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Fire Pump Flow Rate Formula:
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The Fire Pump Size Calculator determines the required flow rate for fire protection systems based on the protected area, hazard classification, and required discharge duration. Proper pump sizing is essential for effective fire suppression.
The calculator uses the fire pump flow rate formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the minimum flow rate needed to adequately protect a given area based on its hazard classification and the required operating time.
Details: Proper fire pump sizing is critical for building safety compliance, effective fire suppression, and insurance requirements. Undersized pumps may fail to control fires, while oversized pumps can be inefficient and costly.
Tips: Enter the protected area in square feet, select the appropriate hazard factor based on occupancy classification, and specify the required discharge time in minutes. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What are the standard hazard classifications?
A: Light Hazard (0.1) - offices, schools; Ordinary Hazard (0.15) - mercantile, light manufacturing; Extra Hazard (0.2) - chemical plants, flammable liquids storage.
Q2: How do I determine the protected area?
A: Calculate the total floor area requiring fire protection, including all spaces within the fire compartments as defined by building codes.
Q3: What is the typical discharge duration?
A: Duration varies by hazard class: Light Hazard - 30-60 min, Ordinary Hazard - 60-90 min, Extra Hazard - 90-120 min as per NFPA standards.
Q4: Are there minimum GPM requirements?
A: Yes, most codes specify minimum flow rates (typically 500-2500 GPM) regardless of calculated values to ensure adequate firefighting capability.
Q5: Should this calculation be used for final design?
A: This provides preliminary sizing. Final design should be performed by qualified fire protection engineers following local codes and NFPA standards.