What Is A Jockey Pump?

Are you curious to know what is a jockey pump? You have come to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about a jockey pump in a very simple explanation. Without further discussion let’s begin to know what is a jockey pump?

In the realm of fire protection systems, the jockey pump stands as a silent guardian, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the readiness and efficiency of these systems. Often overlooked yet essential, the jockey pump serves as a critical component in maintaining adequate pressure and reliability in fire suppression systems.

What Is A Jockey Pump?

A jockey pump is a small, dedicated pump within a fire protection system designed to maintain system pressure at an optimal level. Unlike main fire pumps that activate during a fire event, the jockey pump operates continuously to keep the system pressurized within the desired range.

Functions And Significance

Pressure Maintenance: The primary function of a jockey pump is to maintain consistent pressure within the fire protection system. It ensures that the system is ready for immediate activation when needed, reducing response time in case of a fire emergency.
Preventing Pressure Loss: By compensating for small leaks or pressure drops within the system, the jockey pump prevents pressure loss, ensuring that the system remains primed and operational at all times.
Efficiency Enhancement: Jockey pumps assist in reducing wear and tear on main fire pumps by minimizing their frequent activation for small pressure adjustments. This extends the life of the main pump and enhances overall system efficiency.

Operation And Design

Jockey pumps are typically small, electrically powered pumps that operate at a constant speed. They are connected to a pressurized water source, often a water storage tank or a dedicated supply line, and are equipped with sensors and controls to maintain system pressure within specified limits.

Role In Fire Protection Systems

Fire protection systems, such as sprinkler systems or standpipes, rely on maintaining adequate pressure to deliver water swiftly and effectively in the event of a fire. The jockey pump’s continuous operation ensures that the system is always prepared to respond rapidly to any fire threat, safeguarding lives and property.

Conclusion

In the intricate web of fire protection systems, the jockey pump emerges as a silent yet indispensable component, ensuring the reliability and readiness of these systems. Its continuous operation and pressure maintenance contribute significantly to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of fire suppression systems.

By understanding the critical role played by the jockey pump in maintaining system integrity, fire safety professionals and building owners can appreciate its significance and ensure its proper maintenance to guarantee optimal performance when it matters most: during a fire emergency.

FAQ

How Does Jockey Pump Work?

A jockey pump is a small pump connected to a fire sprinkler system to maintain pressure in the sprinkler pipes. This is to ensure that if a fire-sprinkler is activated, there will be a pressure drop, which will be sensed by the fire pumps automatic controller, which will cause the fire pump to start.

Why Is It Called Jockey Pump?

Just as a jockey is the (small) rider on a race horse, the jockey pump (in a sprinkler system) is the small pump compared to the large pump (the horse?). The small pump maintains pressure above the starting pressure of the larger pump so that it will not start unless needed due to system activation.

Is Jockey Pump Always Running?

The jockey pump starts every 30 minutes or so when the pressure drops from 200 PSI to 150 PSI. It only runs for one second.

Is A Jockey Pump A Booster Pump?

A jockey pump is a small pump which maintains the pressure in a system without the aid of any other pump. It saves starting the main pump. A booster pump raises the pressure that the main pump cannot reach in order for the fluid to be able to enter the ‘high’ pressure system.

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