Using the hydraulic calculation method for a 1 side

branched tree system was previously explained .

-We used to add the pressure losses in sprinklers”1-2-3-4”

-We added them to the losses in the pipes”1-2,2-3,3-4,4-5”
-We found the New “K Factor at node “6” that declared the
2nd branch as a 1 big sprinkler.
-we calculated the flow rate in the 2nd branch using the
Formula : Q=Ktot . P 6

-in 1 side branched system we used to start with the furthest

sprinkler “1” by calculating the flow rate which is equal to the
density x area of coverage .

-and then we calculated the

2
pressure on the mentioned
sprinkler using: P Q
2
K

-Then we have calculated the pressure loss in the pipe using

Hazen-william equation at the convenient C value , usually
120.
 -The pressure losses which must be covered by the
pump are the losses that occur on the longest run
of the whole system and the flow rate covered is the
-Considering this system being: ordinary hazard 1 with sum of flow rate of all sprinklers .
Area of operation equal to 1500 ft2.
-The Hazen William Equation is equal to :
-Density of Hydraulic most demand sprinkler is 0.15gpm/ft2
-Area of coverage of sprinkler = 130 ft2.
q 1
p 1.110
1.1101.1010.( )1.85 . 4.87
-Sprinkler K factor = 5.6. c D

The Problem may arise when the system is double

branched and the 2 branches do not have the same
number of sprinklers.

-At the furthest run the 2 branches must together be balanced

Flow on Pressure on
Node-Pipe Pipe length Notes
node/loss in
For pipe node/in pipe
pipe
losses
1* Sprinkler Q=0.15x130 Q
12.1psi P ( )2
calculation =19.5GPM K

1-2 Pipe 19.5gpm 1.6 hazen

calculation P2=1.6+ willam
Lpipe=13ft “Diameter
12.1=
of pipe is
13.7 psi given
 Pipe length Flow on node/in Pressure on Pipe length Flow on node/in Pressure on
Node-Pipe Notes Node-Pipe Notes
node/loss in node/loss in
For pipe pipe For pipe pipe
pipe pipe
losses losses
4* Sprinkler Q=K4. P 4 17psi P3+ 2* Sprinkler Q=K2. P 2 13.7psi P1+
calculation =23.1GPM Ploss(3-4) calculation 20.7gpm Ploss(1-2)

4-5 Pipe 62.1+23.1= 9 psi hazen 2-3 Pipe 20.7+19.5=40.2gp 1.6psi hazen
calculation 85.2gpm P5= 17+9 willam calculation m P3= willam
Lpipe=13ft Q1+Q2+Q3+Q4 “Diameter Lpipe=13ft Q1+Q2 “Diameter
=26psi 13.7+1.6
of pipe is of pipe is
given =15.3psi given

Pipe length Flow on node/in Pressure on

Node-Pipe Notes
node/loss in
-The final pressure at nipple 5 =26 psi and the flow rate For pipe pipe
pipe
Going to branch “4-3-2-1” is equal to 85.2 gpm losses
3* Sprinkler Q=K3. P 3 15.3psi P2+
calculation =21.9GPM Ploss(2-3)
-Now we have to identify how much flow rate shall go
3-4 Pipe 40.2+21.9= 1.7psi hazen
to branch “6-7”. calculation 62.1gpm willam
P4=
Lpipe=13ft Q1+Q2+Q3 “Diameter
15.3+1.7
-We start hydraulic calculation with “6-7” of pipe is
As if this branch is the longest branch. =17psi given
 Flow on Pressure on
Node-Pipe Pipe length Notes
node/loss in -We start with sprinkler 7 as if it is the hydraulic most
For pipe node/in pipe
pipe
losses demand sprinkler, so k=5.6 , q=19.5 gpm
6* Sprinkler Q=K6. P 6 13.7psi P7+
calculation 20.7gpm Ploss(6-7)

6-5 Pipe 20.7+19.5=40.2g 1.6psi hazen

calculation pm P5= willam
Lpipe=13ft Q7+Q6 “Diameter
13.7+1.6
of pipe is
=15.3psi given

Flow on Pressure on
Node-Pipe Pipe length Notes
node/loss in
-According to Branch “6-7” Pressure at nipple “5” For pipe node/in pipe
pipe
losses
Iss equal to =15.3
15.3 psi and flow rate to “6-7”
6 7 = 40.2gpm
pm
m
7* Sprinkler Q=0.15x130 Q
-We find now the new K factor for the whole branch “6-7” 12.1psi P ( )2
calculation =19.5GPM K
Q
Ktot 6-7 Pipe 19.5gpm 1.6 hazen
P
5
calculation P6=1.6+ willam
P
5 Is not the real pressure at nipple 5 , the real pressure is Lpipe=13ft “Diameter
12.1=
already calculated = 26 psi from branch “1-2-3-4-5” of pipe is
Ktot is equal to 10.2 13.7 psi given

We continue backward by calculating the flow rate at
every branch , because of the smiliratiy in branch”12-11-10-9-8”
And branch “8,13,14,15,16” , the balance is already achieved
A new Problem may arise when the most remote
Sprinkler is not at the last branch of the tree system
-How then we can calculate the demanded flow rate and
The pressure ?
-Now we have to balance the system by finding the real
Flow rate that is going to branch 6-7
Q6-7 = Ktot. P5
Caution: the pressure P5 in the equation above is
equal to 26 psi which belong to the real pressure
At nipple 5 calculated from the longest branch
“1-2-3-4-5”
-Q6-7 = 10.2. 26 = 52 Gpm
-Total Q at pipe 8-5 = 52 +85.2=137Gpm.
-Total pressure at 5 =26 psi.
-Ktot 6 can be always calculated by assuming the 2 -As we see above sprinkler “1” will cost the pump
Branched “7-8” and “9-10” as the furthest branches. the maximum pressure

q
10 1 -we can use the hydraulic calulation to calculate the
p56 1.1
1.1101.10 .( 6 )1.85 . Equation2 Pressure at nipple”5” and the flow rate sent to branch:
c D56 4.87 ‘1-2-3-4-5” But the pressure at node 6 is unknown ,hence
The flow rate at node 6 is unknow as well ????

q
10 1 -The solution for this problem is to create 2 equations with
p56 1.1
1.1101.10 .( 6 )1.85 . Equation2 2 unknowns
c D56 4.87
Q6= Ktot 6 . P6 Equation 1 -We know that P6 = P5- p5 6 .

-Ktot is known , D5-6 is known , C is known &P5 is known -We know that Q6 = Ktot 6 . P6 . Equation 1
-P6 and Q6 are unknon
 -We replace Equation 2 in equation 1 :
Q 26 K 2 .P6 P6 p5  p56

ª ª§ Q 1 · ºº
Q26 K 2 6 . « P5  «¨1.1101.1010.( 6 )1.85 . 4.87 ¸ .LPipe56 » »
¬ ¬© C D ¹ ¼¼

-We replace Equation 2 in equation 1 :

Q 26 K 2 .P6 P6 p5  p56

Q 26 Cst1  ªCst 2.  Q61.85  º

¬ ¼