Role of Jockey Pumps in Fire Protection: New Jersey Fire Pumps

February 10th, 2026

Ever entered a fire pump room and saw a tiny pump at the side? That baby-sized pump is a jockey pump. Today, we will learn briefly about jockey pumps; they are often misunderstood and overlooked. Let’s make all the vague knowledge crystal clear.

If you manage or maintain a New Jersey fire pump, understanding how jockey pumps function strengthens your fire safety. Every component plays an important role in fire protection systems, especially those that maintain readiness. Such parts are important for the equipment to work in emergencies.

What Is a Jockey Pump and Its Function?

There are many misconceptions about fire pumps and jockey pumps. The pumps that maintain the pressure in fire hydrants, water pipelines, and sprinkler systems are jockey pumps. That’s their primary function. Sometimes, due to low municipal pressure, old pipelines, leaks, and wear & tear, the pressure declines. It is where jockey pumps become the savior for fire protection systems.

In such situations, a New Jersey fire pump can constantly turn off, but with a jockey pump, you can maintain the flow. The pump skips on startup and restarts repeatedly while keeping the device running despite tiny pressure drops. Besides, another advantage of a jockey pump system is that it handles all pressure drops, even minor ones caused by temperature changes.

Most jockey pumps are electrically powered and multistage. They are explicitly designed for accuracy rather than high-volume water supply. Unlike regular water pumps, they should never be used for non-fire protection applications, such as irrigation or washing.

Why Your Fire Pump System Needs a Jockey Pump

Let’s be honest, nobody wants their fire pump to stop working in the middle of an emergency. You cannot leave your pumping equipment screaming to life when pressure drops. And that is why jockey pumps are crucial for the rescue.

Automates the New Jersey fire pumps

Fire suppression systems must remain fully pressurized; if they fall below the ideal value, jockey pumps automatically turn on. They restore the pressure and turn off when all the pressure has recovered to their perfect level. This automated action prevents unnecessary activation of the main fire pump, which is critical because:

Main pumps are designed to run until manually stopped.
Frequent use of main pump cycling shortens mechanical life.
Unintended activation can trip alarms and waste energy

In short, the jockey pump protects the system and the equipment. If they work correctly, your main New Jersey fire pump can sit relaxed until a real emergency occurs.

Operation of New Jersey Fire Pumps Backed with Jockey Pumps

Fire pumps operate at a fixed pressure. Let’s suppose your fire pump is set to 10 bars, but for unavoidable reasons, the pressure drops to 8. So, jockey pumps increase the water pressure by 2 bar to meet the output requirements of your fire protection system. It’s just like an assistant that fixes the errors even before your boss notices. It does not make noise; it simply does work.

For a complete understanding of the working principle of a jockey pump, you can read our guide. Here’s a summary of its job:

The jockey pump works alongside pressure switches and sensors installed in the fire protection pipe network.
Every time a threshold drop is detected, the sensors signal the pump to turn on.
Once pressure is restored, the pump automatically shuts off through its control logic.

See how beautifully a jockey pump backs up the fire pumps. It ensures that the entire system remains ready. In a properly installed arrangement, the jockey pump is the first responder to minor pressure fluctuations, while larger pressure drops trigger the New Jersey Fire Pump system’s main operational units.

Signs of a Crashed Jockey Pump

Sometimes a jockey pump fails to work correctly, and that’s mostly because you might have ignored the earlier signs of failure. So, have a look below to learn about the earlier signs of a malfunctioning jockey pump of your fire protection system in New Jersey:

Repeated rapid cycling
Failure to shut off after achieving pressure
Long cycle duration without reaching the programmed pressure
The Main fire pump activates even during stable conditions

Frequent start-stop patterns may indicate micro-leaks or incorrectly set pressure switches. In these cases, scheduled inspection and leak diagnosis are crucial.

How to Maintain a Jockey Pump?

Routine maintenance of any pump is essential to ensure it works smoothly in an emergency or whenever you need it. It’s best for equipment reliability, resilience, and health.

Monthly functional and no churn testing
Annual pressure and control calibration
Visual inspection of seals, valves, and tank connection points
Review of start-stop frequency logs

In modern New Jersey fire pumps and jockey pumps, you can also see the number of activations. It helps you detect the abnormal cycling patterns. So, use this feature to your advantage.

Callaghan Pump is a trusted fire pump supplier in New Jersey. Our seasoned team has a comprehensive understanding of fire and water pumps, both theoretical and practical.

Share your requirements and let us know what you need. The specialists are ready to assist you. Feel free to contact here.