Product Introduction
The Series is a Vertical Multi-stage Jockey Pump, also known as a Pressure Maintenance Pump. It is a small, high-efficiency pump that serves a crucial support role within a larger, NFPA 20 compliant fire pump system. Its purpose is not to fight fires, but to automatically maintain a high, constant water pressure in the fire sprinkler and hydrant piping. By handling the small, inevitable pressure losses from minor system leaks, the jockey pump prevents the massive main fire pump from starting unnecessarily, thereby protecting the entire system from wear, pressure surges, and premature failure.
Design Philosophy & Construction
The pump is specifically engineered to produce high pressure at a low flow rate, a unique requirement for pressure maintenance.
- Vertical, In-line, Multi-stage Design:
- Space-Saving Footprint: The pump features a vertical, in-line design where the suction and discharge ports are on the same axis. This gives it an extremely small footprint, allowing it to be easily installed in any fire pump room without interfering with the main pump and its piping.
- High-Pressure Capability: The “multi-stage” construction consists of a stack of several smaller impellers and diffusers working in series. This design is exceptionally efficient at generating the high pressure needed to keep the fire system pressurized, while delivering the low flow rate required to compensate for small leaks.
- System Integration:
- The jockey pump is installed in parallel with the main fire pump and is connected to its own dedicated jockey pump controller.
- This controller uses a pressure switch set to a higher pressure range than the main fire pump’s controller. When a small leak causes a minor pressure drop, the jockey pump starts, quickly restores the pressure, and shuts off. If a major event occurs (like a sprinkler head opening), the pressure drops so rapidly that the jockey pump cannot keep up, causing the pressure to fall to the activation point of the main fire pump.
Key Features & Benefits
- Protects the Main Fire Pump: This is its most critical benefit. By handling minor leaks, it prevents the large, expensive main fire pump from frequent, unnecessary starts and stops, which cause significant mechanical wear, electrical strain, and pressure surges (water hammer).
- Maintains System Readiness: It ensures the fire protection system is always fully pressurized and ready for immediate, effective operation the instant a sprinkler head is activated.
- Energy and Cost Savings: The jockey pump’s small electric motor consumes a tiny fraction of the energy required to start a main fire pump (which can be hundreds of horsepower), resulting in significant long-term energy savings.
- Code Compliance: The use of a pressure maintenance pump is a standard requirement under NFPA 20 for most fire pump installations to ensure system longevity and reliability.
- High Reliability & Low Maintenance: Built with high-quality materials and designed for frequent on-off cycles, the pump provides years of dependable service.
Common Applications
The jockey pump’s application is singular and essential:
- Pressure Maintenance for Automatic Fire Protection Systems: It is an indispensable component in virtually every fire pump installation, working alongside the main pump(s) to ensure the system remains pressurized. It is used in systems serving:
- Commercial High-Rise Buildings
- Industrial Plants and Warehouses
- Hospitals, Airports, and Data Centers
- Any facility protected by an automatic sprinkler or hydrant system that utilizes a main fire pump.
