For All Design Problems

Remember to Begin with the End in Mind

Cover Sheet for Plans and Calculations

Plan of the Piping Configuration

Calculations for the Sizes of the Piping Selected and the Pressure Available at the Sources of the Fire Protection Water

A Hydraulic Graph to Show the Water Supply and the Design Operating Point for the Flow and Pressure of the Fire Protection System

Water Supply to Sprinkler System includes Total Demand Requirements

Fire Sprinkler Water Requirement
Area of Operation in Hazard times Density Demand PLUS Overage Factor due to Laws of Fluid Mechanics (usually 10 percent as a rule of thumb)

Hose Stream Requirement

Based on Occupancy Hazard Classification

Duration of Fire Event in minutes = Total Water Demand in Gallons

Very important for sizing water storage tanks or calculating the size of a pond.

Water Supply to Sprinkler System includes Total Demand Requirements

Area and Density are determined from Graph on next page from NFPA-13 Hose Stream Demand and Duration are determined from NFPA Tables
Light Hazard Ordinary Hazard Extra Hazard 100 gpm for 30 minutes 250 gpm for 60-90 minutes 500 gpm for 90-120 minutes

Factor for Overage is 10 Percent unless directed by AHJ to use a different factor.

Water Flow from Sprinkler

Orifice Discharge Formula

The orifice discharge formula is simplified for sprinkler heads because of the uniform diameter. The discharge in GPM (Q) = the orifice coefficient (k) times the square root of the pressure (p) at the orifice. Q = k p^.5 See text page 1098 K for sprinkler heads are shown in the text, page 1093

Orifice Discharge Formula

The orifice discharge formula is simplified for sprinkler heads because of the uniform diameter. Q = k p^.5 Because k will be constant for all calculations, the quantity of flow (Q) at each sprinkler head will be different due to change in pressure in the piping system due to friction loss based on the diameter and roughness of the piping. From the water supply end toward the most remote opening the flow rate will decrease. From the most remote opening toward the water supply the flow rate will increase.

Number of Spklrs to be Calculated

A very important element not included in this Textbook It must be a whole number, round up Number of sprinklers per branch
1.2 * A^.5 S
A = Design Area S = Distance between sprinklers on branch line

1st Total sprinklers to be calculated

Design Area Area per Sprinkler

It must be a whole number, round up

Heads in Design Area

OH1 2000sf 2000108= 18.5 or 19 1.2*2000^.5 12 = 4.47 or 5 hds per branch (14 * 108) + (5 * 90 = 1962 sf + 1 more head

System Design Approaches

Hydraulic Method in an Engineered System
Best because
it fits the piping layout
Maybe for economics Maybe for conservation of pressure available Maybe because of the way the building will be used

it it it it

the piping materials specified, many options the height of the building, elevation head is a big concern types of sprinklers heads used or required the density of water required for the hazard more accurately it can be used to control the velocity of flow in the piping. (32 fps maximum, some AHJ use 20 fps max.)

fits fits fits fits

Hydraulic Design Procedure

Determine the Design Conditions Determine the Water Demand based on Conditions Determine the Water Supply Static & Residual Pres. Layout the piping with relation to the building structure and building usage. Determine the Flow Rate and the Residual Pressure required at the Most Remote Sprinkler Head Determine the difference in the Residual Pressure from the Water Supply and the Operating Sprinklers including the Changes in Elevation Finally, size the piping.

An Example Water Supply Graph with Design Limits

Testing the Water Supply

Flow Test - usually local water department - contractors - insurance underwriters - routine for fire insurance rating
Static pressure - no flow, theoretical, done while mains are being used Residual pressure - with a flow rate

Flow Test Diagram

Pitot Tube to Measure Pressure

Pitot Reading Conversion

Log Graph

An Example Water Supply

Water Supply to Sprinkler System

Fire Sprinkler Water Requirement
Area of Operation in Hazard times Density Demand PLUS Overage Factor due to Laws of Fluid Mechanics (usually 10 percent as a rule of thumb) Plus required Hose Stream

Pressure Requirement
Minimum Pressure required at most remote sprinkler head to produce the flow rate required. Plus Elevation Head, the height of the most remote sprinkler head. Plus Friction Loss due flow through the piping.

Example Illustration

An Example Water Supply Graph with Design Limits

Determining the Quantity of Water Reqd is based on the Protected Hazard

Set-up for Calculations

Head layout 1st step
Follow the Rules

variable variable variable variable

Piping arrangement 2nd step Area of sprinkler operation - 3rd

Set Formula to Determine the Shape

Tree Configuration Branches perpendicular to supporting structure

Calculations 4th step extremely

Simple, IF you keep track of where flow is going

Example of Process
Starting Flow Rate
Density times Area of Head Coverage

Starting Pressure
Calculation p = (Q/k)^2, but not less than 7 psi If less than 7 psi, then use 7 psi to start

Pressure Required at 2nd Head

H-W pressure loss calculation

Calculating New Flow Rate for 2nd Head

Q = k(p^.5) Use the p required at that point

An Overview of the Whole Hydraulic Calculation Process

It is an Iterative Process. That is, making repetitions or being repetitious to achieve solutions. And, that is what it takes to achieve the most suitable and economical solutions in engineering any part of any building.

Tag the Nodes to Keep Order

Tag the Nodes to Keep Order

A 1st Branch to Riser Nipple B 1st Branch Riser Nipple to Cross Main C 2nd Branch Riser Nipple to Cross Main D 3rd Branch Riser Nipple to Cross Main E 4th Branch Riser Nipple to Cross Main F Cross Main to Feed Main

Example of Calculation

Example of Calculation