SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS Reference No:

Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation
SITEVER
INSTRUCTION SIP-FP-0001
PROCESS Page of 10 SIP-FP-0001
001

Fire and Jockey Pump Installation

1.0 Introduction
2.0 Purpose
3.0 Scope
4.0 Application
5.0 Materials/ Equipment
6.0 Procedure
7.0 Points to Note
8.0 References

Version Date Authored by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

Caddy Hung
001 10/17/19 Engr. Jonas F. Monares Engr. Kevin F. Galiza.
Ken Shen

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 1 of 10

1.0 INTRODUCTION

A fire pump is designed to increase water pressure. The pump intake and discharge piping must be
capable of flowing the required volume to which the pump will add the needed pressure for fire
protection. The pump can be started manually, but is usually arranged to start automatically upon a
drop in system pressure or the activation of a fire suppression system.

A Jockey pump is a small pump connected to a fire sprinkler system and is intended to maintain
pressure in a fire protection piping system to an artificially high level so that the operation of a single
fire sprinkler will cause a pressure drop which will be sensed by the fire pump automatic controller,
causing the fire pump to start. The jockey pump is essentially a portion of the fire pump's control
system. A jockey pump is sized for a flow less than the flow to one sprinkler in order to ensure a system
pressure drop. Jockey pumps are typically small multistage centrifugal pumps, and do not have to be
listed or certified for fire system application. The control equipment for jockey pumps may however
carry approvals. Jockey pumps should be sized for 3% of the flow of the main fire pump and to provide
10psi more pressure than the main fire pump.

2.0 PURPOSE

Fire pumps are needed for main reason; to protect lives & properties against fire by supplying adequate
water supply to automatic sprinklers or standpipe systems. To meet building codes & insurance
requirements.

3.0 SCOPE

Provide a complete fire pumps system as defined by the latest edition of NFPA20.

4.0 APPLICATION

Fire pumps are powered by an electric motor or diesel engine. The sprinkler system pressure drops
significantly when one or more fire sprinklers are activated or alternatively when other firefighting
connections are opened, causing a pressure drop.

Types of building where fire pumps are used:

1. High Rise Building:

If fire breaks out in a room on the top storey of high rise building, sprinkler heads may need extra
help creating the water pressure required to douse the flames.

2. Storage Warehouse:
Large expanses of space have higher water pressure demands if a fire begins to spread. Warehouse
is a prime example because they don’t have walls or doors to slow the fire as its spread.

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 2 of 10

3. Building with water storage tanks:

In most cases. A building’s sprinkler system is supplied with water from the city. If your building has
on site storage for fire sprinklers, you should certainly plan on installing a pump to create water
pressure in case of a fire.

Listing Authorities;
1. Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
2. Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM)

Allowable Pump Types:

1. Horizontal Split Case
2. Vertical In-line
3. End Suction
4. Vertical Turbines

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 3 of 10

Jockey (pressure maintenance) pumps and

jockey controllers need not be listed for fire
protection service.
“The primary or standby fire pump shall not be
used as a pressure maintenance pump.”

A jockey pump should be sized such that it

CANNOT meet the flow demand of a single
sprinkler fixture.

5. TOOLS & EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS

A. TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Gantry Chain Block Nylon Sling

Shackle D-Type Open Wrench Crimping Pliers

Welding Machine Wire Brush Fire Blanket

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated
15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 4 of 10

Rotary Drill Grinder Metal Cutter

Safety Rubber Boots Safety Helmet with Glasses Vises

B. MATERIALS AND CONSUMABLES

Measuring tape Safety Gloves Verner Caliper

Level Bar Welding Rod Oxyacetylene

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 5 of 10

Oxyacetylene Cutter Welding Mask Welding Apron

Welding Gloves Welding Glass Respirator Mask

6. PROCEDURE

A. Site planning

 Receiving: Upon receiving the pump, it should be inspected for damage or shortages. If damage
has occurred, file a claim immediately with the company that delivered the pump. If the manual
is removed from the crating, do not lose or misplace.

B. Preparation

1. Check Approved Plan

Review and Evaluate the AFC-Approved for Construction

PLAN (Mechanical Plans) based on actual condition of the
site.

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 6 of 10

2. Foundation

The foundation should be sufficient substantial for form a

level, rigid support for combined weight of pump and
driver & maintain alignment of the installed unit.
Foundation bolts, of the proper size should be imbedded in
the concrete. A pipe sleeve, about 2 ½” diameters larger
that the bolts should be used to allow final positioning of
the bolt.

3. Mounting

Position the unit on the foundation and level the pump

base, using metal shims, so that pump shaft is in vertical
alignment and pump suction and discharge flanges are level
in both vertical and horizontal plane. Base may be grouted
following alignment. Use a plumb line from floor above to
establish centerline of pump and flexible drive shaft and
bearings.

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 7 of 10

4. Field Alignment

The faces of coupling halves should be spaced far enough

apart so that they cannot strike each other when the driver
rotor is moved toward the pump. The necessary tools for
checking the alignment of a flexible coupling are a straight
edge and taper gauge or a set of feeler gauges. Parallel
alignment check is made by placing a straight edge across
both coupling rims at the top, bottom and at both sides.
Correction for angular and parallel misalignment is made
by adjusting the shim under the driver. After each change,
it is necessary to recheck the alignment of the coupling
halves as adjustment in one direction may disturb
adjustment already made in another direction.

5. Grouting

Grouting compensates for unevenness in the foundation

and prevents vibration and shifting after mounting is
complete. Build a form around the base plate to contain
the grout, and sprinkle area with water to obtain a good
bond. The base should be completely filled with a good
quality, non-shrinking grout. The usual mixture two (2)
parts sand with sufficient water to flow freely. It is also
desirable to grout the leveling pieces, shims or wedges in
place. Foundation bolts should be fully tightened when
grout has hardened, usually about 48 hours after pouring.
Shim under the driver. After each change, it is necessary to
recheck the alignment of the coupling halves as
adjustment in one direction may disturb adjustment
already made in another direction.

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 8 of 10

6. Piping:

The suction piping, if not installed properly, is a potential

source of faulty operation. To achieve best performance, PIPING
provide for the following:
(a) Avoid using elbows close to the pump suction
flange. A minimum of six pipe diameters of straight
pipe should always be located between the elbow and
suction inlet. If elbows are used, they should be long
radius type.
(b) Suction pipe should be a minimum one size
larger than the suction flange. Suction pipe should
terminate at 'the suction flange of the pump through
an "eccentric reducer". Never install suction piping
that is smaller in diameter than the pump suction
flange.
(c) Suction throttling must never be attempted. This
could cause cavitation and damage to the pump.
(d) If a strainer is installed in the suction piping,
it must have a net free area of at least three (3)
times the area of the suction pipe. It should be
checked and cleaned periodically. The openings in
the screen must be .smaller than the sphere size
allowed for the impeller. Contact factory for
maximum sphere size.
(e) When the source of supply is feeding more than one
pump, separate suction lines are recommended.

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 9 of 10

7. POINTS TO NOTE

1. Never connect a fire pump to piping, always

start piping from unit

2. Use as few bends as possible and preferably

long radius ones.

3. Support of the piping at the pump may be

made by two pipes hangers, floor saddle or
floor flanges, place on line close to pump.

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page 10 of 10

4. Layout the suction line with a continual rise

towards the pump without high points, thus
eliminating possibility of air pockets.

5. Install, at all pumps suction, a straight pipe

of a length equivalent to 4-6 times its
diameter.

8. REFERENCES
 Installation and operation manual centrifugal Pumps by Weinman.
 Installation and operating manual for fire pumps by Armstrong.
 NFPA-20 Standard for the installation of stationary Pumps for Fire Protection.
 Fire Pump System in NFPA 20 Standard - ETNA
 https://maker.pro/custom/tutorial/the-basic-mechanical-tools-you-need-for-your-workshop
 https://interestingengineering.com/25-tools-every-engineer-should-have-to-fix-everything

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph
 SITE INSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reference No:
Fire and Jockey Pump Installation SIP-FP-0001
VER 001 Page of 10

Rapidsteel Builders Incorporated

15A Toclong Road, Brgy. Toclong, Kawit Cavite, 1005 Philippines
Telephone: (046) 434-5660
www.rapidsteel.ph