Chapter III

Fire Ground Formulas

FIREGROUND FORMULAS

CHAPTER 3 The science of hydraulic engineering requires the application of theoretical and highly precise mathematical formulas. Principles and theories can generally be expressed as numerical equations, and these used to make determinations of unknowns. Naturally, the securing of absolutely correct answers to problems is an integral part of such a science. The task of supplying water for any operation on the fireground does not demand such exactitude. In the interest of speed and ease it is highly desirable to apply less complicated formulas and practical rules. In order to create such formulas, it becomes necessary to "round off" numbers so that they may be easily memorized. However, when this manipulation is made, the accuracy of the formula is reduced, and the resultant becomes more of an approximation than a calculation, and such is accepted by the fire service as a means to accomplish a goal. Rules can be established to serve as guide lines in particular operations, and if they have their foundation built on hydraulic fact, can be generalized to suit a number of applications. The D.C. Fire and EMS Department has instituted a set of formulas and rules for its fireground operations, and they are found within this chapter. Although not precise, the directives and allowances set forth are sufficiently accurate to provide effective firefighting streams. Although the deliveries obtained by the use of the following formula will vary to some extent, it is sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. It shall be used on the fireground in calculating the engine pressure. E.P. = N.P. plus F.L. plus or minus E Where, E.P. Is the engine pressure in pounds per square inch. N.P. F.L. Is the nozzle pressure for the appliance used. Is the total friction loss allowance in the hose line or lines supplying the appliance or assembly plus any allowance for friction loss in the appliance, assembly, or standpipe. If the elevation allowance due to the location of the nozzle in relation to the pump.

E.

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The nozzle pressure for the appliance used shall be selected from the "Nozzle Pressure and Friction loss charts". The friction loss in hose will vary with the amount of water flowing through the line and with the size of hose. A different friction loss for each size hose, even when delivering the same amount of water, is also necessary. The "Nozzle Pressure and Friction Loss Charts" that follow, give the friction loss for all the deliveries likely to be encountered on the fireground. These charts are separated according to the size of hose. When calculating the friction loss, the friction loss per 100 feet which applies is selected from these charts. Then the length of the line being used is divided by 100 to give the number of 100 foot lengths of hose. This is multiplied by the amount of friction loss selected from the chart. The total friction loss for the supply line or lines is then known. The allowance for friction loss in the appliance, assembly, or standpipe is taken from the "Friction Loss Allowance Chart". The sum of these two figures gives the total friction loss to be used in the formula for Engine Pressure. The elevation shall be added or subtracted, depending upon the position of the nozzle. One half pound shall be added for each foot of elevation that the nozzle is above the level of the pump. One half pound shall be deducted for each foot that the nozzle is below the level of the pump. Five pounds shall be added/subtracted for each story above/below the level of the pump. When calculating elevation for the ladder pipe, the extension of the ladder shall be used as the basis for calculation. (The error will be relatively small). When a pumper is relaying water to another pumper, there is no nozzle or tip in the line between them for which a nozzle pressure is needed. However, it is desired that the water arrive at the next pumper in line with sufficient pressure to allow efficient operation. It has been determined that when there are more than two pumpers in line, an allowance of 20 pounds for this intake pressure is suitable. Therefore, pump operators in a relayed lire of more than two pumpers, with the exception of the operator of the pump nearest the fire, shall calculate their pump pressure using the relay formula of: . E.P. = 20 plus F.L. plus or minus E. Where, E.P. 20 psi F.L.

Is the engine pressure in pounds per square inch. Is the allowance for the pressure at the intake of the next pumper in line. Is the total friction loss allowance in the hose line or lines between the pump under consideration and the next one in line. Is the elevation allowance due to the elevation differential between the pump under consideration and the next one in 1ine. III-2

E.

MAXIMUM LAYOUT Maximum layout is the distance that the pump can supply the proper pressure and gallonage for efficient operation. When considering pressure, calculate the friction loss for GPMs required without exceeding the supply hoses ability to contain the pressure, ( hose is tested at 200 psi) . Also consider when suppling water the pumps capacity, (1250 OR 1500 GPM) the pump is most efficient at capacity with 150 psi discharge. From the above two statements the following items shall be considered when working with layouts; GPM, PUMP DISCHARGE PRESSURE. AND DISTANCE OF LAYOUT. An example of such a situation would be a 1250 gpm wagon laying 800' of dual 3" lines suppling 800 gallons to the next wagon. Using the relay formula we find the following: F.L. = split the water through both lines: 800 divided by 2 = 400 400 gallons through one 3" line per 100" = 16 psi 16 psi times 8 (800' lines) = 128 psi 128 + 20 = 148 psi E.P. = 148 psi (plus or minus elevation) With this problem we find that the pump can supply the lay out without exceeding the rated supply hose pressure and the pumps capacity. If the gpm's or length of the layout were different we would have passed the point to where the pump could operate efficiently and safely. To meet or exceed the pump capacity or the hoses pressure on layouts consider adding another supply line or increasing the size of the supply lines until the friction loss calculation is in the proper range of the pump. The following chart gives examples of fire ground calculated maximum lay outs when pumping the capacity of the pump. 1250 GPM 1500 GPM 350 FT 250 FT 800 FT 600 FT

DUAL 3" LINES 3" / 4" LINES

The TWO PUMP OPERATION is written so that a pressure of 125 pounds is used by the pumper at the source of supply (150 pounds when supplying the hydrant valve), unless conditions are present which would cause a change (refer to relaying water in the fire ground operations section). A TWO PUMP OPERATION with a long layout or a large flow of water will require the use of the relay formula when calculating the engine pressure for the pump at the source of supply. III-3

When calculating the engine pressure to supply two lines from a wye or gated wye the flow in the single hose line to the wye, or gated wye, and the pressure required for only one line from the wye, or gated wye, are used as a basis of calculation. If the lines from the wye or gated wye require different pressures, the line requiring the higher pressure is used. When calculating the engine pressure for siamese or trimese lines of unequal length and same size, the average length is used as a basis for calculation. When calculating the engine pressure for siamese or trimese lines of unequal length and unequal size you will have a percentage delivered through each line based on the cross sectional area. An example is dual supply lines consisting of one 3" and one 4" which will naturally deliver more water through: the 4" line. For fire ground calculation you can say that 30% of the water being supplied s delivered through the 3" line and 70% of the water is being delivered through the 4 " 1ine. Example: A pumper is flowing 1,000 gallons through dual lines consisting of 800' of 3"and 800' of 4". Friction loss per 100' 8 psi 10 psi

Gallons delivered per line 3" line = 300 gal. 4" line = 700 gal.

From the above you will use 10 psi per 100 ft. of supply line plus 20 psi for the intake pressure at the next engine. E.P. = 20 + (8 x 10) E.P. = 100 psi E.

The maximum operating engine pressure shall be 300 PSI and layouts shall be controlled so that no pumper will be required to operate above this pressure. Where two or more pumping apparatus are supplying water to a heavy duty device or relaying water, each pumper shall deliver a proportional share of water based on the number of lines each pumper is supplying. (i.e. If three lines of equal diameter are supplying water to a device and one pumper is supplying one line then 1/3 of the water is being supplied by this pumper and the other 2/3 is being supplied by the other pumper).

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FORMAT FOR CALCULATING ENGINE PRESSURE FORMULA: E.P. = N.P. + F.L. E.

E.P.= Engine pressure in psi N.P.= Nozzle pressure in psi for the appliance being used F.L.= Friction loss in psi in 3/4 , 11/2 , 1 3/4 or 2 1/2" hose F.L.= Friction loss in psi in the 3" and/or 4" hose E. = Elevation allowance in psi due to the location of the nozzle in relation to the pump Example: An 1 " line on the fifth floor working from the standpipe through 200' of 1 "hose. The wagon is pumping on the standpipe through 300' of 2 " hose. Solution: N.P. = F.L. = 200 divided by 100 equals 2 2 times 30 psi equals F.L. = 300 divided by 100 equals 3 3 times 5 psi equals F.L.A.= Standpipe connection E. E.P. = 4 times 5 psi equals = p.s.i. 100

60

15 25 20 220 psi

Example: A 350' of 1 " line working on the 4th floor, and a 200' of 1 " line working on the 2nd floor. Solution: N.P.= F.L.= 350 divided by 100 equals 3.5 3.5 times 30 equals (longest line) E = 3 times 5 psi equals 220 psi III-5 p.s.i. 100

105 15

E.P. =

Example: A 200' of 1 1/2" line working in a basement. (one level below the pump) Solution: N.P.= F.L .= 200 divided by 100 equals 2 2 times.30 equals E. = 1 times 5 psi equals p.s.i. 100

60 -5 155

E.P.=

Note: When totaling friction loss always round off to the higher number.

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FRICTION LOSS CHART Friction loss per 100' Number and size of lines. G. P. M. UP TO 125 >125/215 250/275 275/325 325/350 350/375 375/425 425/450 450/475 475/500 500/550 550/600 600/650 650/700 700/750 750/800 800/900 900/1000 1000/1100 1200/1300 1300/1400 1400/1500 1500/1600 1600/1700 1700/1800 1900/2000 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55

D.C.F.D.

2-1/2" HOSE 2

3" HOSE 1 2 3

3-1/2" HOSE 1

4" HOSE 1

1-3" 1-4"

5 7 10 12 14 9 10 11 12 15 18 22 25 28 18 20 22 25 30 36 42 49 56 64 81 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 20 25 30 42 49 56 64 72 81 5 6 7 9 10 13 18 21 25 28 32 36 44 III-7 5 6 7 8 8 10 12 14 16 19 22 27 34 41 5 6 7 9 10 11 16 19 21 5 6 7 8 10 11 13 16 20 24 34 39 45 51 58 64 80 6 8 10 11 13 16 16 20 5 7 9 10 13 20 20 24 26 28 32 40

NOZZLE PRESSURE CHART Friction per 100 ft. in psis APPLIANCE SMALL LINE (3/4"NOZZLE) 1-1/2" FOG NOZZLE (CVFSS) 1-1/2 cut off w/ 7/8 smoothbore 1-1/2 cut off w/ 15/16 smoothbore 1-1/2" REVOLVING DIST. NOZZLE 2-1/12 FOG NOZZLE (CVFSS) LOW VELOCITY FOG APPLICATOR EDUCTOR (FOAM POSITION) 1" TIP (SMOOTH BORE) 1-1/8" TIP 1-1/4" TIP LUCUS VALVE (AMMONIA FLUSH) PERI-JET PERIPHERAL JET SYPHON 2-1/2" REVOLVING DIST. NOZZLE IMPERIAL 500 (CVFSS) 1-3/8' TIP (SMOOTH BORE) 1-1/2" TIP 1-5/8" TIP 1-3/4' TIP 2' TIP JN-200 FOG NOZZLE (30 DEG.) JN-200 FOG NOZZLE (90 DEG.) NOZZLE PRESSURE 100 psi 75 psi 50 psi 50 psi 100 psi 75 psi 100 psi 200 psi 50 psi 50 psi 50 psi 50 psi 120 psi 120 psi 100 psi 100 psi 80 psi 80 psi 80 psi 80 psi 80 psi 80 psi 80 psi GPM 13 125 160 180 115 250 115 95 210 265 325 200 200 420 425 500 500 600 700 800 1000 600 1000 III-8 30 3/4" 1-1/2" LINE LINE 30 40 60 75 30 12 3 5 10 15 22 10 10 40 40 2-I/2" LINE

FRICTION LOSS CHART (CONT) CELLAR PIPE LADDER PIPE ASSEMBLY (SIAMESE, 10OFT 3" HOSE, LADDER, PIPE STANDPIPE MONITOR NOZZLE OR WAGON PIPE Pre piped Ladder Pipe (Seagrave) E.P. FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS E.P. FOR SPRINKLER/STANDPIPE HEAVY DUTY FOG JN-200 FOG NOZZLE When calculating the engine pressure necessary to supply the JN-200, consider the variable gallonage. With the red marks in line (30 degrees), delivery and formula are the same as 1-1/2"tip. With maximum opening (90 degrees), delivery and formula are the same as 2" tip. Other settings require intermediate tip equivalencies. NOTE: when supplying the wagon pipe through hose connected to either the siamese or its base, or a wagon pipe siamese provided on apparatus, use the engine pressure formula with nozzle pressure and friction loss allowance for tip being used plus friction loss allowance for wagon pipe. When supplying the wagon pipe through a piping system leading from the discharge of the pump, the pump pressure recommended by the Training Academy for each individual piece of apparatus shall be used. ENGINE PRESSURE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Use 125 psi engine pressure unless otherwise ordered. ENGINE PRESSURE FOR COMBINATION SPRINKLER/STANDPIPE SYSTEMS Use 175 psi engine pressure until notified that a higher pressure is needed. ENGINE PRESSURE FOR METRO STANDPIPE SYSTEMS When charging a Metro standpipe you shall consider the design of the system and which system is being supplied III-9 50 PSI 50 PSI 25 PSI 20 PSI 115 PSI 125 PSI 175 PSI

Particular attention shall be given when supplying a tunnel standpipe system due to the facts that they are equipped with an exhauster at the end of system to expel air in a faster manner. This added pressure is gained from-the drop in elevation which is why the exhausters are in place to help expel and to relieve the pressure created when filling a system so damage does not occur. The exhauster may take up to five minutes to fully expel the trapped air in the system as they are being filled with water, at which point the system is filled with water. The exhausters close due to the fact that the water has a greater pressure which closes the valve that allows the air to be expelled. The following steps shall be used as a guide line when charging a metro tunnel system: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Connect supply lines from hydrant to wagon and wagon to standpipe siamese. (two supply lines) Note static pressure from hydrant. Allow water to fill standpipe system with hydrant pressure only. When your gauges read the same pressure as the original static pressure the system is full. Using the friction loss formula calculate the proper Engine Pressure.

Elevation and length of systems run are available on a plate attached to the standpipe system riser at the connection to assist in calculating friction loss. Surface and aerial stations also have dry standpipe systems and should be filled with water in the same manor as noted above. Sub-Surface stations shall be supplemented by pumping apparatus with the consideration of the elevation that will be gained when calculating Engine Pressure. ENGINE PRESSURE FOR THE EDUCTOR To function properly in the foam position, the eductor requires a flow of at least 95 gpm. Playpipes which deliver less than 95 gpm cannot be used with the eductor in the "Foam" position. When the eductor is placed in service, the pressure at the eductor should be 200 psi and the length of line limited to 200 feet. When the eductor is being supplied by a 3" hose, friction loss in the supply line is determined by the gpm discharged by the 1-1/2"nozzle. In the "water" position, the friction loss in the eductor is negligible and shall be disregarded. Because of the high friction loss in the 1-1/2" discharge piping of some hose wagons, the engine pressure required for the preconnected eductor to function properly may be as high as 230 psi. When using 125 gpm nozzles with 95 gpm foam eductor the foam solution may have a proportion of foam other than 6%. Operators should be aware that this may cause more/less frequent changing of foam cans. Different manufactured foams may recommend various percentages in utilizing that specific foam. Review the specifications of the individual foam used for proper percentages and application for maximum effectiveness.

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