𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐉𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐲) 𝐏𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐅𝐏𝐀 𝟐𝟎

𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐉𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐲) 𝐏𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐅𝐏𝐀 𝟐𝟎

According to NFPA 20, pressure maintenance or jockey pumps should be used where it is essential to maintain a uniform or high water pressure on the fire protection system. We recommend using a jockey pump to minimize pressure surges in all situations.

Selecting the right Pressure Maintenance or Jockey Pump for your fire protection system is not just a task; it's an art. Let's break down the essentials to ensure your system is not just compliant but operates seamlessly when it matters most.

In a fire protection system, a jockey pump, also known as a pressure maintenance pump, is a crucial component that maintains constant pressure in the piping system when the system is not actively flowing water. This ensures that water is readily available at fire hydrants and sprinkler heads, even when the main fire pumps are not running.

𝐍𝐅𝐏𝐀 𝟐𝟎 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 20 standard outlines specific requirements for pressure maintenance jockey pumps. These requirements are designed to ensure that the pumps are properly sized and installed to maintain system pressure and prevent false alarms.

Electric Power Source: The jockey pump must be connected to a reliable source of electric power to ensure continuous operation in case of a power outage.

Pump Capacity: The jockey pump must have a capacity of at least 1% of the main fire pump's capacity to maintain system pressure even with minor leaks or water demands.

Discharge Pressure: The jockey pump must have a discharge pressure of at least 20 psi (138 kPa) higher than the system pressure to quickly restore pressure if it drops.

Pressure Gauge: A pressure gauge is required to monitor the system pressure.

Relief Valve: A relief valve is required to prevent overpressurization of the system and protect piping and components.

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

In addition to the NFPA 20 requirements, consider these factors when selecting a pressure maintenance jockey pump:

• Jockey Pump Head: The jockey pump's pressure should exceed the main fire pump's pressure by at least 10 psi to prevent false alarms.

• Pressure Sensing Line: Install an individual pressure sensing line (15 mm) between the jockey pump's discharge check valve and isolation valve.

• Valves and Components: Listing is not required for jockey pump valves and components.

• Isolation Valve Supervision: Supervision is not required for isolation valves serving the jockey pump.

• Discharge Pipe Valves: Install a check valve and isolation valve in the jockey pump's discharge pipe.

• Suction Side Isolation Valve: Install an isolation valve on the suction side of the jockey pump to isolate it for maintenance.

𝐉𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐒𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠

The jockey pump's size should be adequate to replenish system pressure due to allowable leakage and pressure drops. The discharge pressure should maintain the desired system pressure as follows:

For Above-Ground Piping:

Size the jockey pump to provide a flow rate of less than a single fire sprinkler. This ensures the main fire pump starts and runs, indicating a water flow situation where a sprinkler has opened.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬:

NFPA 24 allows some leakage in underground mains. A common guideline is to select a pump that can replenish the allowable leakage rate in 10 minutes or 1 gpm, whichever is larger.

Rule of Thumb for Sizing:

Use 1% of the fire pump's rated capacity as a rule of thumb for sizing jockey pumps supplying underground piping.

Example:

A fire pump with a rated capacity of 1000 gpm would require a jockey pump flow rate of 1000 gpm * 1% = 10 gpm.

Remember to consult with a qualified fire protection engineer to determine the specific jockey pump requirements for your fire protection system. They can assess your system's needs and make recommendations based on factors such as the system's size, complexity, and location.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:

i. Pump: 1000 GPM, 100 psi pump with churn pressure of 115 psi

ii. Suction supply: 50 psi from the city — minimum static; 60 psi from the city — maximum static

iii. Jockey pump stop = 115 psi + 50 psi = 165 psi

iv. Jockey pump start = 165 psi - 10 psi = 155 psi

v. Fire pump stop = 115 psi + 50 psi = 165 psi

vi. Fire pump start = 155 psi - 5 psi = 150 psi

vii. Fire pump maximum churn = 115 psi + 60 psi = 175 psi

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:

In the world of fire protection, precision is power. Nail the pump selection, embrace the standards, and let your fire protection system shine when it counts!

More Details: 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲

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