pressure increase while the booster pump in standstill position

The pressure on any point on a reticulation system depends on the static head above it minus friction in the pipes.

The pressure will increase if other users (above and below) use less water, reduced flow = reduced friction = more pressure.

It may also be that the supply reservoir is fuller.

Or a booster pump in the system might be on.

Is this change occurring regular?

The pressure on any point on a reticulation system depends on the static head above it minus friction in the pipes.

The pressure will increase if other users (above and below) use less water, reduced flow = reduced friction = more pressure.

Still going up from 125 psi to 180 psi ? 55 psi more ! Also if some pump is on then that pump has to be of 180 psi which they do not have.

Maybe having a labour problem where somebody is fooling around with a hand lever hydraulic testing pump(used for hydraulic of pipelines , boilers & vessels 1.5 times the operating pressure). He said keeps rising every 2 hours - guy also gets tired.

125 psi x 1.5 = 187.5 psi . If I am correct by fluke.

Without a schemaic of the system, it is all conjecture, wag, whatever you wish to call it. If you want to employ wag, if the system is in a deadhead condition, and the system is working against a positive head, and the column of water is trapped via a check valve to keep it from unloading, the deadhead is translated to heat, which causes the system pressure to rise. It would seem to me that you would have a system relief to compensate for this. Water hydraulics is so basic as compared to hydraulics. Pressure control is so elementary in either system. If you know how to read the schematics, the answer should be there, if not put it in the system. Look at the root cause, not the symptom to find the answer.

you must note the accumulaote pressure gauge is pressure is constant on accumulator? may be problem in accumulator also check the type which u r using ? is it baloon /bledder type.

Hi guest,

Where's your location?

what time do you pressure up? and what time does pressure goes up when stand by? Have you consider liquid expansion during day time? install a pressure relief valve on your system so that it will bleed off above setting. this will protect your system from bursting.

To ensure also that no gas trap on the system (it may also the gas cause your problem) install air release at the highest point of your system, so that it will be exhausted from your system.

Good luck!

As you know, your "fire protection" system is separate from the domestic water system, altough it is connected to the municipal system at some point ahead of the building water meter. Having a jockey pump indicates that you have a high rise standpipe system or a low pressure municipal water system. In either case, you are unable to maintain a minimum of 20 psi at the highest point in the standpipe system, required for sprinklers. Several things come to mind regarding the flucuation in the system pressure. Some municipalities require a "break" tank for the building standpipe system, which allows the fire pump and jockey pump to pump out of an atmospheric tank. This tank is generally sized to supply a minimum of 30 minute supply of water to the standpipe system which gives the fire department time to connect its pumper to the system through the fire department connection. If the system does not incorporate a break tank, I would first monitor the municpal pressure at the suction side of the jockey pump. 55 psi variation in pressure is excessive, but it could be happening especially if the facility is in a location where there are hills, and if the facility is surrounded by other buildings that would affect the flow and pressure thus in the municipal system. You should check the pressure controls on the jockey pump to assure they are operating properly and at the prescribed pressures. 180 psi is on the hig end for standard pipe and fittings at regular ambient temperatures, however, there could be premature operation of the sprinklers at those higher pressures, so it would be a good idea to install a pressure relief valve. A pressure relief valve system can be installed across the jockey pump, between the discharge and suction of the pump to maintain the 125 psi, which would alliviate the over pressure. If the jockey pump operates frequently, there could be a leak in the system. Otherwise, if it is possible, isolate each pipe riser to locate the source of the overpressure. You might also look for a possible source of high heat along the route of the standpipe system, which could cause overpressure.

Hope this helps.

g scott

________________________________________________________________

When I ponder, I sits and thinks, sometimes, I just sits.

The pump might be the supply pump delivering halfway between the reservoir and the user. the pressure at the point of interest would then increase by 2 time the difference in friction in the upper part of the system.

Without plans it is impossible to guess.

The additional pressure must come from somewhere. If not it should be patented as free power.

it is impossible for pressure to increase while the pump is off. What is the max pressure the system reaches while the pump is on. You say an accumalator is in place. Check the gas pressure in the bladder of the accumalotor is constant. If not the problem lies there.

Check if the pressure fluctuates while the pump is running. If yes then you are sure the problem is with the accumalator.

How long is this happening. It may not take too long for complete failure of the bladder.

It is always better to have a safety pressure relief valve in a flow system, so as exceeding limit pressures should not cause any damages to the flow system.A by pass loop may be connected to the supply reservoir for discharging the excess flow back in to it. Pressure accumulators also have limitations, the excess pressures result in back pressures on the pump, seals and glands resulting sometimes in a premature failures of the pump or motor by over loading it, jamming it and over heating the windings of the motor itself.

If the system is closed (trapped), not fed from an atmospheric vented tank, the extra pressure may be from expansion due to heat (sun or warmer day) as already mentioned by another reply.

Well said..

In reading some of these replies, is it possible that some do not understand the purpose of the standpipe in a fire protection system? That it is normally a closed system and the main fire pump is energized only when there is a significant loss in system pressure, indicating sprinklers and / or a hose from a fire hose rack having been activated. And that the jockey pump only maintains system pressure until the system is activated ? If the system includes a break tank, then I would surmise that heat is causing the rise in pressure, either from an external source or possible cold make-up water being introduced by the jockey pump. Since water is practically incompressible, it would take little change in volume due to increase in temperature to raise the pressure. If the system does not incorporate a break tank, but is connected directly to the municipal system, changes in municipal system pressure would be transmitted to the standpipe system...wouldn't you think ?

I Am agree and confirming to reply No. 10

also the following Notes should checked:

1- Pressure gauge accuracy to be checked

2- Relief valve and pressure reducing valve to limit the system pressure to 175 psi for sprinkler system ( if any) to be checked for location and adjustment.

3- Ajustment for jockey pump pressure switch should be checked.

4- installation of all piping inside pump room has to be checked.

good luck

problem= thermal expansion solution= install air relief valve install pressure relief valve, install ball valve upstream of PRV and lock