1. What is the Fire Sprinkler Flow Equation?

The Fire Sprinkler Flow equation calculates the flow rate from a sprinkler head based on the K-factor and pressure. It's fundamental for fire protection system design and analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Fire Sprinkler Flow equation:

Where:

• \( K \) — K-factor (constant specific to sprinkler head)
• \( P \) — Pressure (psi)
• \( Flow \) — Flow rate (gpm)

Explanation: The equation shows that flow is proportional to the square root of the pressure, with the K-factor determining the exact relationship.

3. Importance of Flow Calculation

Details: Accurate flow calculation is crucial for proper fire sprinkler system design, ensuring adequate water coverage in case of fire while maintaining proper pressure throughout the system.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the K-factor (found in sprinkler specifications) and the pressure in psi. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical K-factor for sprinkler heads?
A: Common K-factors range from 1.4 to 25.2, with 5.6 being standard for most residential and light hazard applications.

Q2: How does pressure affect flow?
A: Flow increases with the square root of pressure. Doubling pressure increases flow by about 41%.

Q3: What are typical flow rates for sprinklers?
A: Standard sprinklers typically flow 15-30 gpm, but this varies based on K-factor and pressure.

Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: The equation assumes water is the fluid and the orifice is unobstructed. It doesn't account for friction losses in piping.

Q5: How is this used in system design?
A: Engineers use this to ensure adequate flow at each sprinkler head while maintaining system pressure requirements.