Elite Software

Fire Hydraulic Calculation Program

Prepared by: Eng\Osama Hafez

May/2012
Email: fire_plumbingcourses@yahoo.com
 Content
Introduction
Explanation of Elite Fire program
Questions & answers
Fire pump Selection
 Introduction
•The ELITE FIRE program performs all necessary hydraulic calculations as required by
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 13). FIRE can handle all types of
sprinkler systems (trees, gridsand allows up to 1000 sprinklers and pipes. The program
can automatically calculate pipe diameters, find the most hydraulically demanding
area (automatic peaking), perform standpipe calculations, and make quick estimations
on sprinkler head requirements.

Codes used:
NFPA 13,14 ,20
Units :
 Now Please click on
New
This is the
open project
button

This is the new

project button When opening Elite
this is the first window
you see
 This is the important tab
The System Data Tab

These are tab for entering

Project ,Client ,Company and Building
Data
In Rack Sprinkler Allow (GPM): This input records the water flow
allowance reserved for in-rack sprinklers where required by
NFPA. If you must consider an in-rack sprinkler allowance, be
sure to enter the GPM flow both here and at the non-sprinkler
.node where the fixed discharge is to occur
0= ‫عادة تكون قيمته‬
‫النه يستخدم في الماخزن الكبرى بين األرف‬
‫و يستخدمه سكان المبنى‪-1,‬وهو كمية التصرف المطلوب للخرطوم ال ‪ 1‬او ½‪ 1‬بوصة‬
‫‪Class 2 of standpipe system‬‬
‫وهو كمية التصرف المطلوب للخرطوم ال ½ ‪2‬بوصة‪,1-‬‬
‫و يستخدمه الدفاع المدني النه يحتاج لكمية مياه اكبر للتصدي للحريق‬
‫½ ب ‪ 100‬جالون‪/‬دقيقة ‪1‬وعادة ندخل الخرطوم ال‬
‫والخرطوم ال ‪ 2.5‬ب ‪ 250‬جالون ‪/‬دقيقة‬
NFPA 13 Data

Fire Hose Cabinet

This cabinet contains 1” fire hose reel and (FDV) fire
department valve connection and it’s hose and nozzle
Pipe material used in system : number 4 which is the default-1
.uses Schedule 40 Black Steel
Default K-Factor: The K-Factor is a proportionality constant -2
relating the water flow rate with the residual pressure
K-Factor tablesٍٍSprinkler
‫المعلومات التالية تخص ماركة الرشاش ودرجة الحرارة التي ينكسر عندها و حجمه‬
‫وكذلك معلومات عن العمالة و سعر ساعة العمال و هذا ال يتم إدخاله عادة‬

‫توضح هذه الخانة النظام األساسي المستخدم في األطفاء‬

‫الرشاشات ام الصناديق‬
Temperature ClassificationٍٍSprinklers
Hazard Type of the Area of Design

DENSITY/AREA CURVE ‫هذه المعلومة من‬

Define if system is Wet (uses water-2

compressed in pipes) or Dry( uses
air compressed in pipes then after air
in gone water comes used in areas
.were freezing take place)
Classification of Hazard
Hazard Classification Example

Check the rest on NFPA 13 Appendix

Area of sprinkler :The area of sprinkler operation is the minimum local area-1
which must be protected by the sprinklers designated as active (flowing) in the
.calculations
Max Area per sprinkler :This input is the maximum area in square feet that is -2
allowed to be covered by any sprinkler in a particular application. Check next
.slides to understand more
Calc Demand Press (psi): After calculations have been performed, the
program will put the total system demand pressure in this field. This
.information will get printed on the General Project Data report

Calc Demand Flow Rate (GPM): After calculations have been performed, the
program will put the total system demand flow in this field. This information will
.get printed on the General Project Data report
 Hydrant test data
And this is the info at Two flow values can be selected here,
each one corresponding to a set of 3 test data values below
it (test flow rate, static pressure and residual pressure). The
first set of test data is without an exterior hose flow reducing
supply, while by default the second set of test data is not
.entered, and all values are 0
0 ‫والن النظام لم يتم عمل تجربة له بعد ال ندخل هذه القيم و نتركها ب‬
Click on the Enter/Edit pipe data
.Add Pipe: This button will add a blank pipe section to the end of the existing pipe sections -1
.Delete Pipe: This button will delete the current pipe section from the existing pipe sections -2
.Sort Pipe: This button will sort the pipe sections and is useful in organizing the pipe information -3
Clear Pipe: This button will erase all the pipe data entered into this window. You will be asked to -4
.confirm this deletion
Mark Inflow Node: This button will mark the current pipe section as the inflow node. This will -5
.place a blue arrow () to the left of the pipe section as well
.Unmark Inflow Node: This button will unmark the inflow node -6
CPLD: This button will open a window where you can edit the names and abbreviations used to -7
represent material type A, the Alternate CPLD (Constant Pressure Loss Device). The default name
.for this device is Alarm Check Valve. Not used because we use standard items
 1
2

.Beg: This field represents the beginning node of the pipe section
.End: This field represents the ending node of the pipe section
Because each pipe have beg. & End
But please enter pipes as small numbers and sprinklers as big number
..…,like 100,101

.
 Diameter: This field shows the diameter of the pipe in the section. -1
It can be selected from the existing valid pipe sizes or can be entered
. .as zero to be auto sized
Length: This field represents the length in feet of the pipe without -2
.considering any fittings

.Mat: This field represents the pipe material's reference number -1

.represent schedule 40 black steel that is why it is selected 4
Loss: This filed is lift empty -2

.
 Sprk Elev: This field represents the elevation of the node with
respect to the zero elevation line in feet. The Zero Elevation Line
is usually located at the point of demand/supply that is usually the
system inflow node. Sprk Elev: This field represents the elevation
of the node with respect to the zero elevation line in feet. The
Zero Elevation Line is usually located at the point of
.demand/supply that is usually the system inflow node

These fields represent the K-Factor for the pipe section. If-1
you have a sprinkler node this number shall be 5.6 or what
ever is the sprinkler k-factor and if it was a pipe it shall equal
0
.Or you could use D for sprinkler or I for pipe

.
Press Est: This field represents the nodal pressure estimate.
Although FIRE can generate its own pressure estimates,
computations can be performed faster if you input good
.residual pressure estimates for each node

Sprk Elev: This field represents the elevation of the node with
respect to the zero elevation line in feet. The Zero Elevation Line
is usually located at the point of demand/supply that is usually the
system inflow node. Sprk Elev: This field represents the elevation
of the node with respect to the zero elevation line in feet. The
Zero Elevation Line is usually located at the point of
.demand/supply that is usually the system inflow node
This field represents the area of coverage provided by the -1
sprinkler located at this node, assuming that there is a
.sprinkler at this node
Area Grp: This field represents a sprinkler grouping -2
reference letter. The area group is a way to group sprinklers
together that cover the same area. You may, for example,
put all sprinklers that cover office 1 in area group 'A', and the
sprinklers that cover office 2 in area group 'B'. When you
choose "Use Automatic Peaking Calculations" from the
Calculation window, FIRE will automatically calculate which
.area group has the worst HMD node
NSprk Flow: This field is only used to specify a fixed discharge
rate for a hose stream or an in-rack sprinkler allowance. When
inside hose stations are planned or are required by other
standards, a water allowance of 50 GPM for one hose station or
100 GPM for two or more hose stations should be applied at the
point of connection to the system. If more than one hose station is
needed in the design, add 50 GPM to the two hose streams most
remote to the sprinkler system but we usually take it 250 gpm for
.2.5” hose
Std Fit: This field represents the number of fittings associated
with the pipe. Simply enter the number of fittings followed by
the letter designating that fitting. For example, "3E" would
.designate 3 - 90 degree elbows
F - 45 Degree Elbow
E - 90 Degree Elbow
L - Long Turn Elbow
T - Tee or Cross
B - Butterfly Valve
G - Gate Valve
C - Check Valve
NStd: This field represents an equivalent length for non-
.standard fittings. Not used because we use standard fitting

Eq Len: This field is output only and prints the total equivalent
.length of the pipe and all the fittings that are included on the pipe
P Type: This field represents the pipe type group reference
number. Pipe type groups are used if you are going to have FIRE
automatically size your pipes. You can group pipes together so
that during auto sizing, pipes of the same pipe type group will all
.have the same diameter
Global Editor:used to Edit and create your own pipe reference not
.used because we use standard fitting
Tree and grid builder shall not be used due to because they do not
.show UP and DN
Demand This design mode calculates the minimum total system demand pressure and
demand flow that will satisfy the minimum residual pressure requirement for the HMD
.(hydraulically most demanding )sprinkler
it can greatly speed up the calculations the program performs by checking the Use Residual
.Pressure Estimates in the Options frame described below
The minimum residual pressure is the lowest acceptable pressure allowed the hydraulically
most demanding (HMD) (hydraulically most demanding )sprinkler node. Note that NFPA 13
does not allow any HMD sprinkler residual pressures to be less than 7 psi
Min residual pressure we get it for density/area method
Here appears the number of inflow node we determined in pipe data
tab

This design mode uses known pressures of each of the inflow

nodes to calculate the resultant flow conditions in the piping
network. The inflow node number (s) and residual pressures are
specified on this window. The program will calculate all other
pressures based on the inflow pressure
Use Automatic Peaking Calculations: The automatic peaking means that FIRE will calculate -1
which area group has the HMD node that is of course if you have area groups . This item is only
.valid in Demand Mode calculations
Area group ‫وعاده ال نختاره الننا ال نستخدم‬
Use Residual Pressure Estimates: If you enter a check mark here, then the program will use the -2
calculated nodal residual pressures which are shown on the Solution tab as a starting point for the
calculations. This will sometimes increase the speed of the calculations, but it is usually not
necessary. Note that if this checkbox is used, a problem occurs when the system has been
greatly changed. For example, if the node heights have been changed. In situations like this,
using the existing residual pressures can cause the calculated results to oscillate or diverge, and
in any case, take much longer than normal. So, if you have greatly changed the pipe network
(especially a change involving all the node heights), you should not place a check mark here to
ignore the already calculated residual pressures and the program will use zeros as the
.programs starting point
‫البرنامج يعيد الحسابات بناءا على النتائج الخارجة من اول حسابات والن الفرق بين الحسابات عادة يكون صغير جدا لو حدث تغير‬
‫كبيرفي النظام هذا األختيار قد يخرب الحسابات‬
. The following is used after calc. is done for first time
:Imbalance
The perfect solution of a fire sprinkler system would show a zero nodal pressure imbalance for all
nodes. For practical reasons this is virtually impossible to attain. If fact, NFPA 13 only requires that the
pressures at the hydraulic junction points balance within 0.5 psi for girded systems. For non-girded
systems NFPA 13 is not specific, but FIRE suggests that the 0.5 psi nodal pressure imbalance not be
exceeded for any type of piping system layout. Furthermore, the pressure imbalance for smaller
systems should be less than 0.5 psi to insure good accuracy. FIRE allows you to specify an allowable
imbalance ranging from 0.0000001 to 1.00 psi. Keep in mind that the lower the specified allowable
.pressure imbalance, the longer the calculations will take
Important: After running calculations, check the imbalances on the second to the last page of the
printouts, the Fire Sprinkler Output Summary page. Make sure that all pressure and flow imbalances
are sufficiently low, preferably below 0.01. If not, you should run the calculations again with a smaller
.imbalance selected here
Converge to 0.01 flow imbalance: Checking this checkbox this ensures the condition made in the above
.note, that all imbalances are 0.01 or smaller

Maximum Nodal Pressure (psi): This field is used to enter the maximum nodal pressure in psi for the
.imbalance restrictions
Average Nodal Pressure (psi): This field is used to enter the average nodal pressure in psi for the
.imbalance restrictions
:Oscillation Damping Factor
The oscillation damping factor (from 1 to 99) is a parameter FIRE uses to control the nodal pressure
adjustments it makes in attempting to find a solution. Small damping factors (1 - 4) allow FIRE to make
relatively large pressure adjustments per iteration so that a solution can more quickly be obtained;
however, the problem with using small damping factors is that FIRE can sometimes overadjust nodal
pressures such that a divergent situation arises. If a divergent situation occurs, FIRE will print a
message indicating the situation. If this ever happens, increase the damping factor and run the
calculation again. If divergence still persists, some changes in the piping system may be required. For
.example, missing or grossly oversized pipes will cause wild oscillations in the calculations

Initial Damping Factor: This field is used to enter the initial damping factor. In general, all systems
.should be started with a damping factor of 4 or greater

Minimum Damping Factor: This field is used to enter the minimum damping factor. Most normal pipe
network systems should have minimum damping factors of 1 or 2. If a pipe changes abruptly in size at
one point or the solution is oscillating and not converging, you should use a minimum damping factor of
3 to 8. The minimum damping factor must be either equal to or less than the initial damping factor
.specified
Maximum Allowable Water Velocity: This field is used to enter the maximum water velocity, in ft/sec -1
.by default, that you will allow to flow through the pipe sections that you want FIRE to autosize
Maximum Allowable Frictional Loss Per 100' Of Pipe: This field is used to enter the maximum -2
.frictional loss per 100' of pipe, in psi by default
Total number of pipe in your network -1
Total number of sprinkler you entered -2
of (should we say pipe with K-factor not
equal 0.(check 1)
HMD:Hydrulically most demanding-3
. sprinkler node number
residual pressure at HMD node as we-4
stated earlier the min is 7 psi and
maximum 175 but typically it will range
between (7-20) psi. (check 2)
Actual flow at HMD Node: ranges-5
depending on K-factor. (check 3)
Max flow velocity and the pipe which it -1
is high choose higher pipe size .(check
4)
Total Sprinkler flow for all sprinklers. -2
(check 5)
Total non Sprinkler flow for all Hoses-3
or hydrants. (check 6)
Note: 1 m3/hr = 4.4 gpm
Residual pressure at inflow node (Fire-4
pump) in Psi. (check 7)
Total Demand flow for the system at -5
inflow node (Fire Pump) (check 8)
Those 2 out puts are fire pump flow
. and head
 Questions & answers
Q.1.I can't get the FIRE to give me a solution for the system.
Solution:
There are several things to help with this problem.
First, BE SURE YOUR DATA IS ENTERED CORRECTLY.
Check for abrupt changes in pipe diameter. For example, see that you don't have a 10" main feeding a 1" branch line. Also, try
to avoid combinations of extremely long and short pipe sections.
Run the calculations in supply mode first, keep the residual pressures, and re-run the calculations in demand mode with "Use
Residual Pressure Estimates" checked. You can run the calculations in supply mode by setting a residual pressure at the
inflow node on the Enter/Edit Pipe Data screen. Choose Supply under the Mode heading on the Calculation tab of
Calculation screen.
Set the maximum nodal pressure imbalance higher than your target value and run the calculations. When a solution is reached,
set the maximum nodal pressure imbalance to your target value, choose to use the residual pressures, and run the
calculations again.

Q.2.Why are my pipe sizes calculated by Auto sizing so large?

Solution
Keep in mind that both HMD pressure and density could be driving the solution. Read the above question on this matter and set
the minimum required density to zero if you want a totally HMD pressure driven solution. Also, take at look at your pipe
sizing tab of Calculation screen. Set the Maximum Allowable Water Velocity in the 20 ft/s range. This is a good range
for deciding when the pipes are too small. Set the Maximum Allowable Frictional Loss Per 100' of Pipe to 999. This will
effectively remove this pipe enlargement sizing constraint.

Use Auto sizing as a tool, not an absolute. Some “feel” for the system will be needed to use good judgment in pipe sizing.
 Questions & Answers
Q.3.General Questions...What is the difference between the area of operation and the maximum sprinkler area?
Solution
The first is the Maximum Area Per Sprinkler on the GPD screen. This value provides the default area for any sprinklers whose
area is not explicitly specified on the Enter/Edit Pipe Data screen. This area is used to calculate the under-sprinkler density
by dividing the sprinkler's flow by the area it covers.
The next area is the Area of Sprinkler Operation on the GPD screen. Note that this doesn't necessarily mean the total building
area. This area is simply the area for which you are trying to cover. In most cases this will be the 1500 or 2500 sq. ft.
around the HMD node. Consult NFPA 13 and/or your AHJ for more information on your required area of coverage. This
area will be used for two purposes. The total sprinkler flow will be divided by this area to produce an "average" density.
Also, this area will be divided by the number of active sprinklers to give an average area per sprinkler. Both of these values
will print on the Overall Network Summary.
 Selecting the pump
Go to Fire pump catalouges and select fire pump based on the Head and flow you Got
Please note that fire pumps have standard capacity

Also you have to know that fire pump have operating range from :
@ shut off head or no flow condition pressure will not be higher than 140% of pump
rated pressure .
@ 100% of flow pump will give 100% of rated pressure .
@maximum operating point 150% of pump rated flow it will give 65% of rated
pressure.
So the operating the pump is 90%-140% of rated flow taken pressure in consideration
and by that I mean check that will pump give min operating pressure at maximum
flow.

What happens if system pressure exceeds 175 Psi , a PRV( pressure reducing valve is
used before the fire control zone.
 Fire pump
• NFPA 20 made fire pump flow fixed for strandirization and easy comparing pumps:
Thank you see you next time