1. SITE FIRE-FLOW & HYDRANT FLOW TESTING REQUIREMENTS
MATT RUHRER
ANSON NOWKA

2. OUTLINE HOW TO CALCULATE REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW ALTERNATIVES
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

3. REQUIRED FIRE FLOW
IT’S MORE THAN JUST FLOW RATE

4. 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

5. FIRE-FLOW DURATION Fire Flow NFPA 1 IFC 1500 – 2999 GPM* 2 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.

6. HOW DO WE CALCULATE REQUIRED FIRE-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

7. THE FIRE PROTECTION RESEACH FOUNDATION
EVALUATION OF FIRE FLOW METHODOLOGIES

8. ISO Method

9. 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.

10. Iowa State Formula Q = (0.01) (V) Q = Required Flow in GPM
V = Volume of Building in Ft3

11. National Fire Academy Formula
Q = (1/3) (A)
Q = Required Flow in GPM
A = Building Area of all floors in Ft2

12. IITRI Formula Q = (-1.3x10-5A2)+(42x10-2A) Q = Required Flow in GPM
A = Area of the fire in Ft2

13. IFC and NFPA Tables

14. COMPARISON OF METHODS
NON-SPRINKLERED COMMERCIAL BUILDING

15. PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS
DRAWING FROM HYDRANTS – 20 PSI MINIMUM RESIDUAL

16. PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS
NFPA 13 – SPRINKLER SYSTEM
NFPA 14 – STANDPIPE

17. 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).

18. FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING

19. FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING

20. FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING

21. FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING
Q = x C x D2√P
Q = Flow
C=Discharge Coefficient
D=Diameter of outlet. (in.)
P=Pitot pressure

22. FIRE HYDRANT FLOW TESTING
IF THE STEAMER OUTLET IS USED AN ADDITIONAL CORRECTION FACTOR SHALL BE APPLIED.

23. SPRINKLER DEMAND Sprinkler Estimation Calculation
Q =(1.2)(D)(A) + Hose Stream
D=Required Sprinkler Density (gpm/ft2)
A=Design Area of Sprinklers

24. SPRINKLER DEMAND

25. SPRINKLER PLUS HOSE STREAM DEMAND
WATER SUPPLY
SPRINKLER PLUS HOSE STREAM DEMAND VS
SITE DEMAND

26. ALTERNATIVES
NFPA 1142 – STANDARD ON WATER SUPPLIES FOR SUBURBAN AND RURAL FIRE FIGHTING.

27. NFPA 1142 Structures without Exposure Hazards
WS = VStotal / OHC (CC)
VStotal = Total Volume of Structure in ft2
OHC = Occupancy Hazard Classification
CC = Construction Classification

28. 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

29. 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.
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
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, 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

30. 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
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.
REQUIRE FLOW TEST RESULTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WORKING PLAN SUBMITTAL
A STORED SUPPLY PLUS RELIABLE AUTOMATIC REFILL SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE DEMAND PLACED UPON IT FOR THE DESIGN DURATION
A RELIABLE METHOD OF REPLENISHING THE SUPPLY SHALL BE PROVIDED
NFPA 25 – MAINTENANCE REQUIRED PER CHAPTER 8 – FIRE PUMPS