FIRE PUMP SELECTION

FOR
STANDPIPE SYSTEMS
PER NFPA 14 & NFPA 20
Mehboob Shaikh
M. Tech(ISFT) | B. Eng.(Mech.) | AMIE | CFPS | CFI
Given Scenario
At this stage, We have Performed Hydraulic Calculations and found the demand
flow and demand Pressure to the discharge flange of the pump to be as follows :

DEMAND FLOW = 1000 GPM

DEMAND PRESSURE = 184 PSI
Pictorial arrangement
WATER SUPPLY IS GOING TO BE CWM BELOW IS THE REASONABLE HIGH AND LOW CONDITIONS
 Two obvious choices for pumps under given
conditions would be

1. 750 GPM @ XXX psi(considering its 150% capacity to meet demand flow)
2. 1000 GPM @ XXX psi(considering its 100% capacity to meet demand flow)

We will examine both and decide

STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

Size of the suction pipe from the public water utility to the pump room = 6 Inches
Length of suction pipe from the public water utility to the pump room = 150 feet
Total Number of Fittings here;

• 6”-Standard Turn Elbow = 4 Nos.

• 6”-Tee = 1 Nos.
• 6”-Gate Valve = 1 Nos.

Refer to NFPA 14, Chapter 8, Plans and calculations, Table 8.3.1.3 and select an
equivalent length for each fitting
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

Equivalent Length of all fittings

Type of Fitting Equivalent Qty Total Equivalent length (Feet)
length (feet)
6”-Standard Turn Elbow 14 4 56
6”-Tee 30 1 30
6”-Gate Valve 3 1 3
Total 89
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

This calculated Length is required to be adjusted because of the

following reasons :

NFPA 14 table is based on schedule 40 steel pipe, All others need to be

adjusted for:
• Change in pipe material
• C-factor other than 120
• Change in interior diameter
• Other than those for schedule 40 steel
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

So, let us make the necessary adjustments

Adjusting for Inside diameter :

4.87
 Actual inside diameter 
Factor =  
 Schedule 40 Steel Pipe inside diameter 
Begin with the equivalent length value from the table
Multiply the length by the factor above calculated for the inside diameter of the pipe being used
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

So, the Total Eqv. Length of the UG pipe after making both adjustments:

Total Eqv. Length UG = Calculated Eqv. Length UG * F1 * F2

= 89 *1.08*1.33
= 127.83 feet
So, now the total Length of Underground piping
= 150 + 127.83
= 277.83 feet
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

Size of the suction pipe Inside the pump room = 8 Inches

Length of suction pipe = 10 feet
Total Number of Fittings here;

8”-Standard Turn Elbow = 1 Nos.

8”-Gate Valve = 1 Nos.
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

8.071
Factor = 4.87
7.981

Factor = 1.06 First Multiplication Factor

STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

Equivalent Length of all fittings

Type of Fitting Equivalent Qty Total Equivalent length (Feet)
length (feet)
6”-Standard Turn Elbow 18 1 18
6”-Tee 4 1 4
Total 22
STEP 01: CALCULATE THE TOTAL LENGTH OF PIPE (UG AND AG)

So, the Total Eqv. Length of the AG pipe after making both adjustments:

Total Eqv. Length UG = Calculated Eqv. Length UG * F1 * F2

= 22 *1.06*1
= 23.3 feet
So, now the total Length of Above Ground piping
= 10 + 23.3
= 33.3 feet
Step 02: Tentative Pump Selection
Pump 01 : 750 GPM @ 175 psi Pump 02 : 1000 GPM @ 175 psi
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
1. High Suction Pressure Under Static Conditions :

This is when CWM is @ reasonably high condition

High static pressure from CWM = 95 psi

The elevation pressure loss due to the 25 ft change in elevation
= 25 x 0.433 =10.8 psi
So, suction pressure at static condition = 95-10.8 = 84.2 psi
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
1. Suction pressure at demand of 1000 GPM :

When 1000 gpm is flowing to the pump, the low residual pressure from
the water supply = 45 psi
The elevation pressure loss due to the 25 ft change in elevation
= 25 x 0.433 =10.8 psi
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
Calculate Friction Loss per foot of pipe for UG and AG

From table for UG = 5.20 x 0.537 /100

= 0.0271 psi / ft

From table for UG = 1.28 x 0.7144 /100

= 0.009 psi / ft
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
1. Suction pressure at demand of 1000 GPM :

= (45 − 10.8 − (0.021 psi/ft × 277.8 ft) − (0.009 psi/ft × 33.3 ft) – 7
= 21.1 psi
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
2. Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 750 GPM :

The maximum flow for the pump rated at 750 GPM is 1125 gpm (750 ×
1.5 = 1125). The low residual pressure from the water supply = 40 psi

The elevation pressure loss due to the 25 ft change in elevation

= 25 x 0.433 =10.8 psi
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
2. Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 750 GPM :
We need to interpolate to find values @ 1125 GPM

y = 5.20 + (1125 - 1000) * (7.85 - 5.20) / (1250 - 1000)

y = 5.20 + 125 * 0.016
y = 7.00

So, pressure loss per foot of pipe @ 1125 GPM

= 7 x 0.537 /100
= 0.037 psi / ft.
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
2. Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 750 GPM :
We need to interpolate to find values @ 1125 GPM

y = 1.28 + (1125 - 1000) * (1.94 – 1.28) / (1250 - 1000)

y = 1.20 + 125 * 0.0112
y = 1.42

So, pressure loss per foot of pipe @ 1125 GPM

= 1 x 0.714 /100
= 0.010 psi/ft.
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
2. Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 750 GPM (This is
towards the end of the fire)

= (40 − 10.8 − (0.037 psi/ft × 277.8 ft) − (0.010 psi/ft × 33.3 ft) – 7
= 11.58 psi (Found to be positive. Hence, acceptable)
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
3. Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 1000 GPM pump :

The maximum flow for the pump rated at 1000 GPM is 1500 gpm (1000
× 1.5 = 1500)
The elevation pressure loss due to the 25 ft change in elevation
= 25 x 0.433 =10.8 psi
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
Calculate Friction Loss per foot of pipe for UG and AG

From table for UG = 11 x 0.537 /100

= 0.059 psi/ft

From table for UG = 2.71 x 0.7144 /100

= 0.0193 psi / ft
Step 02: Calculate Suction Pressure @ no. of
Conditions
3. Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 1000 GPM :

= 23 − 10.8 − (0.059 psi/ft × 277.8 ft) − (0.019 psi/ft × 33.3 ft) – 7

= -11.2 psi
Step 03: Calculate the discharge pressure of
the pump at demand flow
First Choice is 750 GPM @ 175 psi and examine if it works

Net Pressure at demand flow = 167 psi ( from Manufacturer Curve)

Discharge pressure at the demand flow = 167+ Suction pressure at the
demand flow
= 167 + 21.1
= 188.1 psi
Discharge Pressure exceeds demand pressure hence okay to proceed
for next step
Step 04: Check the maximum pressure
discharge pressure developed by pump
Max. Churn pressure of 750 GPM pump = 190 psi ( from Manufacturer Curve)
High discharge pressure = 190 + High suction pressure at the suction condition

= 190 + 84.2 = 274.2 psi

While this is more than 175 psi and will require pressure-reducing valves at the
hose connections. Since the high static pressure is less than 350 psi, it should be
possible to meet all of the high and low-pressure requirements of NFPA 14.
Check the pressure rating of components against calculated high discharge
pressure
Step 04: Check the maximum pressure
discharge pressure developed by pump
Max. Churn pressure of 750 GPM pump = 190 psi ( from Manufacturer Curve)
High discharge pressure = 190 + High suction pressure at the suction condition

= 190 + 84.2 = 274.2 psi

While this is more than 175 psi and will require pressure-reducing valves at the
hose connections. Since the high static pressure is less than 350 psi, it should be
possible to meet all of the high and low-pressure requirements of NFPA 14.
Check the pressure rating of components against calculated high discharge
pressure
CONCLUSION FOR 750 GPM
Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 750 GPM :

= (40 − 10.8 − (0.037 psi/ft × 277.8 ft) − (0.010 psi/ft × 33.3 ft) – 7
= 11.58 psi (Found to be positive. Hence, acceptable)

The pump rated at 750 GPM will work for the standpipe system. All of the
requirements of NFPA 14 and NFPA 20 can be met
Step 03: Calculate the discharge pressure of
the pump at demand flow
The second choice is 1000 GPM @ 175 psi and examine if it works

Net Pressure at demand flow = 175 psi ( from Manufacturer Curve)

Discharge pressure at the demand flow = 175+ Suction pressure at the
demand flow
= 175 + 21.1
= 196.1 psi
Discharge Pressure exceeds demand pressure hence okay to proceed
for next step
Step 04: Check the maximum pressure
discharge pressure developed by pump
Max. Churn pressure of 1000 GPM pump = 220 psi ( from Manufacturer Curve)
High discharge pressure = 220 + High suction pressure at the suction condition

= 220 + 84.2 = 304.2 psi

While this is more than 175 psi and will require pressure-reducing valves at the
hose connections. Since the high static pressure is less than 350 psi, it should be
possible to meet all of the high and low-pressure requirements of NFPA 14.
Check the pressure rating of components against calculated high discharge
pressure
Step 04: Check the maximum pressure
discharge pressure developed by pump
Max. Churn pressure of 750 GPM pump = 190 psi ( from Manufacturer Curve)
High discharge pressure = 190 + High suction pressure at the suction condition

= 190 + 84.2 = 274.2 psi

While this is more than 175 psi and will require pressure-reducing valves at the
hose connections. Since the high static pressure is less than 350 psi, it should be
possible to meet all of the high and low-pressure requirements of NFPA 14.
Check the pressure rating of components against calculated high discharge
pressure
CONCLUSION FOR 750 GPM
Suction pressure at the Maximum flow demand of 1000 GPM :

= 23 − 10.8 − (0.059 psi/ft × 277.8 ft) − (0.019 psi/ft × 33.3 ft) – 7

• = -11.2 psi (This is a negative pressure, which is generally not acceptable. NFPA 20
does contain an allowance for a pump to be used in situations where the water
supply cannot provide 150 % of rated flow at a positive gauge pressure (see
sections 4.15.3.1 and 4.6.2.3.1) as long as the demand flow of the system can be
provided. This pump falls into that category, and could be used with some
additional provisions such as a sign in the pump room warning people what the
maximum flow of the pump is)
Final Conclusion
• Both pumps produce more than the demand pressure at the demand flow.
But there are a number of items that point to the 750 gpm pump being the
better choice for this situation.
• The maximum pressure produced by the 750 GPM pump is lower than 300
psi while the maximum pressure produced by the 1000 GPM pump is
greater than 300 psi. There are many methods of joining steel pipe (which
is probably what the standpipe system pipe will be) that are rated for 300
psi without additional cost. Once the pressure rating exceeds 300 psi, extra
heavy pattern fittings are required, which is the case with the 1000 GPM
pump
• The suction pressure with the pump rated at 750 gpm is an acceptable
pressure while the suction pressure with the pump rated at 1000 gpm is a
concern(because its negative)
THANK YOU