Which component is designed to maintain system pressure during small fluctuations in a water-based fire protection system?

Which component is designed to maintain system pressure during small fluctuations in a water-based fire protection system?

• A. Jockey pump
• B. Booster pump
• C. Fire pump
• D. Transfer pump

Answer: (A)

A jockey pump is used to keep the water-based fire protection system at the desired pressure when only small changes occur. It’s a small-capacity pump that automatically kicks in whenever the system pressure dips below a set point, then stops once the pressure is restored. This prevents minor leaks, temperature changes, or valve operations from triggering the larger fire pump and reduces wear and cycling. Understanding the other pumps helps place its role: a booster pump raises pressure when the normal supply is insufficient for the system, typically over longer heights or distances; a fire pump provides the main high-volume flow needed during a fire; a transfer pump moves water from one source to another and isn’t used to regulate system pressure during normal fluctuations.

A jockey pump is used to keep the water-based fire protection system at the desired pressure when only small changes occur. It’s a small-capacity pump that automatically kicks in whenever the system pressure dips below a set point, then stops once the pressure is restored. This prevents minor leaks, temperature changes, or valve operations from triggering the larger fire pump and reduces wear and cycling.

Understanding the other pumps helps place its role: a booster pump raises pressure when the normal supply is insufficient for the system, typically over longer heights or distances; a fire pump provides the main high-volume flow needed during a fire; a transfer pump moves water from one source to another and isn’t used to regulate system pressure during normal fluctuations.