Fire Flow Requirements and Calculation Methods
Detailed information on site fire flow and hydrant flow testing requirements, how to calculate required fire flow, applicable codes and standards including NFPA and IBC, duration of fire flow, methodologies for fire flow calculation, and ISO methods and formulas.
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SITE FIRE-FLOW & HYDRANT FLOW TESTING REQUIREMENTS MATT RUHRER ANSON NOWKA
OUTLINE OUTLINE HOW TO CALCULATE REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW APPLICABLE CODES FIRE FLOW CALCULATION METHODS PRESSURE REQUIRED FOR FIRE FIGHTING FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TEST REQUIREMENTS SPRINKLER DEMAND ALTERNATIVES WATER STORAGE TANKS WHEN IS A FIRE PUMP REQUIRED
REQUIRED FIRE FLOW REQUIRED FIRE FLOW IT S MORE THAN JUST FLOW RATE
APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS NFPA 1 FIRE CODE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC) CHAPTER INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IFC) SECTION 507 FACTORY MUTUAL DATA SHEETS IE: 3-10, 3-29
FIRE FIRE- -FLOW DURATION FLOW DURATION Fire Flow NFPA 1 IFC 1500 2999 GPM* 2 Hours 2 Hours 3000 3999 GPM* 3 Hours 3 Hours 4000 - * 4 Hours 4 Hours * Both Allow for 75% reduction for sprinkler protection. IFC Minimum is 1500 gpm for Sprinkler Protected Buildings. NFPA Minimum is 1000 gpm for Sprinkler Protected Buildings. NFPA Minimum is 600 gpm if sprinkler protection is quick response.
HOW DO WE CALCULATE REQUIRED FIRE HOW DO WE CALCULATE REQUIRED FIRE- -FLOW? FLOW? INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICES (ISO) IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY (ISU) NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY (NFA) ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IITRI) IFC and NFPA 1 Tables
THE FIRE PROTECTION RESEACH FOUNDATION THE FIRE PROTECTION RESEACH FOUNDATION EVALUATION OF FIRE FLOW METHODOLOGIES
ISO ISO Method Method
ISO Simplified Formula ISO Simplified Formula Q = (18)(C)(A)0.5 Q = Required Flow in GPM A = Building Area of all floors in Ft2 C = Factor based on Construction C = 1.5 for Wood frame C = 1.0 for Wood-Joisted Masonry C = 0.8 for Unprotected Non-combustible C = 0.6 for Fire Resistive.
Iowa State Formula Iowa State Formula Q = (0.01) (V) Q = Required Flow in GPM V = Volume of Building in Ft3
National Fire Academy Formula National Fire Academy Formula Q = (1/3) (A) Q = Required Flow in GPM A = Building Area of all floors in Ft2
IITRI Formula IITRI Formula Q = (-1.3x10-5A2)+(42x10-2A) Q = Required Flow in GPM A = Area of the fire in Ft2
IFC and NFPA Tables IFC and NFPA Tables
COMPARISON OF METHODS COMPARISON OF METHODS NON-SPRINKLERED COMMERCIAL BUILDING
PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS DRAWING FROM HYDRANTS 20 PSI MINIMUM RESIDUAL
PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS NFPA 13 SPRINKLER SYSTEM NFPA 14 STANDPIPE
FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING NFPA 291 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR FIRE FLOW TESING AND MARKING OF HYDRANTS. MUST BE CONDUCTED NOT MORE THAN 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO SUBMITTAL. DESIGN SHALL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT VARIATIONS IN WATER SUPPLY (SEASONAL).
FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING
FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING
FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING
FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING Q = 29.84 x C x D2 P Q = Flow C=Discharge Coefficient D=Diameter of outlet. (in.) P=Pitot pressure
FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING IF THE STEAMER OUTLET IS USED AN ADDITIONAL CORRECTION FACTOR SHALL BE APPLIED.
SPRINKLER DEMAND SPRINKLER DEMAND Sprinkler Estimation Calculation Q =(1.2)(D)(A) + Hose Stream D=Required Sprinkler Density (gpm/ft2) A=Design Area of Sprinklers
SPRINKLER DEMAND SPRINKLER DEMAND
WATER SUPPLY WATER SUPPLY SPRINKLER PLUS HOSE STREAM DEMAND VS SITE DEMAND
ALTERNATIVES ALTERNATIVES NFPA 1142 STANDARD ON WATER SUPPLIES FOR SUBURBAN AND RURAL FIRE FIGHTING.
NFPA 1142 NFPA 1142 Structures without Exposure Hazards WS = VStotal / OHC (CC) VStotal = Total Volume of Structure in ft2 OHC = Occupancy Hazard Classification CC = Construction Classification
NFPA 1142 NFPA 1142 Structures with Exposure Hazards WS = VStotal / OHC (CC)x 1.5 VStotal = Total Volume of Structure in ft2 OHC = Occupancy Hazard Classification CC = Construction Classification
WATER STORAGE TANK WATER STORAGE TANK IF RESULTS FROM HYDRANT FLOW TEST INDICATE THAT THE AVAILABLE WATER SUPPLY IS INSUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE REQUIRED QUANTITY OF WATER FOR THE FIRE SPRINKLER OR SITE FIRE-FLOW A WATER STORAGE TANK IS REQUIRED. NFPA 22 STANDARD FOR WATER TANKS FOR PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION (2018) CAPACITY TO MEET THE SITE FIRE-FLOW OR SPRINKLER DEMAND CAPACITY 4.1.6 A TANK SHALL BE SIZED SO THAT THE STORED SUPPLY PLUS RELIABLE AUTOMATIC REFILL SHALL MEET THE SYSTEM DEMAND FOR THE DESIGN DURATION. 4.1.7 BREAK TANK SHALL BE SIZED FOR A MINIMUM DURATION OF 15 MINUTES WITH THE FIRE PUMP OPERATING AT 150 PERCENT OF CAPACITY. WATER SOURCES 4.2.1 THE ADEQUACY AND DEPENDABILITY OF THE WATER SOURCE FOR FILLING THE TANK ARE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE AND SHALL BE FULLY DETERMINED, WITH DUE ALLOWANCE FOR ITS RELIABILITY IN THE FUTURE. 4.2.1.4 THE WATER SUPPLY SHALL BE CAPABLE OF FILLING THE MINIMUM REQUIRED FIRE PROTECTION VOLUME WITHIN THE TANK IN A MAXIMUM OF 8-HOURS. 7.2.9 PRESSURE TANKS WATER & AIR PRESSURE LIMITED TO 4-HOUR REFILL. CONNECTIONS FOR USE OTHER THAN FIRE PROTECTION WATER DEMANDS 14.1.7.1.1 PIPE USED FOR OTHER THAN FIRE PROTECTION PURPOSES SHALL BE ENTIRELY SEPARTE FROM FIRE-SERVICE PIPES AND SHALL EXTEND TO AN ELEVATION INSIDE THE TANK ABOVE THAT REQUIRED FOR FIRE PROTECTION. TANK HEATING CHAPTER 16 - CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN 42 F WATER DURING THE COLDEST WEATHER WHERE SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED, 14.9.2 REQUIRES WATER TEMPATURE BELOW 40 F & WATER LEVEL 12 IN LOW. NFPA 25 MAINTENANCE REQUIRED PER CHAPTER 9 WATER STORAGE TANKS NOT CONNECTED TO FIRE ALARM OR CONSTANTLY ATTENDED LOCATION TEMPERATURE WEEKLY & TANK LEVEL MONTHLY CONNECT TO FIRE ALARM SYSTEM OR CONSTANTLY ATTENDED LOCATION TEMPERATURE MONTHLY & TANK LEVEL QUARTERLY
FIRE PUMP FIRE PUMP IF RESULTS FROM HYDRANT FLOW TEST INDICATE THAT THE AVAILABLE WATER SUPPLY IS INSUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE REQUIRED PRESSURE TO PROVIDE FIRE SPRINKLER OR SITE FIRE-FLOW DEMAND A FIRE PUMP IS REQUIRED. NFPA 20 (2019) STANDARD FOR THE INSTALLATION OF STATIONARY PUMPS FOR FIRE PROTECTION 4.6.1.1 THE ADEQUACY AND DEPENDABILITY OF THE WATER SOURCE ARE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE AND SHALL BE FULLY DETERMINED, WITH DUE ALLOWANCE FOR ITS RELIABILITY IN THE FUTURE. 4.6.1.2 REQUIRE FLOW TEST RESULTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WORKING PLAN SUBMITTAL 4.6.4.1 A STORED SUPPLY PLUS RELIABLE AUTOMATIC REFILL SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE DEMAND PLACED UPON IT FOR THE DESIGN DURATION 4.6.4.2 A RELIABLE METHOD OF REPLENISHING THE SUPPLY SHALL BE PROVIDED NFPA 25 MAINTENANCE REQUIRED PER CHAPTER 8 FIRE PUMPS