Hydraulic Institute Leadership at National Pump Company
March 23, 2026
National Pump Company’s long-standing involvement with the Hydraulic Institute (HI) reflects a commitment to advancing pump technology, standards, and workforce development across the fluid handling industry.
Who the Hydraulic Institute Is
The Hydraulic Institute is the largest association of pump manufacturers in North America and also includes system integrators, pump component suppliers, engineering and consulting firms, municipalities, operators, academia, and other industry experts. By collaborating across this broad membership, HI helps the industry align on standards, training, and tools that support reliable, efficient pump systems.
National Pump’s Role in HI
National Pump Company is an active HI participant, contributing to the development and revision of industry standards, guidebooks, and digital tools. The company currently takes part in 19 committees that address critical topics such as nomenclature, pump design and application, intake design, NPSH margin, vibration, foundations, and installation.
This committee work has supported recently released documents like HI 14.1–14.2 (Pump Nomenclature and Definitions), 14.3 (Pump Design and Application), 9.8 (Pump Intake Design), and 9.6.1 (Guideline for NPSH Margin), as well as a Pump Intake CFD Modeling Methodology Evaluation white paper. National Pump is also engaged in in‑progress documents on pump piping (9.6.6), allowable vibration limits (9.6.4), vibration troubleshooting (9.7.4), pump foundation design (14.5.1), installation and start-up (14.5.2), hydraulic performance field testing (14.7), and several application guidebooks for water, wastewater, and electric motor drivers.
Advancing Smart, Efficient Pumping
With energy costs rising over the last decade, many end users are looking for ways to increase system efficiency and deliver greater value to their customers. Variable speed drives (VSDs) have become more accessible and easier to integrate with sensors and software, enabling systems to operate closer to peak efficiency. However, not every pump and driver integrates seamlessly with a VSD, and issues such as resonance, electrical grounding, and sensor fitment need careful consideration.
To address this, HI has formed a “Smart Pump” committee to help users identify pumps that can be effectively integrated into software- and sensor-enabled systems. We look forward to contributing to this effort and helping define what the Smart Pump designation means at the pump, driver, and system levels.
Building the Next Generation of Pump Experts
As decades of pump expertise approach retirement, HI has increased its focus on training and certification to develop the next generation of professionals. A key initiative is the Pump System Certification (PSC), created for engineers, technicians, and salespeople who want to demonstrate a solid understanding of pumps, systems, and components.
PSC Level I is already available, and HI recently completed beta testing of PSC Level II, which emphasizes system-level considerations and real-world applications. National Pump has supported this effort by participating in the Level II beta testing, and engineers who completed the training report deeper system understanding and additional tools for tackling challenges beyond their day-to-day responsibilities. This investment enhances National Pump’s ability to work closely with customers to define system requirements and design aligned, dependable solutions.
Turning Standards into Everyday Tools
In addition to formal standards and certifications, HI offers practical resources such as its Data Tool, which provides information on flange dimensions, unit conversions, pump types, fluid properties, and definitions. By contributing to these types of tools and documents, National Pump helps ensure that end users, specifiers, and partners have accessible, up-to-date guidance for designing, selecting, and operating pump systems.
