Pumps are a necessity in many buildings, and usually are placed in the basement, on a solid foundation, as near the water main as possible. Where a large amount of pumping is to be done, a suction tank or reservoir of water, from which the pump finds its supply, is desirable.

The law compels the installing in fireproof apartment houses of a water line standpipe, from cellar to roof, with valves, hose nozzles, etc., on each floor landing, for use in case of fire, and also a "Siamese" water connection on the street, so that the city fire engines may find ready access to the necessary water supply near the building.