Calculate Needed Fire Flow

Calculate Needed Fire Flow

Purpose Statement

The Calculate Needed Fire Flow feature enables users to determine the required water flow rate (in gallons per minute) for effective fire suppression at a specific occupancy. This calculation is essential for pre-fire planning, ensuring adequate water supply resources are available, and meeting NFPA standards for fire flow requirements based on building characteristics and risk factors.

Background Information

Needed Fire Flow calculations are critical for fire department pre-planning operations and water supply assessments. The calculation considers multiple building factors including construction type, floor area, number of floors, sprinkler system presence, fuel load, and nearby exposures. This automated calculation ensures consistent, standardized fire flow determinations that comply with industry standards and support effective incident planning. The feature integrates with occupancy records and can auto-populate data from other sections to streamline the process.
​Required Permissions
To access and use the Calculate Needed Fire Flow feature, users must have the following permission enabled:
Permission Required: "Calculate Needed Fire Flow - Button" (located in the Pre-Planning permission bucket)
To Enable Permission:
  1. Navigate to Admin → Roles
  2. Select Edit for the appropriate role
  3. Expand the Pre-Planning permission bucket
  4. Search for "needed" in the filter
  5. Check the "Calculate Needed Fire Flow - Button" permission
  6. Select Save to update permissions

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

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1. Navigate to Admin then click on Roles.


Navigate to Admin then click on Roles.



2. Select edit for the Role to enable "Calculate Needed Fire Flow - Button."






3. Click on + to expand the Pre-Planning Bucket.






4. Type "needed" into the filter and check to enable the permission "Calculate Needed Fire Flow - Button."






5. Select Save to update the Permission.


Select Save to update the Permission.



6. Navigate to an Occupancy Record and then to the Needed Fire Flow Section.
  1. NOTE: Required fields are: Construction Type, Area Per Floor, Floors Above Grade, and Sprinkler System Deduction.
  2. NOTE: The Needed Fire Flow cannot be calculated if the user is offline.

Navigate to an Occupancy Record and then to the Needed Fire Flow Section.



7. Select a Construction Type.
  1. NOTE: See attached document in regards to the proper formatting for the Construction Type table.
  2. NOTE: The Construction Type will auto fill in the Needed Fire Flow Section if it is selected in the Construction Section.

Select a Construction Type.



8. Enter the Area Per Floor (Sq. Ft., Sq. Yd., or Sq. M).
  1. NOTE: If the Area Per Floor is calculated or entered into the Area Section, it will auto fill the Area Per Floor field in the Needed Fire Flow Section.


Enter the Area Per Floor (Sq. Ft., Sq. Yd., or Sq. M)



9. Enter the number of Floors Above Grade.
  1. NOTE: The number of floors must be greater than 0.
  2. NOTE: If the Floors Above Grade is entered into the Area Section, it will auto fill the Floors Above Grade field in the Needed Fire Flow Section.

Enter the number of Floors Above Grade.



10. Enter the number of floors below grade.
  1. NOTE: If the Floors Below Grade is entered into the Area Section, it will auto fill the Floors Below Grade field in the Needed Fire Flow Section.


Enter the number of floors below grade.



11. Select Yes or No for the Sprinkler System Deduction.
  1. NOTE: Selecting Yes will result in a reduction of the Needed Fire Flow. The Needed Fire Flow will be reduced to 25% by selecting yes with a minimum of 1500 Gallons Per Minute.


Select Yes or No for the Sprinkler System Deduction.



12. Select the correct fuel load for the Occupancy.
  1. NOTE: See the attached document Needed Fire Flow - Fuel Load Examples for more information on what fuel load to select.
  2. NOTE: If a selection for fuel load is not made, the system will calculate the Needed Fire Flow equivalent to the Combustible fuel load.

  1. Select the correct fuel load for the Occupancy.



13. Select the correct Number of Exposures Withing 30'.


Select the correct Number of Exposures Withing 30'.



14. Click on Calculate NFF.


Click on Calculate NFF.



15. Needed Fire Flow example.


Needed Fire Flow Example.



16. Click on Recalculate NFF if any data in the section has been updated.
  1. NOTE: The system will not automatically recalculate the Needed Fire Flow if any data in this section is updated.


Click on Recalculate NFF if any data in the section has been updated.

Best Practices

  • Complete all required fields (Construction Type, Area Per Floor, Floors Above Grade, Sprinkler System Deduction) before calculating
  • Utilize auto-population features by entering building data in the Construction and Area sections first
  • Verify construction type selection against the provided formatting document to ensure accuracy
  • Review fuel load carefully using the examples document to select the most appropriate classification
  • Recalculate when data changes as the system does not automatically update calculations
  • Document the basis for fuel load and exposure selections in occupancy notes for future reference
  • Ensure internet connectivity as calculations cannot be performed offline

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why can't I see the Calculate Needed Fire Flow button? A: Verify that your user role has the "Calculate Needed Fire Flow - Button" permission enabled in the Pre-Planning bucket.

Q: The calculation won't run - what's wrong? A: Ensure all required fields are completed and you have an active internet connection. The feature requires online connectivity to function.

Q: My fire flow calculation seems incorrect. What should I check? A: Verify your Construction Type selection matches the formatting guidelines and that your fuel load selection is appropriate for the occupancy type.

Q: Why didn't my calculation update when I changed the area? A: The system requires manual recalculation. Click "Recalculate NFF" after making any changes to input data.

Q: What's the minimum fire flow with sprinkler deduction? A: When sprinkler deduction is enabled, the minimum fire flow is 1,500 GPM, even if the 25% calculation would result in a lower value.

Q: Can I calculate fire flow for buildings with no floors above grade? A: No, the Floors Above Grade field must be greater than 0 for the calculation to work.



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