In this Issue

• Elite Software Fire Protection Hydraulic Calculations Design Software

• New Fire Standpipe Video on Youtube

• New Fire Basics Video on Youtube

• Elite Software Youtube Channel
  

Elite Software offers over 30 programs for all kinds of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design applications. This monthly newsletter will announce new software, trade show events, and tips on using existing software. See previous newsletters here.

NFPA 13 is the industry standard on all matters related to fire sprinkler systems in the USA, and the first version was published over a century ago, in 1896. You can read an overview about NFPA 13 here.

Fire protection system design is primarily concerned with creating a pipe network that will supply sufficient water flow over a given hazard area using water delivered by sprinkler heads and hose stream flows. Matching the available water pressure with an optimal pipe, hose, and sprinkler head arrangement is the critical component in meeting the flow requirements. Hydraulic water flow calculations are needed to verify this goal. This is the primary purpose of the Elite Software Fire program. More details on Fire can be seen here.

Whenever hoses are involved with a fire protection system, standpipes to supply water to the hoses will be involved too. NFPA 14 is the standard for the design and installation of standpipes.  An overview of NFPA 14 is here.

NFPA 14 covers many details on all the pipe, hose, and valve connection sizes required. From the perspective of the Elite Software Fire program, the key aspect of standpipes is that both a minimum flow and minimum pressure is needed at the top of a standpipe. Knowing the flow requirement allows the calculation of an equivalent k-factor for the outlet of a standpipe.

How to enter data for standpipes in the Fire program is explained in the new Fire Standpipe video. There is also a Fire Basics video to help you learn how to use the software. These videos are available on Elite's web site and also on the new Elite Software YouTube channel.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call 800-648-9523 or 979-690-9420, or send email to info@elitesoft.com.

Sincerely,

Bill Smith
President, Elite Software

Fire Basics Video

Fire Standpipe Video

Fire - Fire Sprinkler System Design

The Fire Program quickly performs all necessary hydraulic calculations as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 13). Along with calculating hydraulic flows and pressures, Fire calculates optimal pipe sizes and performs a "peaking analysis" of multiple coverage areas to determine which area is the worst case. Fire can handle all types of sprinkler systems (trees, grids, loops, and hybrids), with up to 1,000 sprinklers and pipes. Pumps, meters, backflow preventers, alarm check valves and standpipes can also be analyzed.

Fire can work in both English and metric SI units. Fire calculates the water flow (GPM or LPM, depending on the units selected) and velocity through all pipe sections, the flow and residual pressure at each sprinkler head, the pressure losses incurred in each pipe section due to both friction and elevation changes, the maximum system demand pressure, and the total water flow demanded by the system. A supply/demand graph (see example below) is also provided to show that the system water demand is within the capacity of the available water supply. The report format is designed to aid both the designer and the plan reviewer. See some sample input screens below, and see some sample reports here.

Fire is affordably priced from $499 to $1250, depending upon the node capacity. See more details and download a trial copy of Fire from the Fire program webpage.

back to top