How Bangkok is using portable high-pressure pumps to address water access challenges in densely populated neighborhoods.

The MARK-3® pump is best known for wildland firefighting. For decades, firefighters have relied on portable pumps to draw water from streams, lakes, and other remote sources, often pumping over long distances and significant elevation changes.

But high-pressure portable pumps have applications well beyond the forest.

In Bangkok, Thailand, the challenge is different. Firefighters aren't necessarily far from a water source. In many cases, they're surrounded by water. The difficulty is getting that water to a fire in neighborhoods where conventional fire trucks have limited access.

In August 2026, Bangkok Fire and Rescue deployed 50 WATERAX MARK-3® Watson Edition pumps across its fire stations following an extensive evaluation process.

The challenge: Getting water into hard-to-reach neighborhoods

Bangkok has many densely populated communities built along narrow streets, alleyways, and canals.

In some neighborhoods, buildings are packed closely together, leaving little room for fire trucks to maneuver. Hydrant coverage can also be limited, requiring firefighters to establish alternative water supplies.

Fortunately, Bangkok has an extensive network of canals, along with cisterns and other available water sources.

The challenge is getting that water from the source to the fire.

Firefighters need equipment they can carry through narrow passages, set up near the water, and use to supply hose lines over longer distances.

Bangkok Fire and Rescue already had portable pumps capable of delivering the pressure and flow required for these operations. However, their size and weight made them difficult to transport quickly into confined areas.

The department was looking for a more portable solution without sacrificing pumping performance.

Evaluating the MARK-3® Watson Edition

WATERAX distributor Safety Point System Co., Ltd. introduced the MARK-3® Watson Edition pump to Bangkok Fire and Rescue.

The MARK-3® was originally developed for wildland firefighting, where crews often need to carry equipment into areas inaccessible to vehicles.

Those same characteristics make it well suited to Bangkok's urban environment.

Weighing just 44 lb (20 kg), the MARK-3® Watson Edition pump can be carried by one firefighter and positioned near an available water source.

Its four-stage centrifugal pump end is designed to deliver high pressure for applications such as long hose lays and pumping against elevation.

The pump also features a purpose-built 140cc two-stroke engine, designed for continuous operation at full throttle.

For reference, its published hydraulic performance includes:

  • 80 GPM (303 L/min) at 100 PSI (6.9 bar)
  • 70 GPM (265 L/min) at 150 PSI (10.3 bar)
  • 40 GPM (151 L/min) at 250 PSI (17.2 bar)

The MARK-3® Watson Edition pump has a maximum shut-off pressure of 380 PSI (26.2 bar) and a maximum free-flow capacity of 100 GPM (379 L/min).

These capabilities allow departments to design pumping operations around available water sources, hose distances, and the pressure required at the point of use.

Testing the equipment in Bangkok

Before selecting the MARK-3® Watson Edition pump, Bangkok Fire and Rescue conducted numerous demonstrations and an extensive testing process.

The evaluation included hands-on demonstrations with firefighters and testing near the waterfront.

The objective was to determine whether the MARK-3® could provide the required pressure and flow while being easier to move and deploy in areas with restricted access.

Following the evaluation, the department selected the MARK-3® Watson Edition pump for its portable pumping program.

50 pumps deployed across the city

In August 2026, Bangkok Fire and Rescue deployed 50 MARK-3® Watson Edition pumps to fire stations across the city.

The deployment gives firefighters a common portable pumping platform for operations in communities where fire trucks cannot reach the fire directly.

It also demonstrates an application of the MARK-3® that may be relevant to other departments facing similar challenges.

Urban neighborhoods with narrow access routes, rural communities with limited hydrant coverage, and areas where natural water sources are available but difficult to access can all benefit from portable high-pressure pumping equipment.

Portable pumping beyond wildland firefighting

The MARK-3® pump was developed for wildland firefighting, but its applications are not limited to that environment.

Departments also use portable high-pressure pumps for rural fire protection, relay pumping, emergency water transfer, and other operations where conventional apparatus cannot reach the water source or the fire.

Bangkok is a good example of how the same equipment can address a different operational challenge.

The department needed to maintain pumping performance while making it easier for crews to reach confined areas. Following testing, it selected the MARK-3® Watson Edition and deployed 50 units across its fire stations.

For WATERAX, this project is another example of how portable pumping equipment can be adapted to the needs of different firefighting environments around the world.

Learn more

For information about the MARK-3® Watson Edition pump or assistance with a portable pumping application, contact the WATERAX team or your local distributor.

Project: Bangkok Fire and Rescue, Thailand
Local WATERAX distributor: Safety Point System Co., Ltd.
Deployment: August 2026