Fire Protection

Hydraulic Calculations
(Wet and Dry Systems)
BSSI 1001
John Willden, P.Eng.

Hydraulic Equations
Q AOP Density for first sprinkler flow

where:

Q = USGPM
AOP = Area of Sprinkler operations
1500 3000 ft2 for light hazard

Density = USGPM/ft2
or water/square foot

Hydraulic Equations
Q
p
K

for first sprinkler pressure

where:

Q = USGPM
K=sprinkler factor
p=pressure in psig

QK p

Hydraulic Equations
Pf FQ1.85

PF Pf L

where:

Pf = pressure drop per foot (psig/ft)

Q = USGPM pipe flow

F = friction factor from table

PF = total pressure loss

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

10 ft

Q=

Q=

1 in

1 in
P=

P=
Q=

16 ft

P=
Q=

10 ft

10 ft

Q=

Q=
1 in
P=

1 in
P=

P=

Ordinary Hazard group 1 we

get 0.15 USGPM/ft2
If each sprinkler is covering
130 ft2 we have:

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

Q=

Q=

1 in

1 in
P=

P=
Q=

16 ft

P=
Q=

10 ft

10 ft

10 ft

Q=

Q=
1 in
P=

1 in
P=

P=

Q = Area x Density = 130 ft2 x

0.15 USGPM = 19.5 USGPM

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

10 ft

Q=

Q=

1 in

1 in
P=

P=
Q=

16 ft

P=
Q=

10 ft

10 ft

Q = 19.5

Q=
1 in
P=

p = (Q/K)2
= (19.5/5.65)2
= 11.91 psig

1 in
P=

P=

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

10 ft

Q=

Q=

1 in

1 in
P=

P=
Q=

16 ft

P=
Q=

10 ft

10 ft

Q = 19.5

Q=
1 in
P=

1 in
P=

pf = FC120 x Q1.85
= 5.10 x 10-4 x 19.51.85
= 0.124 psig/ft

P =11.91

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

10 ft

Q4 =

Q3 =

Q2 =

1 in

1 in

1 in

P4 =

P5 =
Q5 =

16 ft

P=
Q=

10 ft

P3 =

10 ft

Q1 = 19.5
1 in
P2 =

Pf = p f x L
= 0.124 x 10 ft
= 1.24 psig

P1 =11.91

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

10 ft

10 ft

Q4 =

Q3 =

Q2 =

1 in

1 in

1 in

P4 =

P5 =
Q5 =

16 ft

P3 =

P2 = P f + P 1
= 1.24 + 11.91

P=
Q=

= 13.15 psig

10 ft

Q1 = 19.5
1 in
P2 =

P1 =11.91

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

10 ft

Q4 =

Q3 =

Q2 =

1 in

1 in

1 in

P4 =

P5 =
Q5 =

16 ft

P=
Q=

10 ft

P3 =

10 ft

Q1 = 19.5
1 in
P2 =13.15

Q2 = K P 2 + Q 1
= 5.65

13.15 + 19.5

= 20.49 + 19.5
= 39.99 USGPM

P1 =11.91

Hydraulic Example
10 ft

10 ft

Q4 =

Q3 =

1 in

1 in
P4 =

P5 =
Q5 =

16 ft

P=
Q=

10 ft

10 ft

Q1 = 19.5

Q2 =39.99
1 in
P3 =

1 in
P2 =13.15

Now you try the next

sprinkler

P1 =11.91

wet systems are always full of water

they sprinkle when a head opens

TO SPRINKLERS
CHECK VALVE

ALARM VALVE
(SPRINKLER VALVE)
INDICATING VALVE

SIAMESE CONNECTION
(FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONNECTION)

FROM SERVICE MAIN

Details of Wet System

1997, The
Viking
Corporation

dry systems are full of compressed air

they bleed off the air and sprinkle when a head
opens
TO SPRINKLERS
ALARM VALVE
(DRY SPRINKLER VALVE)
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHECK VALVE

INDICATING VALVE
CHECK VALVE
SIAMESE CONNECTION
(FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONNECTION)

FROM SERVICE MAIN

Dry Pipe System

1997, The
Viking
Corporation

preaction systems are full of compressed air until a

fire is detected
then they fill with water to get ready
TO SPRINKLERS
CHECK VALVES

ALARM VALVE
(PREACTION SPRINKLER VALVE)

INDICATING VALVE

SIAMESE CONNECTION
(FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONNECTION)
CHECK VALVE
FROM SERVICE MAIN

deluge systems are empty and the sprinkler heads

are open
they all come on at once when a fire is detected
TO SPRINKLERS
CHECK VALVE
ALARM VALVE
(PREACTION SPRINKLER VALVE)

INDICATING VALVE

CHECK VALVE

SIAMESE CONNECTION
(FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONNECTION)

FROM SERVICE MAIN

Sprinkler Heads

three major types

of sprinkler heads

upright
pendant
sidewall

dry type

http://www.vikingcorp.com/databook/sprinklers/

Sprinkler Arrangements

Tree systems

Only one path to

each sprinkler
head

Grid systems

At least two
paths to each
sprinkler head

Sprinkler Arrangements

Loop systems

There are two paths to

each sprinkler head but
the system can also be
used to circulate heating
or cooling water

upright

pendant

contd

Typical Alarm Valve

Parts of Alarm Valve

Fire Protection Symbols

pendent head hangs down
upright head stands up
sidewall head sticks out sideways
upright (elevation view)
pendent (elevation view)
siamese connection fire department
check valve

Fire Protection Symbols

ALARM VALVE (wet)
ALARM VALVE (dry)
ALARM VALVE (preaction)
ALARM VALVE (deluge)
FC

flushing connection (flanged)

FC

flushing connection (cap)

open stem and yoke valve (OS & Y)