Question 1:

Sizing a duct to transport different types of gases. Will the duct flow chart (based on
air) and duct size be affected when carbon dioxide gas (as an example) is used
instead of air? Why?
(Question 2):
Sizing a duct to transport air at various temperatures.
Do the duct flow chart (based on air) and duct size depend on whether hot or cold air
is used? Why?
(Question 3):
Does the sizing of water pipes change with the water temperature (hot or cold)? i.e.
Will the pipe diameter be the same if water either at 7 C or 70C is used ? Discuss.
(Question 4):
As it is known, the circulating relief valve used in fire fighting system is located on the
discharge side of the pump. Is it used to relieve the access pressure in the pumping
system or to cool the pump when operating with no discharge? Discuss the answer.
(Question 5):
What is the minimum flow rate of mechanical ventilation for basements?

a) Based on NFPA
b) Based on ASHRAE
What is the minimum flow rate of mechanical ventilation for internal corridors?
c) Based on NFPA
d) Based on ASHRAE
(Question 4):

As it is known, the circulating relief valve used in fire- fighting system is located on
the discharge side of the pump. Is it used to relieve the access pressure in the
pumping system or to cool the pump when operating with no discharge? Discuss the
answer.
As a summary:

Based on NFPA 20 each Fire pump shall have an automatic circulating relief valve
listed for pump service . NFPA 20 section 5.11.1.3 dictate that the valve shall provide
flow of sufficient water to prevent the pump from overheating when operating with no
discharge. On the other hand the automatic circulating- relief valve shall have a
nominal size of 0.75 in. (19 mm) for pumps with a rated capacity not exceeding 2500
gpm (9462 L/min) and have a nominal size of 1 in. (25 mm) for pumps with a rated
capacity of 3000 gpm to 5000 gpm (11,355 L/min to 18,925 L/min). refer to NFPA 202010-section In 5.11.1.6. Both contribution presented by FadelNaamani & Eng.Ayash
are correct .

(Question 5):

What is the minimum flow rate of mechanical ventilation for basements parking?

a) Based on NFPA
b) Based on ASHRAE
What is the minimum flow rate of mechanical ventilation for internal corridors?

c) Based on NFPA
d) Based on ASHRAE
Both answer presented by eng. Khaled Yassinis acceptable.
From ASHRAE 2010 table 6-1 the number or air change for basement parking is taken
as 4-6 ACH * Whereas from NFPA it is 300 L/min/m2 which is about 9 ACH .
In the empty corridor ASHRAE 2010 table 6-1 shows 0.06 cfm/ft2. Whereas it is taken
as 6 ACH from firefighting code.

Summary of Episode (1) (Question 3) & (Question 2):

Does the sizing of water pipes change with the water temperature (hot or cold)? i.e.
Will the pipe diameter be the same if water either at 7 C or 70C is used ? Discuss.
Answer:
The hot water temperature at 70 C has a density of 977 kg/m3 whereas it is 999 kg/m3
(at 7C) , the dynamic viscosity is 0.000404 kg/m.s & 0.001429 kg/m.s (respectively ),
Reynolds number value for the hot water( 70 C) is higher than that of (7 C) by a value
of about 3.46 due to reduction in the dynamic viscosity & density (as mentioned by
Eng. Jammoul ). This lead to lower friction factor for higher temperature and less head
loss ,(for example refer to Moody diagram for same pipe diameter D=0.038m and
roughness e =4.5.x10-5 ).and (for V=1.5 m/s & d=0.038m) f becomes 0.0223 for high
temperature & 0.041 for lower temperature. This will result in smaller pipe diameter for
hot water pipe. But we size the pipe equally for hot and cold based on cold water
temperature i.e. larger pipe size which leads to low friction in the case of hot water ,
resulting in higher flow for hot water.
This may explain why the same pipes connected to the fan coil unit are used (for hot
and cold water) as mentioned by Eng. Ayash .
Refer to pipe flow chart closed system you can see that, for the same diameter
d=1.1/2 (within the velocity limit) the same pipe can deliver flow varies from 9 gpm till
27 gpm at various head loss..
Similar explanation can apply for hot & cold air duct (Question 2):