FIRE FLOW REQUIREMENT

In accordance with NFPA 1, 2015 with an example calculation for the ISO
method

Mehboob Shaikh

M. Tech. | B. Eng. | AMIE | CFPS | CFI

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Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.1 – Scope

Its is used to calculate available fire department fire flow for fire-
fighting purposes and does not take into account fire suppression
systems or hose stream requirements required by some codes and
standards

It should not be confused with Sprinkler Demand of the system both are
different or simply its not the volume of water required for the sprinkler
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 Fire Flow Calculations
What…?
Why…?
As defined in IFC Section B102
“The flow rate of a water supply, measured at 20 pounds per square inch (psi) (138 kPa) residual pressure, that is available
for fire fighting”

Shouldn’t be confused with water needed for manual fire fighting(Hose streams) while the
sprinkler system is still in operation inside the building

Fire flow encompasses the water demand for the entire building on the fire solely for
EXTERIOR FIRE FIGHTING
Methods

It is based on water converted

to steam to replace oxygen.
ISO IIT
ISU
(Insurance Service Illinois Institute of Tech
(Iowa state University)
Office) Research Method
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ISO METHOD
NFF = (Ci)(Oi)[(1.0+(X+P)i]

Where,

• NFFi = the Needed Fire Flow in gallons per minute (gpm)

• Ci = a factor related to the type of construction
• Oi = a factor related to the type of occupancy
• X = a factor related to the exposure buildings
• P = a factor related to the communication between buildings

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ISO METHOD
▪ Step 1. Determine the predominant construction type and the associated factor (F).
▪ Step 2. Determine the effective area (Ai).
▪ Step 3. Substitute the values for "F" and "A" into the formula Ci=18F(Ai)^0.5 and calculate the construction
factor (Ci).
▪ Step 4. Round off the construction factor (Ci) to the nearest 250 gpm.
▪ Step 5. Determine the predominant occupancy type and the associated factor (Oi).
▪ Step 6. Determine if there is an exposure charge by identifying the construction type and length-height value
of the exposure building as well as the distance (in feet) to the exposure building. Also make note of any
openings and protection of those openings in the wall facing the subject building (the building the needed
fire flow is being calculated on). The factor related to the exposure building is (X).
▪ Step 7. Determine if there is a communication charge by identifying the combustibility of the passageway,
whether the passageway is open or closed, the length, and a description of any protection provided in the
passageway openings. The factor related to the communications between buildings is (P).
▪ Step 8. Substitute the values for the factors in the formula NFFi = (Ci)(Oi)[1.0+(X+P)i] to determine the
needed fire flow.

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Example-1 – Calculate NFF using ISO

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Solution-1 – Calculate NFF
1. CONSTRUCTION TYPE
Construction Class 1 (wood frame construction)
Construction type coefficient (F) = 1.5
Effective area (Ai) = 2,250
Ci = 18XF (Ai)^0.5
Ci = 18(1.5) (2,250)^0.5
Ci = 27 (47.43)
Ci = 1,280.72
Ci = 1,250 (rounded to the nearest 250 gpm)

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Solution-1 – Calculate NFF
2. OCCUPANCY TYPE
Contractor equipment storage
Occupancy combustibility class C-3 (Combustible)
Occupancy factor (Oi) = 1.00

3. EXPOSURES AND COMMUNICATIONS

None
Exposure and communication factor (X + P)i = 0.00

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Solution-1 – Calculate NFF
4. CALCULATION
NFFi = (Ci)(Oi)[1.0+(X+P)i]
NFFi = (1,250)(1.00)[1.0+(0.00)]
NFFi = (1,250)(1.00)(1.00)
NFFi = 1,250 gpm

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Example-2 – Calculate NFF using ISO

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Solution-2 – Calculate NFF
1. CONSTRUCTION TYPE
Construction Class 1 (wood-frame construction)
Construction type coefficient (F) = 1.5
Effective area (Ai) = 2,655 (ground floor + 50% second floor area)
Ci = 18F (Ai)^0.5
Ci = 18(1.5) (2,655)^0.5 largest floor Other floors
Ci = 27(51.53)
Ci = 1,391.31
Ci = 1,500 (rounded to the nearest 250 gpm)

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Solution-2 – Calculate NFF
2. OCCUPANCY TYPE
Cabinet making (occupies over 25% of the total floor of the building)
Occupancy combustibility class C-4 (free-burning)
Occupancy factor (Oi) = 1.15

3. EXPOSURES AND COMMUNICATIONS

Exposure charge for Building A = 0.14 From Exposure Factor Table
Exposure charge for Building B = 0.17
The building with the highest charge is Building B.
Exposure factor (Xi) = 0.17
Communication (Pi) charge = none
Exposure and communication factor (X + P)i = 0.17

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Solution-2 – Calculate NFF
4. CALCULATION
NFFi = (C)(O)[1.0+(X+P)]
NFFi = (1,500)(1.15)[1+(0.17)]
NFFi = (1,500)(1.15)(1.17)
NFFi = 2,018
NFFi = 2,000 gpm

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Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.3 – Modifications

18.4.3.1 – Decrease in Fire Flow requirements

The AHJ is permitted to use discretion in reducing the required fire flow in rural areas with
isolated buildings where development of the full fire flow is impractical. It is important to
note that reducing the fire flow is at the sole discretion of the AHJ. Before reducing the fire
flow, the AHJ should determine if the site conditions warrant a reduction and if additional
protection methods, such as fire sprinkler protection, are necessary to justify a reduction
while maintaining a reasonable level of property and life safety protection

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Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.3 – Modifications

18.4.3.2 – Increase in Fire Flow requirements

An existing adjacent building may be of combustible construction, located close to

the property line, and not constructed with an exterior wall of an appropriate fire
resistance rating. Based on these conditions, the AHJ may determine that an
increase in the fire flow is necessary to provide for exposure protection fire streams.

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Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.4 – Fire Flow Area

18.4.4.1 – General

• The fire flow area shall be the total floor area of all floor levels of a
building except as modified in 18.4.4.1.1.
18.4.4.1.1- The fire flow area of a building constructed of Type I (443),
Type I (332), and Type II (222) construction shall be the area of the
three largest successive floors

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 Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.5 – Fire Flow Requirement for Building

18.4.5.1 – One & Two Family dwelling units- Less than 5000 Sq ft.
• 18.4.5.1.1 - The minimum fire flow and flow duration requirements for one- and
two-family dwellings having a fire flow area that does not exceed 5000 ft2 (334.5
m2) shall be 1000 gpm (3785 L/min) for 1 hour.

Its Permitted to be reduced by 25% if separated from

Its Permitted to be reduced by 75% if provided with other building by minimum 30 ft.- Cl. 18.4.5.1.1.2 &
approved automatic sprinkler System- Cl. 18.4.5.1.1.1 Table 18.4.5.1.4
But in no case it shall be less than 500 GPM, Cl. 18.4.5.1.1.1 & 18.4.5.1.1.2 Can’t be combine
together to reduce
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 Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.5 – Fire Flow Requirement for Building

18.4.5.2 – One & Two Family dwelling units- More than 5000 Sq ft.
• 18.4.5.2.1 - The minimum fire flow and flow duration for buildings other than one- and two-
family dwellings shall be as specified in Table 18.4.5.2.1
• 18.4.5.2.4 – Required Fire flow for one and two family dwelling protected by an approved
automatic sprinkler System shall not exceed 2000 GPM for 1 Hour

Its Permitted to be reduced by 25% if separated from

Its Permitted to be reduced by 75% if provided with
other building by minimum 30 ft.- Cl. 18.4.5.2.3 &
approved automatic sprinkler System- Cl. 18.4.5.2.2
Table 18.4.5.1.4
But in no case it shall be less than 500 GPM, Cl. 18.4.5.2.2 & 18.4.5.2.3 Can’t be combine
together to reduce
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Engg. Design to 500 GPM
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Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.5 – Fire Flow Requirement for Building
18.4.5.3 – Building other than one & two family dwellings.
18.4.5.3.1 – Duration of flow shall be according to table 18.4.5.2.1
18.4.5.3.2 – Allowed to reduce by 75% if the building is protected throughout
by approved automatic sprinkler System, resulting fire flow shall not be less
than 1000 GPM
18.4.5.3.3 - Allowed to reduce by 75% if the building is protected throughout
by approved automatic sprinkler System, which utilizes quick response
sprinkler throughout, resulting fire flow shall not be less than 600 GPM
18.4.5.3.4- Required fire flow for building protected with approved
automatic sprinkler system shall not exceed 2000 GPM for 2 hours.

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Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.5 – Fire Flow Requirement for Building
18.4.5.3.5- Required fire flow for open parking structures that are not
protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system shall
be reduced by 75% where all of the following conditions are met:
1. The structure complies with the building code
2. The structure is to type 1 or type 2 construction.
3. The structure is provided with a class 1 standpipe system in
accordance with NFPA 14. Class 1 standpipe systems of the manual
dry pipe is permitted.
4. The Resulting fire flow is not less than 1000 gpm

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Cl. 18.4 – Fire Flow Requirements
• Cl. 18.4.5 – Fire Flow Requirement for Building
18.4.5.4 – Required fire flow and automatic sprinkler systems demand

For a building with an approved fire sprinkler systems, the fire flow
demand and the fire sprinkler systems demand shall not be required to
be added together. The water supply shall be capable of delivering the
larger of the individual demands.

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EXAMPLE
• A non-sprinklered building with a calculated 3500 gpm (13,250 L/min)
required fire flow would be allowed a reduced fire flow of 1000 gpm
(3785 L/min) if it were protected by a sprinkler system in accordance
with NFPA 13…?

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SOLUTION
In accordance with Cl. 18.4.5.2.1

Fire Flow Credit = 3500 X 75%

= 2625 GPM
Fire Flow = 3500-2625
= 875 GPM

The calculated fire flow of 875 gpm (3312 L/min) is less than
1000 gpm (3785 L/min), the minimum permitted
by 18.4.5.2.1.
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Thank You

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