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HYDRAULIC
CALCULATION
FOR
AUTOMATIC
WET SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
SUSTAINED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR RMPS AND PES
INTRODUCTION
This publication is the result of inspiration from the previous publication of American Society of
Plumbing Engineers. No attempt however has been made to copy ASPEs publication but emulate
its effort to provide materials for continuing education to its members and non-members.
Design of Plumbing Systems (DPS) is a working pamphlet and the result of syndicated effort of
concerned RMPs (Registered Master Plumbers) to extend and sustain education to peers who
cannot attend formal CPE ( Continuing Professional Education) seminars or schooling. This is also
a preparatory material to RMPs as-would be Plumbing Engineers in the near future.
DPS Publishers
Issue No. 001
December 2011
Page 3
After creating the sprinkler piping layout determine the most remote area of operation.
Calculate the number of sprinkler heads and branches within the sprinkler area of operation.
Determine the fire hazard classification of the commodity being protected.
Select the applicable density from density/area curve of NFPA No. 13.
Select the applicable area of coverage for the remotest sprinkler head from NFPA No. 13
table.
6. Use the standard form for hydraulic calculation from NFPA No. 13.
7. Provide sizes on the sprinkler piping layout from branches, cross main, feed main, riser and
down to the riser pump discharge outlet.
Page 4
In this pamphlet we are going to present an example of calculation for an open space
office with no drop ceiling. In NFPA No. 13 offices are considered under light hazard
classification.
Page 5
CALCULATIONS
Based on the selected 1,500 sq. ft. (as shaded in the sample layout) area of sprinkler
operation, calculate now the number of effective sprinkler heads:
No. of Sprinkler Heads= Design Area/ Sprinkler Coverage Area = 1500/200= 7.5 say 8
1/2
No. of Sprinklers on branch Line= 1.2A/S where A= sprinkler operation area, sq. ft.
S= sprinkler head spacing, ft.
1/2
NOTES:
As per table below the maximum sprinkler coverage for light hazard application is
225 sq.ft for hydraulically calculated with a maximum sprinkler head to head spacing
of 15 ft. In the calculation above 200 sq. ft. and 10 ft spacing are used.
It is a matter of judgment and consideration of engineering economy to assign lower
values without sacrificing the integrity of the system design.
System Type
Pipe schedule
Hydraulically
calculated
All
All
ft2
m2
200
225
18.6
20.9
Spacing (
f
15
15
168
130
15.6
12.1
15
15
Page 6
Sprinkler
Location
Flow (gpm)
q
Pipe Size
Fittings &
Devices
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
None
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
Cfactor
psi/ft/
Req. Pressure
Kfactor
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Page 7
STEP 1
Using the hydraulic calculation form and referring to sample layout above calculate now
the flow requirement of the farthest sprinkler head as follows:
Q = As x D
4.52 Q1.85 L
Pf = 1.85 4.87
C D
Where,
Pf = Total friction loss in piece of pipe (psi)
Q = Total flow in pipe (gpm)
L = Length of pipe (feet)
C = C-factor of pipe (from NFPA-13 (2007)
D = Diameter of pipe (inches)
Page 8
The value of friction loss due to pipes and fittings after substitution, Pf = 0.13
Pressure required due to pipes and fittings shall be, Pf = 12 x 0.13 = 1.6 psi.
Assume the there is no change in elevation, pressure required due to elevation is Pe = 0.
The pressure required now from Sprinkler to Sprinkler shall be, Pt = 13 + 1.6 + 0 = 14.6
psi.
Sprinkler
Location
Flow (gpm)
q
Pipe Size
Nom
20 Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
1
1.049
1 elbow
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
10
2
12
Cfactor
120
0.13
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
13.
1.6
0
14.6
Kfactor
5.6
Page 9
3/
11/4
1
in.
6
7
10
1
1
1
1
9
11
14
16
11/2
4
2
in.
in.
in.
1
1
45 elbow
1
90 standard elbow
1
2
2
3
90 long-turn elbow
0.5
1
2
2
Tee or cross (flow turned 90)
3
4
5
6
Butterfly valve
Gate valve
5
7
Swing check*
For SI units, 1 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3048 m.
Notes:
1. This table applies to all types of pipe listed in Table 8-4.4.5.
2. Information on 1/2-in. pipe is included in this table only because it is allowed under 5-13.20.2 and 5-13.20.3.
* Due to the variations in design of swing check valves, the pipe equivalents indicated in this table are considered ave
Steel
2 sprinklers
3 sprinklers
1 in.
11/4 in.
Copper
2 sprinklers
3 sprinklers
11/2 in.
5 sprinklers
11/2 in.
5 sprinklers
2 in.
21/2 in.
10 sprinklers
30 sprinklers
2 in.
21/2 in.
12 sprinklers
40 sprinklers
3 in.
31/2 in.
60 sprinklers
100 sprinklers
3 in.
31/2 in.
65 sprinklers
115 sprinklers
4 in.
Page 10
STEP 2
Compute discharge capacity of sprinkler as follows:
Q=k p
Where,
Q = Flow from individual sprinkler
k = Sprinkler k-factor (See NFPA-13, 2007) = 5.6
p = Pressure from an individual sprinkler. = 14.6 psi.
Sprinkler
Location
Flow (gpm)
q
Pipe Size
Nom
1
1.049
20 Act.
to
q
Q
21 Nom
1
41 Act. 1.049
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
1 elbow
1 tee
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
10
2
12
10
5
15
Cfactor
120
0.13
120
0.49
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
13.
1.6
0
14.6
7.3
0
21.9
Kfactor
5.6
5.6
5.6
Page 11
STEP 3
Compute the flow capacity of sprinkler using the formula in page 10, Q3 = 26.2 or 26 gpm.
Now, add sprinkler and sprinkler= 41 + 26 = 67 gpm
Pressure loss from equation in page 7 shall now be= 0.32 psi/ ft.
From equation in page10, q4 = 29 gpm
Then, add Q2-3 and q4 = 67 + 29 = 96 gpm. This is the total flow requirement from sprinkler
up to sprinkler.
Sprinkler
Location
to
Nom
20
Act.
21
41
Nom
Act.
1
1.049
1 elbow
1
1.049
1 tee
1 tee
to
26
67
Nom 11/4
29
Nom 11/2
96
1.61
to
Act.
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Fittings &
Devices
1.38
1 tee
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
10
2
12
10
5
15
10
6
16
Cfactor
120
120
120
0.13 Pt
Pf
Pe
0.49 Pt
Pf
Pe
0.32 Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
1.6
0
14.6
7.3
0
21.9
5.1
0
27.0
Kfactor
5.6
5.6
5.6
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Page 12
STEP 4
The total flow requirement of the 4 remote sprinklers along the remote branch at 96 gpm is
now known. Looking back at the sample layout in page 4, there is 1 more branch to consider
as covered by the 1,500 sq.ft operating and most demanding area ( See hatched area).
To determine the total flow requirement of the most demanding area we proceed as follows:
Calculate the pressure required from sprinkler to point at the cross main. (The cross
main is the sub-main pipe where the branches are connected. The branches are pipes where
the sprinkler heads are installed. And the feed main is the main pipe connected to the riser.)
From Hazen-Williams formula, p 3-4 = 0.29 psi/ft
The flow requirement does not change and still at 96 gpm. But the elevation of the cross main
is assumed at 1 foot below the branch pipe,
Thus, Pe5 = 1 ft x 1 psi/ 2.32 ft. = 0.433 psi. Use 0.4 psi.
From calculation sheet in page 14, the total pressure required at is 33.5 psi.
This time the flow coefficient , k= 5.6 does not apply anymore. Since the flow and pressure
requirements are known, 96 gpm and 33.5 psi, respectively, we can now compute for the
system flow coefficient, ks.
1/2
From formula in page 10, ks = 96/ (33.5) = 96/ 5.79 = 16.58 say 16.6
The pressure loss along the cross main from to , P 5-6 = 0.013 psi/ft
Pressure required from to , Pf 5-6 = 25 ft x 0.013 psi/ft = 0.3 psi
Total pressure required at now, Pt = 33.5 + 0.3 + 0 = 33.8 psi
1/2
Flow at , Q6 = 16.6 x (33.8) = 96.5 gpm which is the requirement of the second branch
within the remote operating area.
The system flow requirement of the most demanding area calculated, Q = Q5-6 + Q6
Q = 96 + 96.5 = 192.5 gpm. The 0.5 gpm takes care of the possible loss from to
and balances the flow requirements of the 2 branches within the area of operation.
Page 13
Calculation does not end here. The hose requirement should be added to the calculated system
flow requirement. From the table below select 50 gpm to represent inside hose.
Thus, Qs = 192.5 + 50 = 242.5 gpm . Calculate 250 gpm standard capacity of fire pump per
NFPA No. 20. ( This will be covered in future issues of DPS.)
Assuming that our sample layout is located at the fifth floor of a 5-storey office building 4
meter high per storey. Fire pump is located 4 meters horizontally from the riser(base of ) and
the following valves and fittings are to be considered before the fire pump: 3 elbows, 2 gate
valves, 1 alarm check valve1 swing-type check valve. Size of the riser and discharge pipe is
4 (100mm).
Calculation continues: From to there is a required floor control valve in the feed main
before the connection to the riser. Using the system flow of 250 gpm compute the total
pressure required from to and from to the fire pump .
Finally, the fire water flow and pressure requirements of the sample layout are calculated as
shown in the calculation sheet below: 250 gpm by 72.2 or 72 psi.
Page 14
CALCULATION SHEET
Sprinkler
Location
Flow (gpm)
q
to
Nom
20
Act.
21
41
Nom
26
67
Nom
29
96
Nom
0
96
Nom
to
to
to
Inside Hose
Pipe Size
q
Q
q
Q
Act.
Act.
Act.
Act.
1
1.049
1
1.049
11/4
1.38
11/2
1.61
3
3.068
96.5 Nom
192.5 Act.
3
3.068
Nom
50
242.5 or
Act.
250
4
4.026
Nom
250
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Fittings &
Devices
1 elbow
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
1 tee
ftg
tot
lgth
1 tee
ftg
tot
lgth
2 tee
ftg
tot
lgth
1 tee
ftg
tot
1 gate valve lgth
ftg
1 elbow
tot
2 gate valve lgth
3 elbow ftg
tot
1 check valve lgth
ftg
1 ac. valve
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
10
2
12
10
5
15
10
6
16
5
16
21
10
15
25
86.9
8
94.9
65.6
78
143.6
Cfactor
psi/ft/
120
0.13
120
0.49
120
0.32
120
0.29
120
0.013
120
0.075
120
0.02
Req. Pressure
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
13
1.6
0
14.6
7.3
0
21.9
5.1
0
27.0
6.1
0.4
33.5
0.3
0
33.8
7.1
0
40.9
2.9
28.4
72.2
Kfactor
5.6
5.6
5.6
16.6
Page 15
Page 16
8. In the sample problem below what is the hazard classification of the occupancy? Operating
area of the sprinklers? Design density?
9. How many effective sprinklers are there in the area of sprinkler operation? Branches?
Sprinklers per branch?
10. Provide a tree-type wet sprinkler layout in the tenth floor of a 10- storey residential building.
The tenth floor is a covered open area used by the residents for functions. The riser location is as
indicated in the floor layout. Each floor is 3.5 meters high and there is no drop ceiling. The fire
pump is located about 3 meters from the base of the riser. Calculate the system fire water and
the pressure required to effectively meet the sprinkler system requirement using the hydraulic
calculation sheet provided in the answer sheet.
Page 17
6.0 ___________
7.0 ___________
8.0 ___________
9.0 ___________
10.0 See calculation sheet below.
Flow (gpm)
Pipe Size
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Nom
Act.
Fittings &
Devices
None
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
lgth
ftg
tot
Cfactor
psi/ft/
Req. Pressure
Kfactor
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Pt
Pf
Pe
Page 18
:
:
:
:
Php 5,000.00
Php 2,500.00
Php 1, 250.00
Php 750.00