TECHNICAL DATA
HYDRANT DISCHARGE
TECHNICAL DATA
HYDRANT DISCHARGE FORMULA DISCHARGE TABLE FOR HYDRANT
To obtain the flow from hydrant outlets use the same formula OUTLETS
as given for smooth bore nozzles but use the factor “C” equal Outlet Outlet
to 0.90. Every Fire Department should check the flow from their Pressure Outlet Diameter (inches) Pressure Outlet Diameter (inches)
hydrants. This can be done simply and easily using only a cap (lbs.) 2.5 3 4 4.5 (lbs.) 2.5 3 4 4.5
with a pressure gauge attached. Merely place the gauge on one U.S. Gallons per Minute U.S. Gallons per Minute
outlet, open the hydrant and read the gauge. Remove another 1 170 240 430 540 16 670 970 1720 2180
cap, open the hydrant and read the gauge again and obtain 17 690 1000 1770 2240
2 240 340 610 770
the gallons per minute using the above method or from the
3 290 420 740 940 18 710 1030 1820 2310
discharge table for hydrant outlets. Obtain the maximum amount
of water available from the discharge table for hydrant outlets. 4 340 480 860 1090 19 730 1050 1870 2370
Then to obtain the maximum amount of water available from the 5 380 540 960 1220 20 750 1080 1920 2430
hydrant in gallons per minute with a residual of 10 lbs. (which is 6 410 590 1050 1340 22 790 1130 2020 2550
the lowest you should draw down the pressure on the hydrant) 7 440 640 1140 1440 24 820 1180 2110 2660
use the following formula. 8 480 680 1220 1540 26 860 1230 2190 2770
9 500 730 1290 1640 28 890 1280 2280 2880
AA == Bx !P1–10
!P1–P2 10 530 760 1360 1730 30 920 1320 2350 2980
Where A = Gallons per minute available at 10 lbs. residual. 11 560 800 1430 1810 32 950 1370 2430 3080
12 580 840 1490 1890 34 980 1410 2510 3170
B = Gallons per minute obtained.
13 610 870 1550 1960 36 1010 1450 2580 3260
P1 = Static pressure on hydrant with no water flowing. T-12
14 630 900 1610 2040 38 1040 1490 2650 3350
P2 = Residual pressure on hydrant with water flowing.
15 650 940 1660 2110 40 1060 1530 2720 3440
DEFINITIONS
Static Pressure – The word “static” means at rest or without motion. pressure can be as follows: “Flow pressure is the forward velocity pressure
Pressure on water may be produced by an elevated water supply, by atmo- at a discharge opening while water is flowing.” An example of flow pressure
spheric pressure, or by a force pump. If the water is not moving, the pres- is one in which the forward velocity of a water stream exerts a pressure
sure exerted is static. In water distribution systems there is always some that can be read on a gauge.
flow in the pipes because of normal domestic or industrial needs. Normal Operating Pressure – Normal operating pressure is that
A true static pressure is, therefore, seldom found in municipal water pressure which flowing water exerts against the wall of a conduit; i.e. pipe,
systems. From a practical viewpoint, however, the pressure normally fire hose, appliances, valves, fittings, etc. The difference between static
found in a water system before water flows from a hydrant, is considered and normal operating pressure is the friction loss caused by the water
to be static pressure. A water flow definition of static pressure could be as flowing through these conduits. As soon as water starts to flow, static pres-
follows: “Static pressure is stored potential energy that is available to force sure no longer exists. The demands for water sometimes change during
water through pipe, fittings, fire hose, and adapters.” fireground operations, so therefore, normal operating pressures will change
Residual Pressure – The word “residual” means a remainder, or also. A piezometer gauge is used to determine
that which is left. As an example, during a fire flow test, the term residual this type of pressure. A water flow definition of it would be as fol-
represents the pressure which is left in a distribution system within the lows: “Normal operating pressure is that pressure which flowing water
vicinity of one or more flowing hydrants. Residual pressure in a water dis- exerts against the wall of the conduit through which it flows in a distribution
tribution system will vary depending upon the amount of water that may be system.”
flowing from one or more hydrants and upon water consumption demands. Friction Loss – If an opening is made in a closed system of piping or
One point that must be remembered is that residual pressure must be fire hose, a difference in pressure will exist between the internal pressure
identified at the location where the reading is taken. A water flow definition and the atmospheric pressure outside the pipe or hose. This difference
of residual pressure could be as follows: “Residual pressure is that part of in pressure causes the water to flow toward the lesser pressure. Water
the total available pressure that is not used to overcome friction or gravity flowing through pipe or fire hose meets certain resistances or friction which
while forcing water through pipe, fittings, fire hose, and adapters.” must be overcome by pressure. This loss of pressure is usually called
Flow Pressure – The rate of flow or velocity of the water coming from friction loss or loss because of friction. The only pressure available to over-
a discharge opening produces a force which is called flow pressure or come this resistance is the total pressure. A fire stream definition of friction
velocity pressure. Since a stream of water emerging from a discharge loss could be as follows: “Friction loss is that part of total pressure that is
opening is not encased within a tube, it exerts pressure in a forward direc- lost while forcing water through pipe, fittings, fire hose, and appliances.”
tion but does not exert a sideways pressure. The forward velocity or flow The differences in pressure on a hose line between a nozzle and a pumper
pressure can be measured by using a Pitot tube and gauge. If the size of is a good example of friction loss.
opening is known, the flow pressure can be used to calculate the quantity
of water flowing in gallons per minute (gpm). A water definition of flow
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