GUIDE FOR

FIRE PROTECTION AND

DETECTION SYSTEM
CALCULATIONS

Hydraulic Calculation on pipe sizing for

One- & two-family dwelling houses per
NFPA 13D

Prepared by: Mehboob Shaikh

M Tech || B.Eng. || AMIE || CFPS || CFI
Mechsoft Design|Inspection|Training info@mitionline.com/+919146861270
 EXAMPLE PROJECT

Design Area-1
Design Area-2
¾” Water Meter

City water main having static pressure of 45 psi

Per Manufacturer Literature;

18 GPM @ 18.8 psi when one Sprinkler Operating

13 GPM per Sprinkler @ 9.8 psi when Two Sprinkler Operating

So,

For Bedroom-01 demand is (Most remotest sprinkler)

18 GPM @ 18.8 psi

And demand for Dining/Living Rooms is,

13GPM x 2 = 26 GPM @ 9.8 psi

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Therefore;

Bedroom -1 Area - Most Demanding for Pressure (One Sprinkler)

Dining/Living Area – Most Demanding for flow (Two Sprinklers)

So, we need to do two calculations to satisfy both conditions

Calculation 01: For Satisfying Bedroom-01 Condition

Assuming a 1-inch Type M copper tube is used throughout the house

Step No. 01: Calculate Pressure loss per foot of pipe

Pressure loss per foot of copper pipe is 0.07 psi/foot for 18 GPM

Step No. 02: Calculate Pressure loss across Water Meter:

Water Meter loss = 4 psi

Step No. 03: Calculate Elevation Loss if any:

10 ft x 0.433 = 4.3 psi

Step No. 04: Calculate Pressure loss from the street main to the control valve

26 ft x 0.07 = 1.8 psi (23 feet of tube + 3 feet for one elbow)

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Step No. 05: Calculate the Total Pressure loss across the tube within the house (From control valve
to remote sprinkler)

= Total length of tube x psi loss/foot

=72ft x 0.07 = 5 psi

Step No. 06: Calculate the Equivalent length of fitting and valves & pressure loss

Equivalent pipe length for fitting and valves

1 Nos. of 1-in Gate Valve: 1 x 0 ft = 0 ft

7 Nos. of 1-in Tees (run): 7 x 3.0 ft = 21 ft
2 Nos. of 1-in Tees (br.): 2 x 8.0 ft = 16 ft
3 Nos. of 1-in Elbows: 3 x 3.0 ft = 9 ft

TOTAL = 46 ft

Loss in valves and fittings: 46 ft x 0.07 psi/ft = 3.2 psi

Step No. 07: Calculate the Total Pressure loss

Losses from Step 02 + 03 + 04 + 05 + 06

= 4 + 4.3 + 1.8 + 5 + 3.2

= 18.3 psi

Step No. 08: Compare available pressure with required pressure after pressure losses

Pressure remaining: 45.0 – 18.3 = 26.7 psi > 18.8 psi hence Therefore, the 1-inch Type M copper
tube selected is adequate.

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Calculation 02: For Satisfying Living/dining room Condition

Total flow required = 13 gpm x no. of flowing Sprinklers = 13 x 2 = 26 GPM

Assuming a 1-inch Type M copper tube is used throughout the house

Step No. 01: Calculate Pressure loss per foot of pipe

Pressure loss per foot of copper pipe is 0.14 psi/foot for 25 GPM per table ( for 26 GPM it will be
0.14 psi/foot)

Step No. 02: Calculate Pressure loss across Water Meter:

Water Meter loss = 9 psi

Step No. 03: Calculate Elevation Loss if any:

10 ft x 0.433 = 4.3 psi

Step No. 04: Calculate Pressure loss from the street main to the control valve

26 ft x 0.14 = 3.6 psi (23 feet of tube + 3 feet for one elbow)

Step No. 05: Calculate the Total Pressure loss across the tube within the house (From control valve
to remote sprinkler)

= Total length of tube x psi loss/foot

=61ft x 0.14 = 8.5 psi

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Step No. 06: Calculate the Equivalent length of fitting and valves & pressure loss

Equivalent pipe length for fitting and valves

1 Nos. of 1-in Gate Valve: 1 x 0 ft = 0 ft

5 Nos. of 1-in Tees (run): 5 x 3.0 ft = 15 ft
3 Nos. of 1-in Tees (br.): 3 x 8.0 ft = 24 ft
4 Nos. of 1-in Elbows: 4 x 3.0 ft = 12 ft

TOTAL = 51 ft

Loss in valves and fittings: 51 ft x 0.14 psi/ft = 7.1 psi

Step No. 07: Calculate the Total Pressure loss

Losses from Step 02 + 03 + 04 + 05 + 06

= 9 + 4.3 + 3.6+ 8.5 + 7.1

= 32.5 psi

Step No. 08: Compare available pressure with required pressure after pressure losses

Pressure remaining: 45.0 – 32.5 = 12.5 psi > 9.8 psi hence Therefore, the 1-inch Type M copper is
adequate

Conclusion:

The 1-inch Type M copper tube meets both the 18 gpm and 26 gpm design flows without exceeding
the available water supply pressure of 45 psi.

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