Theoretical Hydraulic calculations and analysis

It is widely known in the engineering community that computer aided software can provide fast results
with outstanding accuracy.

Software such as ‘elite fire’ can provide efficiency in time saving and it avoids complicated manual
procedures.

However, such programs require a pre-theoretical knowledge in order to fulfill its design purposes.

Fire fighting systems have many forms and layouts, they are strictly dependant to the geometrical
construction of the occupancy.

This paper will discuss 1 layout, the tree layout that will be interpreted thoroughly with study cases.

Tree Layout:

Figure-1-
Each crossed circle in figure 1 represents a sprinkler head and the one at the bottom represents a pump
that is connected to the pipe lines.

The distance between sprinklers and the branches are evaluated through simple calculations determined
by certain associates such as the national fire protection association:”NFPA”.

The density and the number of sprinklers used are based on previous studies and researches where charts
were made for this purpose and they are available in the NFPA manual book.

The hydraulic calculation based on Hazen Williams equation determine the pressure loss inside the pipe-
lines.

2 essential equations needed for any design:

Q=K. P [1]
Q: Flow rate in “GPM”.

K: Nominal factor in “GPM/(PSI 1/2 )”

Hazen william equation: hf = 0.2083 (100/c)1.852 .q1.852 / dh4.8655 . [2]

Hf = friction head loss in feet of water per 100 feet of pipe (fth20/100 ft pipe)

c = Hazen-Williams roughness constant

q = volume flow (gal/min)

dh = inside hydraulic diameter (inches)

P.S: hf must be multiplied by the length of the calculated pipe and then divided by 100.

Symmetrical layout

- Numerating the sprinklers from the most remote one to the nearest and calculating the pressure needed
at the l’st sprinkler using the first equation where K-factor is given dependently to the sprinkler type and
the flow rate which is also dependent to the density “gpm/ ft 2 ” of the sprinkler and its coverage area .
-The losses in the pipe behind the last sprinkler is computed using Hazen William equation.

- The same procedure at the 2nd sprinkler head ”2” is repeated using equation 1, however the pressure
at the head of sprinkler is deduced from the sum of all the losses in the pipe and the most remote
sprinkler and through this value the flow rate needed can be calculated.

-Continue going backward until reaching the intersection point”4” between the 2 parallel branches.

-Similarly proceeding with the same steps written above for the mirrored branch”5-6-7” and adding all
the flow rates coming out from all the sprinklers in both parallel branches.

Figure-2-

-the system shown above is hydraulically balanced due to the similarity in the branches.

-The final step is calculating the pressure loss in the pipe set between 2 intersections “4 & 8”, the total
flow rate needed in both branches”11-10-9” and “14-13-12” is determined by:

Q8tot=K8tot. P8

Where P8 is equal to P4+ P losses in pipe “4-8” Calculated using Hazen William equation

-Ktot8 is obtained by considering the branch “11-10-9” as the most remote branch and because we
have a balanced system the procedure is automatic where K8= Qtot4/ P 4 .
Considering this branch as the most remote branch then Qtot8 is going to be similarly equal to Qtot4
and P8 is equal to P4, take notice this consideration is not applicable in reality it is used only for
calculating the nominal factor K8 ,afterward the true total flow rate going into the intersection “8” is
found through Ktot8. P4 + Plosses("4,8") .

-It is necessary to calculate the total loss in the system and the total flow rate needed to eventually
select an appropriate pump.

-The loss path is marked from the starting of the riser to the most remote hydraulic branch as shown In
figure 3:

Figure-3-
Non-symmetrical layout:

The problem may appear when 1 of the mirrored branches or parallel branches are not alike as the
following figure below:

Figure-4-

- Applying the same steps done previously it is noticeable that there is a difference in pressure at
intersection “4” when the calculation is made both ways : “1,2,3” and “6,5”.

-In order to compensate this difference in pressure the loss calculation must start from the longest path
of the last branch using the same steps as before until reaching point “4” that will indicate the needed
pressure .

-Doing the same calculation with the mirrored branch will give smaller outcome value of pressure at
“4” due to the decrease in the number of sprinklers at this branch relatively to the branch “1,2,3” but
this procedure is necessary in order to calculate the major nominal factor of branch “6,5” to represent
it as 1 big sprinkler.

-Major K”6-5” is equal to Q6-5* / P 4* where P4* is the pressure value at point 4 from the
perspective of branch “6-5” and not the pressure P4 calculated from the branch “1,2,3” that’s why It is
called:” P4*” and not P4 which is the real pressure at the intersection calculated through the path
“1,2,3”, remember P4* < P4.

-The next step must be decisive and final for achieving the balance:

Q”6-5”=K”6-5/ P 4 where this result is final and Q total for the 2 branches is equal to:

Q”6-5” + Q”1,2,3”.
Good example on symmetrical layouts are found in NFPA 13-annex A explanatory materials A.14.3.2
2002 meeting edition.

Non-symmetrical layout full example

Assuming the following:

-Parking car total area: 13200 ft2.

2
-Density, 0.15 gpm/ft calculated over the most remote 1500 sq.ft.

Figure-5- Area-density chart.

 2
-In this example, S=13 ft &L= 10ft and As:”area of discharge of sprinkler”= 130 ft .

-K=5.6.

-13 sprinklers in most remote area.

-The minimum flow at the most remote sprinkler =19.5gpm.

-The minimum required pressure at the most remote sprinkler=12.1 Psi.

Objective: sizing the piping systems & determining the pump duty.

Knowing that, the branch lines are schedule 40 black steel. (C=120 ) crossmain lines are schedule 10
black steel.

Fully calculated systems can be pipe-sized through hydraulic calculation. It is also possible to pipe
size using a tabulated information.

Figure-6- Plan figure of the sprinkler system, the area in red is the most remote area, 1500 ft2.
The table below is used for sizing the pipes :

1 in. …………… 2 sprinklers

1¼ in.…………… 3 sprinklers

1½ in.…………… 5 sprinklers

2 in.……………..10 sprinklers

2½ in.……………20 sprinklers

-The first step is determining the flow rate of the most remote sprinkler:

q = density ´ As
Q=0.15x130= 19.5gpm.

-Determining the residual pressure of the most remote sprinkler:

2
æqö
p=ç ÷
èkø
Q = K P =12.1 PSI.

The expected number of sprinklers is determined as follows :

Number of sprinklers =Total area of the car parking / As

2 2
Area of the car parking 13200 ft ( 110 ft x 120 ft) ,divided by the sprinkler coverage area As =120 ft
we get 110 sprinklers.

Figure-7- Numeration of most remote area sprinklers cluster.

 Hydraulic calculation

Sprinkler node Flo Pipe Equi Fricti Pressur Notes Notes Not Notes
number w in fitting v on e es
gpm s Pipe loss summa
And lengt PSI/F ry
devic h T
es
1 Most remote ----- Sch L 12 0.107 Pt 12.1 Pf=0.107 0.107= T= Q=K P
sprinkler: .40 xT Q1.85
L+f
0.15x130=19.5 Line =0.107x1 P = 4.52 1.85 4.87 æqö
2

C ´d pt = ç ÷
gpm F Pe------ 2 d=1’’ èkø
19.5 T 12 Pf
1.28
2 20.4 Sch L 12 0.112 Pt Q = K Pt d=1.25 ‘’
8 .40 13.38 Q=20.48 Pt=pf +pt
Line Q =5.6x previous
F 13.38=1.28+
39.9 T 12 Pe--- 12.1
Pf=1.3
4
3 21.4 Sch L 12 0.245 Pt=14. Q = K Pt 61.3 = 21.4 d=1.25’
.40 72 Q=21.4 +39.9 ’
61.3 Line F Pe---
T 12 Pf=
2.94
4 23.5 Sch L 18 Pt=17. Q = K Pt d= 1.5’’
.40 66 q=23.5
Line
84.8 TEE F 8.0
T 26 Pf 5.46
 Figure-8- Flow distribution.

Figure-9- At: top of riser nipple, Ab: bottom of riser nipple.

 Pressure drop due to elevation 1.5 ‘, Pe= Z x 0.433 Psi/ft =1.5 x0.433 =0.65 Psi.

F = Pressure drop due Tee = 10 ft.

Friction loss Psi/100 ft from Hazen William equation with Q= 84.8 gpm & d=2” we get Pf=0.064
Psi.

The total equivalent length T = (1.5 +10) = 11.5 ft

The pressure drop Pf= 11.5x 0.064= 0.74 ft

The total pressure drop Pt = 23.12+ 0.65+ 0.74 =24.51 psi.

Sprinkler node Flo Pipe Equi Fricti Pressur Notes Notes No Notes
number w in fitting v on e tes
gpm s Pipe loss summa
And lengt PSI/F ry
devic h T
es
At At top of ----- Sch L 0.064 Pt d=2’’
riser nipple .40 1.5 23.12
Line
Tee F 10 Pe 0.65
84.8 T Pf
11.5 0.74
Ab Ab bottom of ----- Sch L 10 0.007 Pt d=3’’
riser nipple 10 24.51
cross
main
F
84.8 T 10 Pe---
Pf=0.0
7

Branch Line “K” calculation: Imagine a huge sprinkler installed at nod B having K= 16.68.This “K”
B
represents the total flow of sprinklers 5 thru 8 @ node B with an orifice capable of discharging the
B
total flow for 4 sprinklers at nodes 5 thru 8.

84.8
Q=K .√P => K= = 17.1.
24.51

For Pt = 24.51+0.07=24.58 Psi and K=17.1 the flow in branch B-C, Q= 17.1. 24.58 =84.77 gpm.
Sprinkler node Flo Pipe Equi Fricti Pressur Notes Notes No Notes
number w in fitting v on e tes
gpm s Pipe loss summa
And lengt PSI/F ry
devic h T
es
Bb 84.7 Sch L 10 0.024 Pt d=3’’ Q= 17.1.
7 10 24.58 24.58 =84.77
cross gpm
main
Tee F Pe
169. T 10 Pf
57 0.24
Cb 85.1 Sch L 10 0.052 Pt d=3’’ Q= 17.1.
9 10 24.82 24.82 =85.19
cross gpm
main
F
254 T 10 Pe---
Pf=0.5
2

To Adjust the pressure at branch “D” the flow must be balanced :

Phigh
Q adjusted= Q low x
Plow
Sprinkler node Flo Pipe Equi Fricti Pressure Notes Notes No Notes
number w in fitting v on summar tes
gpm s Pipe loss y
And lengt PSI/F
devic h T
es
13 ---- Sch L 18 0.013 Pt 10.33 d=1.5’’
40
cross
main
Tee F8 Pe
19.5 T 26 Pf 0.34
Dt ----- Sch L 0.005 Pt 10.67 d=2’’
10 1.5
cross
main
F 8.0
19.5 T Pe0.65
9.5 Pf=0.05

Sprinkler node Flo Pipe Equi Fricti Pressur Notes Notes No Notes
number w in fitting v on e tes
gpm s Pipe loss summa
And lengt PSI/F ry
devic h T
es
Db ---- L Pt 25.34 PSI exist
11.37 at Db-must
F Pe adjust flow
19.5 T Pf

25.34
Q adj = 19.5 x = 29.1 gpm .
11.37
Figure-10- Flow distribution.

-Pressure drop form D to E: L=5+10+10+10+10+10=55 ft

-Fittings = 15 ft , 1 tee 3’’ .

-L effective = 70 ft .

-Pressure drop = 70 x 0.062 = 4.32 ft.

- Adding alll the losses from Point E to exit pump node.

- adding the fire hose flow rate to the total flow rate needed for the sprinkler system.

-The total loss is the sum of losses in the longest path from the inflow point:”pump nod node” to the
furthest sprinkler: n=1, the total losses and the total flow rate are the results needed for selecting an
appropriate pump.
Collaboration with Dr. Ali Hamoud –Beirut Arab-university.

This paper was the result of the work of Mr. Raef Kobeissi.