Fire protection systems are critical to safeguarding lives, property, and assets. Among the many components that ensure these systems operate reliably, the jockey pump (also known as a pressure maintenance pump or make-up pump) plays a surprisingly vital role. While the larger fire pumps—such as electric motor-driven or diesel engine-driven fire pumps—are often seen as the core of fire safety infrastructure, the jockey pump is the unsung hero that ensures these main pumps only operate when truly needed.
In this article, we’ll explore what a jockey pump is, how it functions, why it matters for fire protection systems, and how proper maintenance of jockey pumps enhances overall system reliability.
A jockey pump is a small-capacity pump connected to a fire protection system, designed specifically to maintain pressure within the piping network. It compensates for minor pressure drops caused by small leaks, system testing, or temperature fluctuations.
Unlike the main fire pump, which is designed to deliver large volumes of water during emergencies, the jockey pump is not intended to fight fires directly. Instead, it keeps the fire protection system primed and ready so that when a fire occurs, the main fire pump activates immediately at full capacity.
To understand the jockey pump’s function, it’s important to look at how fire protection systems maintain water pressure:
Monitoring System Pressure
The jockey pump is controlled by pressure switches. When system pressure drops below a preset level, the jockey pump automatically starts to restore it.
Compensating for Minor Losses
Small leaks, evaporation, or maintenance activity can cause minor pressure drops. Without a jockey pump, these minor losses would continuously trigger the main fire pump, leading to unnecessary wear and tear.
Maintaining Standby Readiness
By keeping pressure consistent, the jockey pump ensures that when a sprinkler or hydrant is activated during an emergency, the main fire pump will start under optimal conditions.
In short, the jockey pump maintains stability so that the fire protection system is always in a state of readiness, avoiding false alarms or unnecessary system stress.
Many building owners and facility managers underestimate the jockey pump’s importance. Here are the main reasons why a jockey pump is essential:
Without a jockey pump, even a tiny leak could cause the main fire pump to engage repeatedly. Frequent short-cycling can damage components, increase energy consumption, and reduce the pump’s operational lifespan.
By keeping water pressure within the designed range, jockey pumps ensure that the fire protection system remains fully pressurized at all times. This reliability can be the difference between an immediate response and a delayed one in the event of a fire.
Since jockey pumps are smaller and more efficient, they handle pressure maintenance at a fraction of the energy cost of a main pump. Over time, this reduces operational expenses while extending the service life of larger pumps.
Organizations like NFPA 20 (Standard for the Installation of Stationary Fire Pumps for Fire Protection) require jockey pumps for many fire pump installations. This ensures compliance with international fire safety standards.
While both are part of a fire protection system, jockey pumps and main fire pumps serve very different functions:
Jockey Pump: Maintains system pressure, prevents unnecessary activation of the main pump, operates under normal conditions.
Fire Pump (Electric or Diesel): Provides large water flow during actual fire emergencies, engages only when sprinklers or hydrants demand significant pressure.
This distinction highlights why jockey pumps are preventive in nature while main fire pumps are reactive, designed for emergencies.
Jockey pumps are installed in a wide range of fire protection systems, including:
High-rise buildings – Maintaining consistent pressure across multiple floors.
Industrial facilities – Preventing main pump wear in systems with extensive piping networks.
Warehouses and logistics centers – Keeping sprinkler systems charged and ready.
Hospitals, airports, and hotels – Where reliability and compliance with safety codes are essential.
Their versatility makes them a universal component in any fire protection system that depends on water pressure consistency.
When selecting a jockey pump, engineers and facility managers should keep several important factors in mind:
Flow Rate and Pressure
The pump must provide enough flow to compensate for system leakage but should never be oversized. Oversized jockey pumps can mask system leaks instead of signaling maintenance needs.
Automatic Controls
Jockey pumps must include pressure switches or controllers to start and stop automatically, maintaining system balance.
Durability and Materials
Since they operate frequently, jockey pumps should be built with robust materials that resist corrosion and wear.
Compatibility with Main Pump
The jockey pump should complement the main fire pump, ensuring smooth coordination without interfering with emergency activation.
Just like main fire pumps, jockey pumps require regular inspection and testing to remain reliable. Key practices include:
Weekly Inspections: Check pump casing, seals, and motor condition.
Pressure Testing: Confirm the pressure switch engages at the correct set point.
Performance Verification: Ensure the jockey pump restores system pressure effectively without delays.
Leak Detection: If the pump runs too frequently, it could indicate system leaks that need addressing.
Preventive maintenance not only prolongs the life of the pump but also ensures the entire fire protection system operates without failure.
Although jockey pumps are relatively simple devices, some common problems can arise:
Continuous Operation – Often caused by significant system leaks.
Failure to Start – Usually due to faulty pressure switches or electrical issues.
Overheating – Can occur if the pump cycles too frequently without proper cooling.
Incorrect Sizing – An oversized pump may hide leaks, while an undersized pump may fail to maintain pressure.
Identifying and correcting these issues promptly helps maintain fire system readiness.
With advancements in smart building technology, jockey pumps are becoming more integrated into automated monitoring systems. Modern fire protection systems can now:
Send remote alerts if the jockey pump operates outside normal parameters.
Record operational data for predictive maintenance.
Reduce unnecessary maintenance by optimizing performance schedules.
These innovations enhance safety while reducing operational costs for building owners and facility managers.
A jockey pump may be small compared to the main fire pump, but its role in maintaining system pressure and readiness is crucial for fire protection systems. It prevents wear on the main pump, ensures compliance with standards, reduces costs, and guarantees that a building’s fire fighting system is always prepared for emergencies.
By understanding how jockey pumps work, their importance in the system, and the need for proper sizing and maintenance, facility managers and engineers can make informed decisions that directly impact fire safety.
In fire protection, readiness is everything—and the jockey pump is the component that keeps the system ready at all times.
