Section 22.

4 ● Hydraulic Calculation Procedures 845

The 1966 edition of NFPA 13 was the first to include a chapter that dealt with hydraulic cal-
culations. The following sentence is from that edition: “The design area shall be the hy-
draulically most remote area and shall include all sprinklers on both sides of the cross main.”
This sentence meant that, if the system shown in Figure A.22.3.2(b) were to be calculated, the
10 sprinklers on the end of the system (five on each side of the cross main), plus two on the
next branch line, would be included in the calculation.
However, under certain conditions, such as where sprinklers were spaced 13 ft (3.96 m)
apart on a branch line and the branch lines were spaced 10 ft (3.05 m) apart, and where the
design area included 12 sprinklers, some designers were calculating 3 sprinklers on a branch
line [3 ⫻ 13 ft = 39 ft (3 ⫻ 3.96 m = 11.9 m)] over four branch lines [4 ⫻ 10 ft = 40 ft (4 ⫻
3.05 m = 12.2 m)]. This approach resulted in a design area that was nearly a perfect square.
The square shape for the design area would be inadequate if 4 sprinklers operated on the
branch line. Therefore, the requirement that the area of operation take the form of a rectan-
gle, with the length of the longer side having a dimension of 1.2⻫A, was eventually added.
Gridded systems, along with the specification of a square-shaped design area, first ap-
peared in the 1975 edition of NFPA 13 as follows: “For gridded systems, the design area shall
be the hydraulically most remote area which approaches a square.” This requirement was
adopted because it did not seem logical to calculate all of the sprinklers on one line of a grid,
which had been done for tree systems since 1966.
In later editions of NFPA 13, the characteristic square design area was changed to a rec-
tangular area. The longer side of the rectangle must be at least 1.2 times greater in length than
its shorter side. The dimension of the rectangle that is parallel to the branch lines must be the
longer dimension to account for the possibility that a fire could spread in that direction and
open multiple sprinklers on a single branch line before opening sprinklers on other branch
lines. To require more water to flow through a smaller number of individual branch lines is
hydraulically more demanding than to require the same demand to be supplied by more
branch lines with fewer operating sprinklers. Obviously, a worst-case scenario would be to
make the designer calculate all of the sprinklers on the remote branch line. However, at a cer-
tain point, the fire is much more likely to spread to areas under adjacent branch lines than to
spread entirely under one branch line. Part of the rationale behind design areas is an attempt
to predict where heat from a fire will travel. To provide an even greater factor of safety, some
insurance companies require the longer side of the design area to have a dimension of 1.4⻫A.
This more conservative approach, however, is not considered necessary by NFPA 13.
It should be noted that the design area is not always a single rectangle. The design area
can consist of two rectangles when the number of sprinklers on the branch line closest to the
water supply is less than the number of sprinklers on the most remote branch line. This situ-
ation frequently occurs when 1 or 2 sprinklers need to be added to the design area to ensure
that the number of sprinklers is sufficient to physically cover the area requirement.
The number of sprinklers for the design area can be calculated using the area of cover-
age for the sprinklers where the sprinklers are installed with relatively uniform spacing. For
example, for a design area of 1500 ft2 (139 m2) and an area of coverage of 130 ft2 (12 m2) per
sprinkler, the total number of sprinklers to be considered in the design area is 1500 ft2 divided
by 130 ft2 (139 m2 divided by 12 m2), which results in a total of 12 sprinklers (the actual num-
ber of 11.5 is rounded up to the next whole number).
The number of sprinklers along a branch line can be determined by dividing the length
of the design area’s longer side by the spacing of the sprinklers along the branch line where
the sprinklers are relatively uniform in their spacing. For example, with a design area of 1500
ft2 (139 m2) and a sprinkler spacing of 13 ft (3.96 m) along the branch lines and 10 ft (3.05
m) between branch lines, the number of sprinklers in the design area along the branch line is
4 — that is, (1.2⻫1500 ft2)/13 ft or (1.2⻫139 m2)/3.96 m. With a total of 12 sprinklers to be
considered and 4 sprinklers required per branch line, a total of three branch lines must be con-
sidered in the design area — that is, 12 divided by 4 equals 3. This technique applies only
where all sprinklers are uniformly spaced.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook 2010

846 Chapter 22 ● Plans and Calculations

FAQ 䊳 Where sprinklers are not uniformly spaced, the same general rules apply, but there are no
How are design areas neat formulas for determining the number of sprinklers in the design area or the maximum
determined where sprinklers are number of sprinklers to include on any single branch line. Instead, the length of the design
not uniformly spaced?
area needs to be determined (using the rule of 1.2 times the square root of the design area),
and all of the sprinklers that cover any part of the design area length need to be included in
the design area. Once the sprinklers on the most remote branch line have been established,
adjacent sprinklers on additional branch lines closer to the water supply need to be added until
the area encompassed by the sprinklers exceeds the total design area. Then, on the branch line
closest to the water supply, sprinklers can be dropped from the design area if they are the least
demanding sprinklers on the branch line and still allow the remaining sprinklers to physically
cover the required design area.
An example illustrating nonuniform sprinkler spacing requirements follows. Sprinklers
are located in an ordinary hazard occupancy in accordance with the spacing rules of Chapter
8, but, due to the location of walls and potential obstructions, the spacing is not uniform.
Sprinklers are located as shown in the plan view in Exhibit 22.4. For the sake of this exam-
ple, only the sprinklers, cross main, and branch lines near the design area are shown.

EXHIBIT 22.4 Design Area

Example with Nonuniform 2 ft
Spacing of Sprinklers.
10 ft
4 ft 6 ft 8 ft 10 ft 6 ft 4 ft 6 ft 8 ft 6 ft 2 ft

12 ft

10 ft

For SI units, 1 ft = 0.3 m.

If the ceiling in the building is 20 ft (6.1 m) in height, a density/area can be selected from
the curves in Figure 11.2.3.1.1, and the area can be reduced by 25 percent if quick-response
sprinklers are installed. Therefore, the final design area for this example is 1125 ft2 (104.25
m2) [1500 ft2 ⫻ 0.75 = 1125 ft2 (139 m2 ⫻ 0.75 = 104.25 m2)]. Using the rule for 1.2 times
the square root of the design area, the length of the design area parallel to the branch lines
needs to be at least 40.25 ft (12.3 m) long [1.2 times the square root of 1125 ft2 (104.25 m2)].
The design area needs to start in the northwest corner of the building (most remote from the
water supply) and continue to the east, picking up all sprinklers that cover territory within
40.25 ft (12.3 m) of the corner, as shown in Exhibit 22.5. Note that the design area has to in-
clude the five sprinklers labeled as A, B, C, D, and E. Sprinkler F is not included in the de-
sign area, because sprinkler E is permitted to cover 2.25 ft (0.69 m) to its east. This raises an

2010 Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook

 Section 22.4 ● Hydraulic Calculation Procedures 839

the actual length of pipe attached to the fitting. To correctly add the equivalent pipe length to
the actual pipe length, the two pipes need to be of the same material and of the same internal
diameter, and they must have the same C factor.
Table 22.4.3.1.1 contains equivalent lengths for various types of fittings and valves for
Schedule 40 pipe with a C factor of 120. Where other types of pipe are used, the length of
pipe needed to create the same amount of friction loss will be different. The formula in
22.4.3.1.3.1 is used to adjust for different pipe diameter (other schedules of pipe), and
22.4.3.2, including Table 22.4.3.2, is used to adjust for differing C factors.
The example that follows illustrates the effect of differing C factors. The base formula for
friction loss through a given length of pipe using the Hazen–Williams approach is as follows:

4.52Q1.85
Pf = L ⫻
(C1.85)(d4.87)
where:
Pf = friction loss (psi)
L = length (ft)
Q = flow (gpm)
C = friction loss coefficient
d = actual internal diameter of pipe (in.)
The example illustrates why an adjustment is needed and considers a 2 in. (50 mm),
Schedule 40, 10 ft (3 m) length of steel pipe with a C factor of 100 when 135 gpm (511
L/min) is flowing through the pipe. The actual internal diameter of the pipe must be used.
Table A.6.3.2 and Table A.6.3.5 provide information in this regard. When the C factor is 100,
the friction loss is as follows:
4.52(1351.85)
Pf(100) =10
[
(1001.85)(2.0674.87) ]
= 2.7 psi

From Table 22.4.3.2, the multiplier for pipe having a C value of 100 is 0.713. The cor-
rection to the friction loss value is as follows:
Pf(100) = 2.7 psi ⫻ 0.713 = 1.9 psi
When the C factor is 120, the friction loss is as follows:
4.52(1351.85)
Pf(120) = 10
[ (1201.85)(2.0674.87) ]
= 1.9 psi

Therefore, the values from Table 22.4.3.1.1 need to be adjusted accordingly when C factors
other than 120 are used.
Another example specifically considers the adjustment needed for a fitting. Determine
the equivalent length of a 11/4 in. (32 mm) 90 degree elbow used in a system employing Sched-
ule 10 steel pipe on a dry pipe system.
In Step 1, determine the internal diameter of Schedule 10 and Schedule 40 steel pipe. From
Table A.6.3.2, Schedule 10 is 1.442 in. (36.6 mm) and Schedule 40 is 1.380 in. (35.1 mm).
In Step 2, derive the factor using the following equation (see also 22.4.3.1.3.1):
4.87
factor = (
1.442 in.
1.380 in. ) = 1.2387

In Step 3, establish the equivalent length of a 11/4 in. pipe obtained from Table 22.4.3.1.1
for a 11/4 in. (32 mm), Schedule 40, 90 degree elbow by the factor determined in Step 2, as
follows:
3 ft (0.9 m) ⫻ 1.2387 = 3.716 ft (1.13 m)

Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook 2010

844 Chapter 22 ● Plans and Calculations

System A in Figure A.22.4.4.1(a) shows the design area for 12 sprinklers with three branch
lines and 4 sprinklers per branch line. However, all sprinkler systems don’t end up with per-
fectly rectangular design areas as shown in system A. Frequently, an extra sprinkler or two
needs to be added to the design area to make sure that it covers the right size space, and Fig-
ure A.22.4.4.1.1.1 was added in the 2010 edition to show such an example. In these cases, the
design area becomes two rectangles, one smaller and one larger.
Systems B and C in Figure A.22.4.4.1(a) are examples of two such rectangular design
areas, with the location of the extra sprinkler on the fourth branch line.
System D in Figure A.22.4.4.1(a) illustrates the situation described in 22.4.4.1.1.3, with
an insufficient number of sprinklers on the branch lines to meet the rule for 1.2 times the
square root of the area. In this case, additional sprinklers on additional branch lines are added
to maintain the minimum design area.
System E in Figure A.22.4.4.1(a) illustrates that sprinklers on both sides of the cross
main can be used to achieve the required design area and the rule for 1.2 times the square root
of the design area.
Figure A.22.4.4.1(b) illustrates the design area for looped systems with various riser lo-
cations and branch line configurations.
22.4.4.1.1 Density/Area Method.
22.4.4.1.1.1* Where the design is based on the density/area method, the design area shall be
a rectangular area having a dimension parallel to the branch lines at least 1.2 times the square
root of the area of sprinkler operation (A) used, which shall permit the inclusion of sprinklers
on both sides of the cross main.
A.22.4.4.1.1.1 The word “rectangular” in this section is not meant to imply that the design
area always has to be a rectangle. Instead, the intent is to require a design area with sides that
meet at right angles and the longer side parallel to the branch lines. In many cases, this will
be a perfect rectangle with four sides. However, in some cases with multiple sprinklers on
multiple branch lines within the design area, the design area can be satisfied with fewer sprin-
klers on the last branch line than on the first, resulting in a design area that is a rectangle with
the corner cut out as shown in Figure A.22.4.4.1.1.1.

10 ft

10 ft

Design area

Discharge criteria: 0.45 gpm²/2000 ft²

20 sprinklers in design area 1.2(2000)0.5/10 = 5.3 rounded up to
6 sprinklers per branch line
Note that the design area is not a perfect rectangle. The 2000 ft²
requirement can be met with fewer sprinklers on the fourth branch
line back, so there is no need to include the additional four sprinklers
on the fourth branch line.

FIGURE A.22.4.4.1.1.1 Example of Nonsymmetrical

Hydraulically Most Demanding Area.

22.4.4.1.1.2 Any fractional sprinkler shall be carried to the next higher whole sprinkler.
22.4.4.1.1.3 In systems having branch lines with an insufficient number of sprinklers to ful-
fill the 1.2 requirement, the design area shall be extended to include sprinklers on adjacent
branch lines supplied by the same cross main.

2010 Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook

 Section 22.4 ● Hydraulic Calculation Procedures 841

Calculated area A 2 12 ft between sprinklers

1 x x x x x x
10 ft between lines
2 x x x x x x
3 x x x x x x
4 x x x x x x
A B C D E F
Notes:
1. For gridded systems, the extra sprinkler (or sprinklers) on branch
line 4 can be placed in any adjacent location from B to E at the
designer’s option.
2. For tree and looped systems, the extra sprinkler on line 4
should be placed closest to the cross main.

Assume a remote area of 1500 ft2 with sprinkler coverage of 120 ft2

Design area
Total sprinklers to calculate =
Area per sprinkler
1500
= = 12.5, calculate 13
120

1.2÷ A
Number of sprinklers on branch line =
S
Where:
A = design area
S = distance between sprinklers on branch line

1.2÷1500 = 3.87
Number of sprinklers on branch line =
12

For SI units, 1 ft = 0.3048 m; 1 ft2 = 0.0929 m2.

FIGURE A.22.4.4 Example of Determining the Number of

Sprinklers to Be Calculated.

lated on the second branch line. Hydraulic calculations for the first branch at point A indicate
a demand of 37 gpm (140.1 L/min) at 15 psi (1.0 bar). This demand includes discharge
through sprinklers 1 and 2 and the associated pressure and elevation losses. Hydraulic calcu-
lations for the second branch line when sprinkler 3 is operating indicate a demand of 18 gpm
(68.1 L/min) at 12 psi (0.8 bar) at point A. Because only one pressure can exist at point A, the
higher pressure of 15 psi (1.0 bar) will need to be provided, so that the proper discharge from
sprinklers 1 and 2 is obtained. Supplying a pressure of 12 psi (0.8 bar) will result in less than
1
37 gpm (140.1 L/min) through the first branch line. At point A, 15 psi (1.0 bar) will create a 2
waterflow in excess of 18 gpm (68.1 L/min) through the second branch line to sprinkler 3.
The increased flow can be calculated by determining a K-factor at point A, using the demand 3
information for sprinkler 3 at point A of 18 gpm (68.1 L/min) at 12 psi (0.8 bar) and rear-
ranging the formula Q = K⻫P to solve for K. This equation yields a K-factor of K-5.2, as fol-
lows:
(18 gpm)
A
⻫12 psi
The K-factor is used to determine the flow at sprinkler 3 if the pressure is increased to 15 psi EXHIBIT 22.3 Branch Line
(1.0 bar) with the formula Q = K⻫P. In this case, Q = 5.2⻫15 psi (1.0 bar) = 20 gpm (75.7 Schematic.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook 2010

 Section 22.4 ● Hydraulic Calculation Procedures 843

Paragraph 22.4.4.1 clarifies that the water supply must be capable of handling the most de-
manding situation faced by the system. The most demanding situation may not be the most
remote from the water supply if situations closer to the water supply are more hazardous or
have larger areas protected by individual sprinklers. For example, an office building might be
sprinklered as a light hazard occupancy, with sprinklers spaced 14 ft ⫻ 14 ft (4.3 m ⫻ 4.3 m)
in the rooms remote from the water supply and extended coverage sprinklers covering 20 ft
⫻ 20 ft (6.1 m ⫻ 6.1 m) close to the water supply. The extended coverage sprinklers are closer
to the water supply, but they may produce a demand greater than the sprinklers on 14 ft ⫻ 14
ft (4.3 m ⫻ 4.3 m) spacing far from the water supply. Calculations need to be performed for
verification. Where multiple areas are being calculated, it is possible that one area will have
a higher pressure demand and the other area will have a higher flow demand. In these cir-
cumstances, adding the demands together is not necessary. It is also not necessary to ensure X X X X X X

X
X X

X
X

X
X X X X X X

that the higher flow is available at the higher pressure. Instead, the water supply only needs X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X

to be verified as being capable of handling each individual demand situation. X X X X X X X X X

Paragraph 22.4.4.1 also recognizes that the design areas are not always in the shape of a X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

rectangle. For example, in a design involving listed residential sprinklers, the design area of X X X X X X X X X

four sprinklers might be a perfect square, depending on the branch line locations and the room X X

X X
configuration. X X

The storage discharge requirements are broken out of Chapter 12 and into their own X X

X X
chapters. These requirements are located in Chapters 13 to 20. However, since the general X X

rules remained in Chapter 12, 22.4.4.1 only references Chapter 12. But, by inference, all of X

X
X

the rules in Chapters 13 through 20 are referenced in Chapter 12.

A
A.22.4.4.1 See Figure A.22.4.4.1(a) and Figure A.22.4.4.1(b). X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X
X
X X
X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X
X

X X X X X X X X
X

X X X
X X X X X X

X X X X X X X
A
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X
A X X X X
X X X X X X

X X X X X X
X

X
X

X X X X X X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X X X X X X
X

X
X

X
X

X X X X X X

1
X

X
X

X
X

X X X X X X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X X X X X X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X X
B
X

X
X

X X

B X X

X X

X X

X X

X X

X X X X X X

X X X X X X
C D
X X X X X X
X

X
X

X X X X X X
X

X
X

X X X X X X
X

X
X

X X
B
X

X
X

X X
X

X
X

X X

X X

X X

E
FIGURE A.22.4.4.1(b)
1 This sprinkler is not in the selected area of operation. Example of Hydraulically
Most Demanding Area
FIGURE A.22.4.4.1(a) Example of Hydraulically Most for Various Piping
Demanding Area. Arrangements.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook 2010

840 Chapter 22 ● Plans and Calculations
FAQ 䊳 The values in Table 22.4.3.1.1 are not friction losses. They are the lengths of straight pipe
Why are the equivalent lengths
multiplied by numbers greater
than 1.0 for C factors better
than 120 and less than 1.0 for C
factors less than 120 when C
factors less than 120 have a
worse friction loss?
In Step 4, make a final adjustment for the different C factor for a dry pipe system. From
Table 22.4.4.7, the C value for a dry system using black steel is 100. From Table 22.4.3.2, the
multiplier for pipe with a C value of 100 is 0.713. Therefore, the equivalent length of a 11/4 in.
(32 mm) 90 degree elbow used in a system employing Schedule 10 steel pipe on a dry pipe
system is as follows:
0.713 ⫻ 3.716 ft (1.13 m) = 2.6495 ft (808 mm)
that have the same friction loss as the fittings or valves. Pipes with C factors greater than 120
have less friction loss per foot of pipe, therefore it takes more pipe to get to the same friction
loss of a fitting than it does for pipe with a C factor of 120. Likewise, pipes with a C factor
less than 120 take less pipe to achieve the same friction loss as it does pipe with a C factor of
120.
22.4.3.3 Valves. Specific friction loss values or equivalent pipe lengths for alarm valves, dry
pipe valves, deluge valves, strainers, and other devices shall be made available to the author-
ity having jurisdiction.
22.4.3.4 Differing Values. Specific friction loss values or equivalent pipe lengths for listed
fittings not in Table 6.4.1 shall be used in hydraulic calculations where these losses or equiv-
alent pipe lengths are different from those shown in Table 22.4.3.1.1.
Specially listed products that do not conform to the ASTM pipe sizes are addressed in
22.4.3.4. A number of special fittings that are listed for various pipe types are available on the
market. These fittings often have friction loss values that differ from the values given in Table
22.4.3.1.1. Although these fittings tend to facilitate the installation of a system, they do come
with a pressure penalty that must be accounted for in the hydraulic calculations. As indicated
in 22.1.3, the working plans are required to include manufacturer’s instructions and informa-
tion on these specially listed fittings.
22.4.4* Calculation Procedure.
A.22.4.4 See Figure A.22.4.4.
Details on how to properly calculate the water demand of a sprinkler system are provided in
22.4.4. The various concepts and equations described throughout Chapters 11 through 22 to
hydraulically design a system are tied together in 22.4.4.
The concepts in Chapters 11 through 21 are used to determine the amount of water each
sprinkler will need to discharge, the pressure necessary to achieve this flow, the number of
sprinklers to calculate, the duration of the water supply, and the existence and demand of hose
connections. Hydraulic calculations are then typically performed by starting with the flow
and pressure demand at the most hydraulically demanding single point in the system, which
is usually the most distant sprinkler from the water supply. Working back toward the water
supply, pressure losses and additional flows are added to determine the total water demand.
At some points within a system, the waterflow will split and travel in two or more direc-
tions. This flow split happens on cross mains with multiple branch lines, at connections to
lines supplying in-rack sprinklers, and at connections to hose stations. When this type of flow
split occurs, the demand for each leg of the split needs to be calculated independently. Be-
cause only one pressure reading can exist at a single point in the system, the more demand-
ing pressure reading is used at the point of separation. Therefore, the flow through the line
that requires less pressure needs to be adjusted to the higher pressure. This adjustment results
in a greater waterflow because of the greater amount of pressure. The adjustment is accom-
plished using a combined K-factor, as shown in the example that follows, and as permitted by
22.4.2.4.3. (See the commentary following 22.4.2.4.3.)
Consider the portion of a sprinkler system shown in Exhibit 22.3. The flow through sprin-
klers 1 and 2 is calculated on the first branch line, and the flow through sprinkler 3 is calcu-
2010 Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook
842 Chapter 22 ● Plans and Calculations

L/min). The total demand at point A becomes 57 gpm (216 L/min) [37 gpm ⫹ 20 gpm (140
L/min ⫹ 76 L/min)] at 15 psi (1.0 bar).
Calculations at the point of connection of the line that supplies in-rack sprinklers are
done as indicated in the preceding example. At the point of connection to the ceiling sprin-
kler system, the two demands are evaluated, with the higher pressure demand selected and the
flow at the lower demand adjusted to the higher pressure. For some specific commodities
stored in racks, the protection criteria do not require the in-rack sprinkler water demand to be
added to the ceiling system demand. One example includes combustible liquids in plastic con-
tainers protected in accordance with NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.
The protection criteria for this commodity employ ceiling sprinklers, in-rack sprinklers, and
solid barriers throughout the rack. In this circumstance, only the most demanding flow from
either the ceiling sprinkler system or the in-rack sprinkler system needs to be met. Unless the
standard prescribing the sprinkler requirements expressly permits the water supply to satisfy
only the more demanding of the two systems (ceiling sprinklers or in-rack sprinklers), the two
demands need to be added together after balancing them to the higher pressure demand as
shown in the previous example.
Hose connections to sprinkler systems that are part of a standpipe system required to
meet NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, also may need
to be adjusted as described in the previous example. The requirements of NFPA 14 for com-
bined systems provide more information on this piping arrangement.
Hose connections to sprinkler systems that are not part of a standpipe system, such as
those installed for first aid in warehouses, are not required to follow the adjustments described
in the previous example. Instead, the flow demand is added to the sprinkler demand at the
point of connection using the pressure available in the system at that point. In effect, no min-
imum pressure requirement exists for hose connections that are not part of a standpipe sys-
tem.
Figure A.22.4.4 illustrates how to determine the number of sprinklers in a gridded sys-
tem’s area of operation and how to determine the number of sprinklers on each branch line in
the area of operation. Note that the formulas used in Figure A.22.4.4 only work where using
relatively uniform spacing of sprinklers and where placement of sprinklers is approximately
half the distance to the wall with respect to the location of the next sprinkler in the opposite
direction. In Figure A.22.4.4, the design area physically needs to cover 1500 ft2 (139 m2). If
the sprinklers are not uniformly spaced at 10 ft ⫻ 12 ft (3 m ⫻ 3.7 m) coverage, additional
sprinklers might need to be added, so that the design area is at least 1500 ft2 (139 m2).
Similarly, if the sprinklers on the most remote branch line are close to the wall, the 13
sprinklers shown in the design area in Figure A.22.4.4 might not cover 1500 ft2 (139 m2), and
additional sprinklers would be needed. For example, if the sprinklers on the most remote
branch line were 1 ft (0.3 m) away from the wall, the 13 sprinklers shown would only phys-
ically cover 1368 ft2 (127 m2) [26 ft2 ⫻ 48 ft2 (2.4 m2 ⫻ 4.5 m2) for the large rectangle plus
the 120 ft2 (11.1 m2) covered by sprinkler B]. Adding an additional sprinkler (sprinkler C in
Figure A.22.4.4) would only increase the covered area to 1488 ft2 (138 m2), so an additional
sprinkler (sprinkler D) would be needed to ensure that the design area covered at least 1500
ft2 (139 m2).
If the sprinkler system in Figure A.22.4.4 were a tree or loop system, the branch line
would terminate at the last sprinkler on the right in the calculated area, and the cross main
would probably be to the left. In this situation, the extra sprinkler on branch line 4 would have
to be sprinkler B for tree and loop systems, because it is closest to the supply and would be
the hydraulically most demanding on that branch line. Tree and loop systems do not have the
freedom implied by note 1 to Figure A.22.4.4.

22.4.4.1* For all systems the design area shall be the hydraulically most demanding based on
the criteria of Chapter 11, Chapter 12, or the special design approaches in accordance with
the requirements of Chapter 21.

2010 Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook