm that the proposed pump curve covers the required duty point and that the normal operating point is close to the pump's best efficiency point. Check performance at minimum, normal and maximum expected flow. | Certified performance curve, duty-point calculation and witnessed or third-party test results based on the agreed acceptance criteria. |
| Energy Efficiency | Pump efficiency and annual energy consumption | Compare hydraulic efficiency, motor efficiency, operating hours and electricity cost over the expected service life. A lower purchase price may result in higher total operating cost. | Pump efficiency curve, motor efficiency data, power requirement at duty point and a documented life-cycle cost calculation. |
| Cavitation Protection | NPSH available versus NPSH required | Verify that the available NPSH at the installation is greater than the pump's NPSH required, with an appropriate engineering margin. Account for liquid temperature, vapor pressure, suction losses and site elevation. | NPSH curve, suction-piping calculation and installation review using the actual process-liquid conditions. |
| Applicable Standards | Design, testing and quality-system conformity | Select standards according to the application. ISO 2858 is commonly used for end-suction centrifugal pump dimensions and duty designation; ISO 5199 covers technical specifications for centrifugal pumps; API 610 may apply to petroleum, petrochemical and natural-gas industries. | Standards compliance matrix, current certificates, quality manual and a clause-by-clause review of the purchase specification. |
| Materials and Corrosion Resistance | Casing, impeller, shaft, seals and elastomers | Match wetted materials to liquid composition, chloride content, temperature, concentration, abrasive solids and operating pressure. Material selection should be based on the actual medium rather than a generic pump category. | Material certificates, chemical-compatibility assessment, casting or forging specifications and positive material identification where required. |
| Mechanical Seal and Bearings | Seal arrangement, bearing type and expected service interval | Check whether the seal design suits the pressure, temperature, solids content and dry-running risk. Review bearing lubrication, shaft deflection control and access for replacement parts. | Seal datasheet, bearing specification, sectional drawing, maintenance instructions and recommended spare-parts list. |
| Pressure and Temperature Rating | Maximum allowable working pressure and temperature | Ensure the casing, flange class, gasket and seal arrangement are suitable for the maximum pressure and temperature—not only the normal operating condition. | Pressure-temperature rating chart, casing design data, hydrostatic test procedure and flange standard documentation. |
| Manufacturing Capability | Casting, machining, balancing and assembly controls | Evaluate whether the supplier controls critical processes internally or through qualified subcontractors. Dimensional accuracy, impeller balance, shaft runout and assembly alignment directly affect reliability. | Factory audit, process flow chart, inspection and test plan, calibration records and sample quality-control reports. |
| Factory Acceptance Testing | Performance, vibration, noise, leakage and pressure tests | Define the required tests before placing the order. The test plan should identify measuring instruments, tolerances, test medium, acceptance criteria and the procedure for handling deviations. | Approved inspection and test plan, calibrated instrument certificates, signed test report and optional witnessed FAT records. |
| Reliability and Maintainability | Mean time between failures, wear components and service access | Ask for application-relevant operating references without relying solely on general claims. Assess the design of replaceable wear parts, seal access, bearing replacement and alignment requirements. | Anonymized project references, failure-analysis examples, maintenance schedule, exploded drawing and recommended overhaul procedure. |
| Documentation Quality | Completeness and language of technical documents | Require consistent documentation covering datasheets, curves, drawings, manuals, wiring information, spare parts and preservation instructions. Documents should match the supplied model and configuration. | Document register, sample operation and maintenance manual, general arrangement drawing and final data-book index. |
| Customization Capability | Configuration options and engineering response time | Determine whether the supplier can adapt materials, seals, motors, couplings, baseplates, coatings, voltage, frequency and control interfaces to the project requirements. | Technical deviation list, approved drawings, engineering-change procedure and sample custom design calculations. |
| Delivery and Export Readiness | Production lead time, packaging and shipping documentation | Assess the complete timeline from drawing approval to shipment. Export packaging should protect against moisture, impact and corrosion during international transport and storage. | Detailed production schedule, packaging specification, preservation procedure, commercial invoice, packing list and country-of-origin documentation. |
| Spare Parts Availability | Critical spare coverage and supply continuity | Identify commissioning, two-year and long-lead spares. Confirm interchangeability, part numbering and whether wear components will remain available throughout the planned equipment life. | Recommended spare-parts list, parts cross-reference, stock policy, standard lead times and spare-parts quotation. |
| After-Sales Support | Technical response, commissioning and warranty terms | Review response channels, remote troubleshooting, installation guidance, commissioning support and warranty exclusions. Clarify responsibilities for incorrect installation, dry running and unsuitable operating conditions. | Warranty document, service-level commitment, commissioning plan, troubleshooting guide and escalation contacts. |
| Commercial and Contractual Risk | Payment terms, inspection rights and deviation control | Use a purchase specification that clearly defines scope, standards, materials, testing, delivery terms, liquidated damages, warranty obligations and approval procedures for technical deviations. | Technical-commercial bid comparison, signed deviation schedule, inspection points and clearly defined Incoterms® 2020 delivery responsibility. |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Purchase, installation, energy, maintenance and disposal costs | Compare suppliers using the full life-cycle cost rather than the equipment price alone. Include electricity consumption, seal and bearing replacement, downtime, spare parts, installation and expected service life. | Five- to ten-year life-cycle cost model, energy assumptions, maintenance schedule, spare-parts prices and downtime-risk assessment. |