FIRE FLOW IN MULTI-FACILITY SITE AND FIRE PUMP SELECTION

[Adnan86]

I am working on a project, the site involves many facilities which includes some Administration buildings, workshops, warehouse, etc. Only warehouse building is required to have sprinkler system as per IBC as it comes under group S1. Other buildings are non sprinklered. The Hydraulically calculated demand for warehouse building is 300gpm with 4 bar pressure. Now I have to calculate the Fire flow for the entire site and need to design and locate the fire hydrants. Can I use IFC Appendix B to check for the appropriate Fire flow for hydrants. As only 1 building is sprinklered, what will be the selection criteria for fire flow. Do I have to reduce the fire flow by 75% or there is something else to be done. My second question is Once I decide the fire flow (1500 gpm from IFC Appendix B, considering the minimum fire flow), How do I select the fire pump? because the available pressure on site is only 2.2 Bar. I am selecting a Fire pump to provide 1500 gpm with 4 bar pressure. Please help.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Your site fire flow would be calculated based on the largest building on the site with the most combustible construction. If you don't know the construction type, use Type V-B. The fact that one building is sprinklered does not mean you get to take the 75% fire flow reduction for the buildings that are not protected by automatic sprinklers.

 

[TravisMack]

Typically, the site flow determines the capacity of the pump, whereas the sprinkler system determines the pressure rating of the pump. Again, this is just a general assumption.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com