Sprinkler Sizing en v1

M HVACS03-12
AXXX
18 maart
2019/04/01
TEAM FIRE SAFETY - Methodology CONCEPT 0.0
2009
Versie 0.1
AXXX – Fire sprinkler calculation
Fire sprinkler, EN12845, Sizing, Calculation, Hazen-Williams, Pressure loss, Pump, Tank
1. SCOPE AND GENERAL TERMS
1.1 SCOPE. HOW TO USE THE DOCUMENT

 This article guides the user through the filling process of an excel tool that calculates:
- The total flow rate demand (Qmax) and pressure losses of a firefighting sprinkler system,
according with European Norm 12845;
- The minimum water storage capacity of a sprinkler system;
- The sprinkler pump capacity (Qpump) and pressure head (Hpump) – pump’s H(Q).
 The term “document” used in 1.1 and 1.2 sections, refers to both Word and Excel files.
 Light blue colour (used as a background in Excel file) represents an input from the user (either to fill
in a value or to make a pre-defined selection via drop-down menus); “input” cells are mandatory
and editable, and it helps for running the calculation. There is a correspondence between the input
data from the Excel file and certain Word’s paragraphs, flagged with same blue light colour.
 The “Data” Excel worksheets (light grey tab colour) contain background protected data.
 The password is: FFT (no space before or after); it is advisable not to alter the password
protected information.
 The rest of the information will be automatically calculated based on your input.
1.2 GENERAL TERMS. DISCLAIMER

 The information provided in this document is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects
discussed.
 The author has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information
provided on this document. However, the information is provided “as is” without warranty of any
kind.
 This document is not meant to be used, nor should be used, by general public with no technical
(engineering) background.
 References are provided for informational purposes only; the reader should be aware that the
references listed may change.
2. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
 EN 12845: Fixed firefighting systems — Automatic sprinkler systems — Design, installation and
Maintenance
 CIBSE Guide G – Public health and plumbing engineering
 BSRIA Rule of thumb
3. DEFINITIONS
 area of operation
- maximum area, over which it is assumed, for design purposes, that sprinklers will operate in a
fire
 design density
- minimum density of discharge, in millimetres per minute of water, for which a sprinkler
installation is designed, determined from the discharge of a specified group of sprinklers, in litres
per minute, divided by the area covered, in square metres
 discharge coefficient “K”
- coefficient of discharge in the formula Q = K ∗ √𝑝
 installation, alternate
- installation in which the pipework is selectively charged with either water or air/inert gas
according to ambient temperature conditions
 installation, dry (pipe)
Draft team SAN: Cristian Dumitru Review: Reviewer1, Reviewer2, Reviewer3 1/12
Approved: Approver1, Approver2
Document1
Print date: 31/08/2019
M HVACS03-12
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18 maart
2019/04/01
2009
Versie 0.1
- installation in which the pipework is charged with air or inert gas under pressure
 installation, pre-action
- one of two types of dry, or alternate in dry mode, installation in which the alarm valve can be
opened by an independent fire detection system in the protected area
 installation, wet (pipe)
- installation in which the pipework is always charged with water
 maximum flow demand (Qmax)
- the flow at the point of intersection of the pressure-flow demand characteristic of the most
favourable area of operation and the water supply pressure-flow characteristic with the suction
source at its lowest level
 pre-calculated
- term applied to an installation in which the pipes downstream of the design point(s) have been
previously sized by hydraulic calculation
 sprinkler (automatic)
- nozzle with a thermally sensitive sealing device which opens to discharge water for fire fighting
 sprinkler system
- entire means of providing sprinkler protection in the premises comprising one or more sprinkler
installations, the pipework to the installations and the water supply/supplies
4. HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS WORKSHEET
4.1 INPUT DATA

 After choosing your preferred language from the “Start” sheet, follow the below steps.
 Select the classification of typical hazard based on the building’s type, from the provided drop-down
menu. Note that classification of typical hazards (LH, OH, HHS, HHP) shall be accordingly with Annex
A – EN 12845 and Table 1.
 Select the type of the sprinkler system (wet or dry).
 Select the sprinkler K-factor based on information provided in Table 2.
 Select the C-value of the pipe based on information provided in Table 3; in most of the cases, it shall
be selected C=120 (for mild/galvanized steel).
Hazard class Coverage of Maximum distance Comments

sprinkler head between sprinkler
(m2) heads (m)
Light Hazard 21 4.6 Hospitals and school are typically

classified as light hazard. The maximum
fire load is 400 MJ/m2
Ordinary 12 4.0 Hotels, offices, residential premises and
Hazard retail premises are typically classified as
ordinary hazard. The range of fire loading
is 400-1000 MJ/m2
High Hazard 9 3.7 High hazard risks will be commercial and
industrial premises having abnormal fire
loads due to the process taking place, the
type of goods being stored and the height
to which goods are stored. The fire load is
likely to be more than 1000 MJ/m2
Table 1 – Fire sprinkler spacing design
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Hazard class Design density Sprinkler Nominal K-factor Minimum

(mm/min) Type (l/(min, bar0.5) pressure (bar)
Light Hazard 2,25 conventional, spray, 57 0.70

ceiling, flush, flat spray,
recessed, concealed,
and sidewall
Ordinary 5,0 conventional, spray, 80 or 115 0.35
Hazard ceiling, flush, flat spray,
recessed, concealed,
and sidewall
HHP and HHS <=10 conventional, spray 80, 115 or 160 0.50
ceiling or roof
sprinklers
>10 conventional, spray 115 or 160
HHS conventional, spray, 80 or 115 2.00
intermediate and
sprinklers in flat spray
high piled
storage
Table 2 – Sprinkler types and K-factors for various hazard classes
Type of pipe C-value
cast iron 100

ductile iron 110
mild steel 120
galvanized steel 120
spun cement 130
cement lined cast iron 130
stainless steel 140
copper 140 140
reinforced glass fiber 140
Table 3 – C values for various types of pipe
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Hazard class Design Area of operation

density (m2)
(mm/min)
Wet or pre-action Dry or alternate
LH 2,25 84 Not allowed;
use OH1
OH1 5,0 72 90
OH2 5,0 144 180
OH3 5,0 216 270
OH4 5,0 360 Not allowed;
use HHP1
HHP1 7,5 260 325
HHP2 10,0 260 325
HHP3 12,5 260 325
Table 4 – Design criteria for LH, OH and HHP
4.2 OUTPUT DATA

 Based on your previous selections, the tool shall return ther below values:
- density, in l/min, m2;
- area of operation (calculated area) based on hazard class, in m2; refer to Table 4, as well;
- coverage per sprinkler, in m2; refer to Table 1, as well;
- number of sprinklers to be calculated;
- the flow in first sprinkler, in l/min, using:
q = (design density) x (area per sprinkler) formula.
 Based on density selection, area of operation and protection area per sprinkler head, the excel sheet
shall calculates the total number of sprinklers, along with the flow rate (l/min) of the first sprinkler.
4.3 PRESSURE LOSS TABLE – INPUT DATA

 Type-in the nodes, under “nozzle ID & location” column.
 Type-in the pipe dia. value, in mm, under “pipe size” column.
 Select the pipe fitting type (elbow / tee / valve etc.) and type-in the quantity of each selected fitting.
 Type-in the total straight, run pipe between two nodes.
 Pipe friction loss shall be calculated based on Hazen-Williams formula:
where:
- p is the pressure loss in the pipe, in bar;

- Q is the flow through the pipe, in litres per minute;
- d is the mean internal diameter of the pipe, in millimetres;
- C is a constant for the type and condition of the pipe (see Table 3);
- L is the equivalent length of pipe and fittings, in metres.
 The increased flow rates shall be determined proportionately as follows:
q = K ∗ √𝑝, where:
- K is the sprinkler factor, in l/(min, bar0.5 (see Table 2);
- p is the pressure loss in the pipe, in bar.
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M HVACS03-12
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18 maart
2019/04/01
2009
Versie 0.1
4.4 PRESSURE LOSS TABLE - OUTPUT DATA

 The sheet calculates automatically:
(i) the total flow rate demand, Qmax (l/min) and
(ii) the pressure loss, p (bar).
5. QUICK WORK FLOW METHODOLOGY

 Introduce the ID location of the sprinkler (node) based on the schematic/isometric;
 Select hazard classification  design density value [(l/min)/m2]  area of operation (m2);
 Coverage area per sprinkler head (m2), based on selected hazard classification;
 Find out the number of sprinklers to be calculated (area of operation divided by coverage area per
sprinkler);
 Find out the first sprinkler flow rate (coverage area per sprinkler multiplied by the density design);
 Flow rate (l/min) shall be automatically calculated based on the first sprinkler flow rate and flow
increment (q=K√p);
 Pipe size value will be manually introduced based on pressure losses criteria;
 “Pipe fittings & devices” column shall contain the fitting type (i.e. 45 E/B, Tee, Gate valve, NRV…)
 “Equivalent pipe length” column shall contain the straight pipe length (L=…), the equivalent pipe
length for fittings and valves (F=…) and the sum of both lengths (total length T=…);
 Friction loss is calculated based on Hazen-William formula;
 “Pressure summary” column calculates the total pressure losses of the (sub)system.
6. TANK CALCULATIONS WORKSHEET

 There two ways for determining the minimum water storage volume for a sprinkler system, in m3:
- for pre-calculated system(s), being only applicable for LH and OH systems and
- for fully calculated systems, being applicable for all hazard classifications (including High Hazard
systems).
6.1 FIRE WATER TANK SIZE FOR PRE-CALCULATED LH AND OH SYSTEMS

 Inorder to find out the minimum fire water storage volume, you just need to select:
- The classification of the fire hazard (already done in previous worksheet!);
- The type of the sprinkler type - wet or dry (already done in previous worksheet!);
- The height ‘h’ of the highest sprinkler above the lowest sprinkler, excluding sprinklers in the
sprinkler valve room.
 Based on your selections, the minimum water volume value shall be displayed.
6.2 FIRE WATER TANK SIZE FOR CALCULATED SYSTEMS

 The minimum effective water volume shall be calculated by multiplying the maximum flow demand
(Qmax) by the duration specified
 In order to find out the minimum fire water storage volume, you just need:
- To select the classification of the fire hazard (already done in previous worksheet!);
- To type-in the total flow rate demand Qmax, in l/min (this value shall be taken from previous
worksheet)
 Based on your selections, the minimum water volume value shall be displayed, taking into
consideration the minimum time period (in minutes), specified in the Norm.
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7. TANK CALCULATIONS WORKSHEET

 The pressure head of the fire pump, in metres, shall be sum of:
- Static pressure, in metres: the value is required to be specified by the user, based on project’s
characteristics;
- Residual pressure (minimum pressure at sprinkler orifice), in metres: the value is already
calculated in “Hydraulic” worksheet; refer to Table 2, as well;
- Pressure loss head, in metres: the value is already calculated in “Hydraulic” worksheet;
8. REFERENCES
Calculation sheet:
 Calculation tool (available in English, French and Dutch) which can be found on Sesame server @
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M HVACS03-12
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18 maart
2019/04/01
2009
Versie 0.1
9. EXAMPLE
 In this example, will we use a very simple system with just few sprinklers and pipes; this is often
called a branch (or range) pipe, which is part of a larger 'tree system'. A tree system is 'end feed',
 that is water is only fed from one direction as opposed to a grid or loop system when water may
arrive at the sprinkler head from more than one direction.
 Below is a 3D view of the system which we will calculate (see Figure 4 & 5). We have dimensioned
the pipe lengths and given each junction point a unique node reference number which we use
throughout the calculations.
Figure 1 – Defining the fire hazard classification, sprinkler type, K-factor and C-factor (Input data)
Figure 2 – Density design value, area of operation, protected area per sprinkler, Hazen-Williams friction loss formula
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Figure 3 – Maximum flow rate demand Qmax and pressure loss calculations using Hazen-Williams formula
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M HVACS03-12
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TEAM FIRE SAFETY - Methodology 2009
CONCEPT 0.0
Versie 0.1
Figure 4 - 3D view of a 'tree' sprinkler system
Figure 5 - Zoom on 1st branch (range) pipe
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M HVACS03-12
AXXX
18 maart
2019/04/01
TEAM FIRE SAFETY - Methodology 2009
CONCEPT 0.0
Versie 0.1
 For each pipe, we need to know:

- the pipe length (m),
- pipe diameter (mm) and
- the pipe material (C-factor).
 In order to perform the hydraulic calculations, we will use se the following design parameters:
- design density: 5.00 mm/min (Ordinary Hazard – Offices building)
- sprinkler head: K-factor of 80 with a minimum pressure 0.5 bar
- protected area: 12.0 m2
Node Ref Design Density Sprinkler k-factor Sprinkler minimum Protected
(mm/min) pressure (Bar) area (m2)
101, 102, 103 5.00 80 0.5 12.0
201, 202, 203 5.00 80 0.5 12.0
301, 302, 303 5.00 80 0.5 12.0
Step 1.
 Calculate the minimum flow which will be required at the most remote sprinkler which in this case is
at node [101]; this is a two-step process as will need to calculate the minimum flow required to
satisfy the 5.00 mm/min design density and then find the flow rate from the sprinkler given the
sprinklers minimum pressure requirement; whichever is the greater value, flow will become our
initial flow from the first sprinkler at node [101].
 q = (design density) x (area per sprinkler)
q = 5.0 mm/min x 12.0 m2 = 60.0 l/min
 q = k*sqrt(p)
q = 80*sqrt(0.5) = 57.0 l/min, where:
p = the required pressure, bar
q = the required flow from the first sprinkler, l/min
k = the discharge coefficient of the sprinkler (k-factor)
 We can see that the minimum flow required from the sprinkler head will be 60.0 l/min as this is the
highest flow rate from the two calculations and is required to meet the 5.0 mm/min design density.
 We recalculate the minimum required pressure:
p = (q/k)2
p = (60/80)2 = 0.563 bar
 We have now determined the minimum pressure and flow for the first sprinkler at node [101] which
will be 60.0 l/min @ 0.56 bar.
Step 2.
 The next step is to calculate the pressure drop in the pipe between node [101] and [102] and for
this we will use the Hazen-Williams pressure loss formula.
𝑄1.85
𝑝 = 𝐿 ∗ 6.05 ∗ ( ) ∗ 105, where:
𝐶 1.85 ∗𝑑4.87
- p = pressure loss in bar per meter

- L = total pipe length, including the equivalent pipe length for fittings and valves, in meters
- Q = flow through the pipe in l/min
- C = friction loss coefficient
- d = internal diameter of the pipe in mm
 Pipe length is 3.25m (the distance between node [101] and [102]) and we have the below fittings:
- 90 deg. E/B@25mm x 1 no. = 0.77m
- Eq. tee@25mm x 1 no. = 1.5m
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 Total pipe length is 3.25+(0.77+1.5)=5.52m

 We know that the flow rate from the sprinkler at node [101] is 60.0 l/min and this will be the flow
rate in the first pipe between nodes [101]-[102]. As the pipe has a diameter of 25.0 mm and has a
C value of 120 this will give us:
60.01.85 bar
𝑝 = 6.05 ∗ ( ) ∗ 105 = 0.026 x 5.52 = 0.144 bar
1201.85 ∗254.87 m
 The pressure loss in the first pipe is 0.026 bar/m and the total pressure loss in the pipe is 0.144 bar.
 We now need to add the pressure loss in the pipe to the start pressure at the sprinkler head at node
[101] which was 0.56 bar to find to pressure at node [102] and this gives us 0.56 + 0.144 = 0.704
bar.
 The next step is to find the flow from the second sprinkler head at node [102]; to do this we will use
the K-Factor formula:
q = k*sqrt(p)
q = 80*sqrt(0.704) = 67.1 l/min
 To find the total flow in the second pipe we will sum the previous two flow rate values:
q1 = 60.0 l/min @ node [101]
q2 = 67.1 l/min @ node [102]
q = sum(q1,q2) = 127.1 l/min
 We have now determined the minimum pressure and flow for the second sprinkler at node [102]
which will be 67.1 l/min @ 0.704 bar.
Step 3.
 As we already know the required pressure and total flow rate in node [102], we can calculate the
pressure drop in the pipe between node [102] and [103] using the same Hazen-Williams formula:
127.11.85 bar
𝑝 = 6.05 ∗ ( 1.85 4.87 ) ∗ 105 = 0.105 x 5.52 = 0.579 bar
120 ∗ 25 m
 Pipe length is 3.25m (the distance between node [102] and [103]) and we have the below fittings:
- 90 deg. E/B@25mm x 1 no. = 0.77m
- Eq. tee@25mm x 1 no. = 1.5m
 Total pipe length is 3.25+(0.77+1.5)=5.52m
 Total required pressure is the sum of previous value and the new pressure drop, where we have:
p = 0.704 + 0.579 = 1.283 bar
 The flow from the third sprinkler head at node [103]:
q = 80*sqrt(1.283) = 90.6 l/min
 The total flow:
q = sum(q1, q2, q3) = 217.7 l/min
 We have now determined the minimum pressure and flow for the third sprinkler at node [103] which
will be 90.6 l/min @ 1.283 bar.
Step 4.
 Right now, we have calculated the first pipe branch [101-103].
 Similarly, we can calculate the other two branches [201-203] and [301-303]; in order to achieve
this, we should repeat the previous steps.
Step 5.
 Calculating the flow rate and pressure for the main pipe distribution (nodes [104], [105], [106])
 Node [104]:
- Required pressure = calculated pressure [101-103] + pressure drop [103-104]
- P =1.283 + 0.515 = 1.798 bar, where:
Pressure drop [103-104] = 0.515 bar/m (L=5.05m & 90 deg. E/B@32mm x 1 no.)
- Total flow rate = calculated flow rate [101-103] + calculated flow rate [201-203]
- q = 217.7 + 217.7 = 435.4 l/min
 Node [105]:
- P =1.798 + 0.488 = 2.286 bar, where:
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Pressure drop [104-105] = 0.488 bar/m (L=3.70m & Tee@50mm x 1 no.)

- Total flow rate = calculated flow rate [104-105] + calculated flow rate [301-303]
- q = 435.4 + 217.7 = 653.1 l/min
 Node [106]:
- P =2.286 + 0.107 = 2.393 bar, where:
Pressure drop [105-106] = 0.107 bar/m (L=1.40m & Tee@65mm x 1 no.)
- Total flow rate = calculated flow rate [105]
- q = 653.1 l/min
 We have now determined the required pressure and flow at node [106] which will be 653.1 l/min
@ 2.393 bar.
Step 6.
 Right now, we have calculated the first three pipe branches [101-106].
 Similarly, we can calculate the whole sprinkler system, up to the pump room; in order to achieve
this, we should repeat the previous steps; note that the flow rate of the entire system shall be the
sum of the number of sprinkler heads from the area of operation.
Node Ref Design Density Pressure (bar) Flow from sprinkler or Protected
(mm/min) Flow pipe area (m2)
(l/min)
101 5.00 0.56 60 12.0
102 5.00 0.704 67.1 12.0
103 5.00 1.283 90.6 12.0
104 - 1.798 435.4 -
105 - 2.286 653.1 -
106 - 2.393 653.1 -
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M HVACS03-12

1. SCOPE AND GENERAL TERMS

1.1 SCOPE. HOW TO USE THE DOCUMENT

1.2 GENERAL TERMS. DISCLAIMER

4. HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS WORKSHEET

4.1 INPUT DATA

Hazard class Coverage of Maximum distance Comments

Light Hazard 21 4.6 Hospitals and school are typically

Hazard class Design density Sprinkler Nominal K-factor Minimum

Light Hazard 2,25 conventional, spray, 57 0.70

Type of pipe C-value

cast iron 100

Hazard class Design Area of operation

4.2 OUTPUT DATA

4.3 PRESSURE LOSS TABLE – INPUT DATA

- p is the pressure loss in the pipe, in bar;

4.4 PRESSURE LOSS TABLE - OUTPUT DATA

5. QUICK WORK FLOW METHODOLOGY

6. TANK CALCULATIONS WORKSHEET

6.1 FIRE WATER TANK SIZE FOR PRE-CALCULATED LH AND OH SYSTEMS

6.2 FIRE WATER TANK SIZE FOR CALCULATED SYSTEMS

7. TANK CALCULATIONS WORKSHEET

Figure 4 - 3D view of a 'tree' sprinkler system

Figure 5 - Zoom on 1st branch (range) pipe

 For each pipe, we need to know:

101, 102, 103 5.00 80 0.5 12.0

201, 202, 203 5.00 80 0.5 12.0

301, 302, 303 5.00 80 0.5 12.0

- p = pressure loss in bar per meter

 Total pipe length is 3.25+(0.77+1.5)=5.52m

Pressure drop [104-105] = 0.488 bar/m (L=3.70m & Tee@50mm x 1 no.)

102 5.00 0.704 67.1 12.0

103 5.00 1.283 90.6 12.0

104 - 1.798 435.4 -

105 - 2.286 653.1 -

106 - 2.393 653.1 -

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