Basic Hydraulic Formulas for the Fire Service

Area of a square or rectangle

A=LxW

Volume of a square or rectangle

V=LxWxH

Area of a circle

A = .7854 x D

Volume of a cylindrical container

V = .7854 x D x H or L

Convert volume in cubic ft. to gallons

V (cubic ft.) x 7.481 = Gallons

Circumference of a circle

C = 3.1416 x D

Engine pressure formula

EP = NP + FL + or EL + AP

Engine Pressure

EP

Pressure

Nozzle Pressure

NP

Coefficient

CO or C

Friction Loss (hose)

FL

Nozzle Reaction =

NR

Elevation (Head Pressure) =

EL

Pump Pressure

PP

Appliances

AP

Horizontal Reach =

HR

Square root

()

Vertical Reach

VR

GPM when NP and Tip size is known

GPM = 29.7 x D x of NP

Square root of Nozzle sizes

() of 50 = 7.07
80 = 8.94
100 = 10

GPM / 100 = Q
Nozzle pressure when GPM is known

NP = [Q 29.7 x D]2

Open Butt Discharge

GPM = 29.7 x D x of P x .9

The Q Method
FL in 2 hose under 100 GPM

FL = (2Q + Q)

FL in 2 hose over 100 GPM

FL = (2Q + Q)

FL for 3 and up hose

FL = (2Q + Q) CO

Friction loss in to 2 hose

FL = [40 x (2Q + 1/6 Q)] CO

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Coefficient of
For Q method
Coefficient of

3 =
3 =
4 =

1
1
1
2

=
=
=
=
=

.4
.187
.09

11.7
2.5
.4
.177
.1

Coefficient calculations for 3 hose up =

4
5

=
=

.053
.031

These Coefficients are given

2.5
(hose size) to the 5th power

Condensed Q
CQL = FL. Coefficients are as follows,, no formula to find, just learn
1 = 15.5
3 = 0.8

2 = 8

2 = 2

4 = 0.2

5 = 0.08

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Critical velocities of hose (Max Flow)

Nozzle Reaction

30 GPM

100 GPM

300 GPM

500 GPM

1200 GPM

Solid Stream

NR = 1.5 x D x NP

Fog Nozzle

NR = .0505 x GPM x of NP

Initial NR

INR = 1.8 x D x PP

Rule of Thumb Nozzle Reaction

NP =

GPM

Hydrant Capability (Flowing)

(Static Residual) x 100 = % Drop

Static

10% or less Drop from static

3 more sets (4 times water)

11% to 15% Drop

2 more sets (3 times water)

16% to 25% Drop

1 more set (2 times water)

25% or more

Less than 1 more set (Be Careful)

Sprinkler head discharge head with pressure known

Q = (P + 15) x # number of heads x time discharged
Sprinkler head pressure with Quantity known
P = (Q 15) x 2
Horizontal Reach

HR = NP + 26 for tip
(Add 5 for each larger than )

Rule of Thumb

HR = 1 NP

Vertical Reach

VR = 2P {P2 / 100}

Quick Fire Flow calculations

L x W % of involvement
3
Exposures = 25% of total area of fire floor x amount of exposures
= total gpms of water needed