Chapter 5 Water Float Analysis Flashcards
what are the reasons it’s necessary to conduct water flow analysis
- to determine whether a water supply system is operating as designed
- to determine whether a properly functioning water supply system can provide an adequate flow of water for the target hazards in the area of the test
when should flow test be conducted
at least once every five years or
after any extensive water main improvements/ extensions
reasons that mathematical calculations of the water flow in the distribution system may not be accurate
- sedimentation or mineral deposits
- piping corrosion and deterioration
- unforeseen valve closure or debris and system
_____ are the only reliable way for fire service personnel to determine the quantity of water available for fire protection in a water supply system
water flow test
what should the clearance between the bottom of the hydrant butt and a grade be
15”
the water supply test involves two hydrants
test hydrant- hydrant for which the test is being conducted, no water is flowed from this hydrant
flow hydrant- hydrant that is open and flowed to create the pressure drop at the test hydrant, more than one flow hydrate may be required
where should the test hydrogen be located in relation to the water source
the test hydrant must be located between the flow hydrant and a water source
why should 2 1/2 inch outlets be used to conduct flow test
large steamer outlet contains voids/ is not solid stream of water
you should open enough hydrants to drop the static pressure at the test hydrogen by at least
10%
Steps for conducting an available water test
- have personal at both test hydrant and flow hydrant
- test hydrant, remove hydrant And attach static pressure gauge with petcock open… open hydrant bleed air close petcock… fully open hydrant
- record static pressure
- flow hydrant, removed 2.5” cap, record project coefficient and inside diameter of orifice
- fully open flow hydrant taken record pitot up reading, residual pressure on test hydrant should not drop below 20psi
- close flow hydrant
- check test hydrant for return to normal pressure, close hydrant and open petcock, remove gauge, replace cap
what is the easiest way to determine how much water is flowing from the hydrant outlets
using prepared table for nozzle/ outlet discharge
the most commonly used manual calculation method to determine available water flow
graphical method
what’s the procedure for graphical analysis of available water flow
- determine the GPM scale that we used
- plot the static pressure on the vertical scale at zero GPM
- locate total water flow, measured during the test
- located residual pressure recorded during test
- draw straight line from the static pressure point through the residual pressure point on the water scale
- mark 20 psi GPM, record the figure