94

Clockwise rotation
~

suction_~o'-Discharge 0 0

o ® 0

,~~2~~

---=<­
Section A·A
Suction Suction TOP VIEW

~ /

Some
diesels
available in Diesel
this rotation engines
at no extra available in
cost this rotation

Counterclockwise rotation
Clockwise rotation
when viewed from
when viewed from
driver end
driver end SIDE VIEW

FIGURE A.5.22(a) Horizontal Pump Shaft Rotation. FIGURE A.5.22(b) Vertical Pump Shaft Rotation.

5.24* Pressure Maintenance (Jockey or Make-Up) Pumps

Depending on factors such as the naturc of the water supply or leakage through the system
piping, pressure drops or fluctuations can occur within the fire protection system. These
pressure fluctuations can cause the fire pump to operate even though the fire protection
system has not activated - that is, a sprinkler did not actuate or a standpipe valve was not
opened. It is not the intent to operate the fire pump frequently for short durations to maintain
system pressure. Fire pumps are not designed nor are they intended for this purpose. Subsection
5.24.6 prohibits the use of fire pumps as pressure maintenance devices.
Although pressure maintenance pumps (also called make~up pumps or jockey pumps)
are not required, some method of maintaining system pressure, other than through the fire
pump(s), must be provided. The pump, as illustrated in Exhibit II.5.15, is the most frequently
used method to maintain system pressure. For systems that use the underground piping for
both domestic and fire protection purposes, the operating pressure must be coordinated and
the domestic pumps can operate as pressure maintenance pumps.
A.5.24 Pressure maintenance (jockey or make~up) pumps should be used where it is desirable
to maintain a uniform or relatively high pressure on the fire protection system. A jockey
pump should be sized to make up the allowable leakage rate within 10 minutes or I gpm
(3.8 Umin), whichever is larger.
A domestic water pump in a dual-purpose watcr supply system can function as a means
of maintaining pressure.

5.24.1 Pressure maintenance pumps shall have rated capacities not less than any normal
leakage rate.
Pressure maintenance pumps, also called jockey pumps, are generally low-flow, high-pressure
pumps. For sprinkler systems, jockey pumps are usually sized to flow an amount of water

2007 Handbook for Stationary Fire pumps

 Part II • NFPA 20 95

EXHIBff 1/.5.15 Pressure

Maintenance Pump.

less than or equal to that required by a single sprinkler. This way, if a sprinkler opens on
the system, the jockey pump will not be able to keep up with system demand, the pressure
will continue to fall. and the fire pump will start usually after an additional 5 psi (0.3 bar)
has been lost to friction following the start of the jockey pump. See Chapter 14 Annex A
material for recommendations on starting pressures for jockey pumps and fire pumps.
A general rule of thumb for sizing jockey pumps has been to take 1 percent of the fire
pump rated capacity and 10 psi (0.7 bar) greater than the pressure rating of the fire pump.
For example, a fire pump with a rated capacity of 1000 gpm at 100 psi (3785 Llmin at 6.9
bar) should be provided with a jockey pump of 10 gpm at 110 psi (37.8 Llmin at 7.6 bar)
rated capacity. The only exception to this general rule is when older underground systems
leak excessively. Then the jockey pump capacity should be increased further based on the
m leakage rate of the underground system.
,e
m 5.24.2 The pumps shall have discharge pressure sufficient to maintain the desired fire
ot protection system pressure.
In
m 5.24.3 A check valve shall be installed in the discharge pipe.
IS) 5.24.4* Indicating butterfly or gate valves shall be installed in such places as needed to
re make the pump, check valve, and other miscellaneous fittings accessible for repair.
ly
'or A.5.24.4 See Figure A.S.24.4.
rtd
5.24.5* Excess Pressure.
lIe A.5.24.5 A centrifugal-type pressure maintenance pump is preferable.
ey The following notes apply to a centrifugal-type pressure maintenance pump:
lm (1) A jockey pump is usually required with automatically controlled pumps.
(2) Jockey pump suction can come from the tank filling supply line. This situation would
ins allow high pressure to be maintained on the fire protection system even when the supply
tank is empty for repairs.
(3) Pressure-sensing lines also need to be installed in accordance with 10.5.2.1. [See Figure
A. 10.5.2. 1(a) and Figure A.IO.5.2.1(b).}

lfe
5.24.5.1 Where a centrifugal-type pressure maintenance pump has a total discharge pressure
with the pump operating at shutoff exceeding the working pressure rating of the fire protection
rn
ter equipment, or where a turbine vane (peripheral) type of pump is used, a relief valve sized

IPS Handbook for Stationary Fire Pumps 2007

96 Part II • NFPA 20

fA
I

---h---{>'<}------­
Fromlai1kor~
fill
tank line
Pu.

,
r--
-f-.-
Hose
header
---tk- gate
08&Y
valve
08&Y gate valve
or indicating butterfly

---f'-.-J- Check valve o Fire pump

valve
Jockey pump

FIGURE A.5.24.4 Jockey Pump Installation with Fire

Pump.

to prevent overpressuring of the system shall be installed on the pump discharge to prevent
damage to the fire protection system.
5.24.5.2 Running period timers shall not be used where jockey pumps are utilized that have
the capability of exceeding the working pressure of the fire protection systems.

5.24.6 The primary or standby tire pump shall not be used as a pressure maintenance pump.

5.24.7 Steel pipe shall be used for suction and discharge piping on jockey pumps, which
includes packaged prefabricated systems.

5.25 Summary of Centrifugal Fire Pump Data

•i
t !'
The sizes indicated in Table 5.25(a) and Table 5.25(b) shall be used as a minimum.

co
5.26 Backflow Preventers and Check Valves un
pn
5.26.1 Check valves and backflow prevention devices and assemblies shall be listed for
tire protection service. 5,;
tic
5.26.2 Relief Valve Drainage. 5.:
5.26.2.1 Where the backflow prevention device or assembly incorporates a relief valve, the
relief valve shall discharge to a drain appropriately sized for the maximum anticipated flow
5.:
ca
from the relief valve.
Relief valves on reduced pressure backflow preventers (shown in Exhibit II.5.16) can dis­ 5.
charge a great deal of water. The drain for these devices needs to be adequately sized to de
handle this flow. When reduced pressure backflow preventers are used, the pressure mainte­ su
nance pump sensing line connection should be made on the supply side of the reduced
pressure backflow preventers. If the pressure maintenance pump is permitted to pressurize w
W:
the system side of a reduced pressure backflow preventer, the pressure relief valve remains
di
open, continually discharging water into the drain.
The air gap on a reduced pressure backflow preventer is necessary for two reasons. th
h~
First, without an air gap, the backflow preventer becomes a potential cross connection that

2007 Handbook for Stationary Fire Pumps