Reza is thinking along the right lines and he is discovering the tank size 
dilemma. In high rise situations where the building code requires a tank it is 
the mercantile operations that are often going on in that ground floor that may 
be driving the tank size. There is no example in the code I know of that says 
to use the nominal numbers as stated in the post. The actual language as I 
recall implies the tank size to be based upon the hydraulically calculated 
demand where the calculation method is not qualified to be anything other than 
how 13 requires a sprinkler demand calculation to be done. That calculation 
would reflect whatever the flow overage is for the remote area.

Allan Seidel
St. Louis, MO 

On Aug 14, 2013, at 9:50 AM, Ron Greenman <[email protected]> wrote:

> You're over thinking this Reza. The design area(s) (not always the "remote
> area") is the target in the calculation model. Everything is keyed to that.
> The tank will be sized according to 1. the density, 2. times the square
> footage in the design area, and 3. the duration. So in the case of light
> hazard Q=(0.1)(900+ to 1500+)(60), or adjust for metrics). That's what you
> need to CALCULATE to meet NFPA requirements. It's that simple. The rest of
> the process is just seeing if you have adequate pressure to meet that goal.
> Now there's a certain soundness top your perceived problem, and your
> solution, and Richard's, seem like a rationale way to solve said problem.
> I'm just not convinced there is a problem that requires a difficult
> solution in a sprinkler system, particularly for six stories. Now a water
> spray system is a different story altogether.
> 
> 
> On Tue, Aug 13, 2013 at 11:02 PM, Reza Esmaeili
> <[email protected]>wrote:
> 
>> Thanks for comments
>> But this is my calculation:
>> Occupancy:  6-story light hazard building, with required density of 0.1
>> gpm/ft2 and area of sprinkler operation 200ft2 and a pump is 300Gpm/70psi
>> located in basement as well as water tank.
>> Required flow rate = 0.1 gpm/ft2 x 200 ft2 = 20 Gpm
>> - Scenario1: I use different K factors for each floor to limit the flow
>> rate around my required, I use K=2.8 for 1st floor, K=4.2 for 2nd floor
>> ....  K=8 for 6th floor. In this way the flow rate will approximately vary
>> from 21.7Gpm to 29.7Gpm. I calculated 7 active QR sprinklers, so the
>> required flow rate for sprinklers is 7 x 29.7 = 208Gpm + 100Gmp hose stream
>> total required flow rate = 308Gpm.
>> - Scenario2: If I use the same sprinklers with K=8, then at the 1st floor
>> the pressure is 60psi. I calculated 7 active QR sprinklers, so the required
>> flow rate for sprinklers is 7 x 62 = 434Gpm + 100Gmp hose stream total
>> required flow rate = 534Gpm.
>> 
>> - Scenario3:  If I use the same sprinklers with K=8, but I reduce the pipe
>> sizes of mains on the lower floors in order to increase pressure drop
>> through the piping, but is it really possible to drop 30 psi with reducing
>> the pipe sizes? Won't make other problems such as high velocity, high
>> temperature, etc?
>> 
>> Which Scenario do you like the best to reduce the size of pump and water
>> tank? What is the problem with Scenario 1?
>> Regards,
>> Reza
>> www.saeian.ir
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________
>> From: Ron Greenman <[email protected]>
>> To: [email protected]
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 11:14 PM
>> Subject: Re: Different K factor in each floor practical?
>> 
>> 
>> remember that pressure is your friend. Not having enough pressure is
>> usually the problem.
>> 
>> 
>> On Tue, Aug 13, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Eric Tysinger <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Also to add, given a 6-story building with a basement you should be
>>> looking at about 70ft of elevation difference between the basement and
>> the
>>> roof. If a pressure reducing valve was used and you limited the pressure
>> to
>>> 165psi at the basement level you would should still have at least 125-135
>>> psi available at the roof.
>>> 
>>> Eric Tysinger CET
>>> NICET III - 108988
>>> Project Manager - Fort Myers Branch
>>> Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc.
>>> 4683 Laredo Ave.
>>> Fort Myers, Florida 33905
>>> p: (239)433-3030 x1240    f: (239)433-3263
>>> C: (239)633-9703
>>> 
>>> For Fire Alarm Service and Monitoring questions contact us at:
>>> [email protected]
>>> 
>>> "Ask us how we can eliminate your Fire Alarm phone line bills"
>>> "Ask us about CCTV, Access Control and Security"
>>> 
>>> Thank you, and have a great day !
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [email protected] [mailto:
>>> [email protected]] On Behalf Of Eric
>> Tysinger
>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 4:06 PM
>>> To: [email protected]
>>> Subject: RE: Different K factor in each floor practical?
>>> 
>>> Assuming that you do not exceed the psi rating of the components
>>> (typically 175psi) on any given floor, why worry about the pressure at
>> each
>>> floor? If you do exceed 175psi, the use of a pressure reducing valve at
>> the
>>> ground level would be a better choice for controlling your pressures.
>>> Changing the k-factors would only limit your starting head pressures, the
>>> pressure available on each floor would still remain the same.
>>> 
>>> Eric Tysinger CET
>>> NICET III - 108988
>>> Project Manager - Fort Myers Branch
>>> Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc.
>>> 4683 Laredo Ave.
>>> Fort Myers, Florida 33905
>>> p: (239)433-3030 x1240    f: (239)433-3263
>>> C: (239)633-9703
>>> 
>>> For Fire Alarm Service and Monitoring questions contact us at:
>>> [email protected]
>>> 
>>> "Ask us how we can eliminate your Fire Alarm phone line bills"
>>> "Ask us about CCTV, Access Control and Security"
>>> 
>>> Thank you, and have a great day !
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [email protected] [mailto:
>>> [email protected]] On Behalf Of Reza
>> Esmaeili
>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 3:34 PM
>>> To: [email protected]
>>> Subject: Different K factor in each floor practical?
>>> 
>>> Hi!
>>> For a 6 floor business office building considered as light hazard
>>> occupancy, and the minimum sprinkler discharge density 0.1 gpm/ft2, that
>>> the fire pump is located in the basement, in order to adjust flow rate of
>>> sprinklers not to be very high at each floor, what strategy is usually
>>> considered? Is it common to use different K factor sprinklers in each
>>> floor? like the below:
>>> Lets say the pump is 30Gpm at 70Psi and consider the below:
>>> - Pressure at 1st floor= 60 psi ---- I choose a sprinkler with K=2.8 to
>>> have Q=21.7Gpm
>>> - Pressure at 2nd floor= 50 psi ---- I choose a sprinkler with K=4.2 to
>>> have Q=29.7Gpm
>>> - Pressure at 3rd floor= 40 psi ---- I choose a sprinkler with K=4.2 to
>>> have Q=26.7Gpm
>>> - Pressure at 4th floor= 30 psi ---- I choose a sprinkler with K=4.2 to
>>> have Q=23Gpm
>>> - Pressure at 5th floor= 20 psi ---- I choose a sprinkler with K=5.6 to
>>> have Q=25Gpm
>>> - Pressure at 6th floor= 10 psi ---- I choose a sprinkler with K=8 to
>> have
>>> Q=25.3Gpm
>>> 
>>> The above numbers are theoretical, I just would like to know if it is
>>> common to change the K factor at each floor to adjust flow rate?
>>> Or may be a pressure regulated valve is better to use at each floor
>>> instead of different K factor?
>>> 
>>> Ps. I have considered to use quick response sprinklers.
>>> 
>>> Thanks!
>>> Reza
>>> www.sarian.ir
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
>>> To: [email protected]
>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 5:24 AM
>>> Subject: Re: Sleep on it!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Do they stock those foam "dorm" quality mattresses? How many and how
>>> stored?
>>> 
>>> I think a lot of places don't. If they do, they ignite easy, and burn
>> fast
>>> and hot. Burn a single one on edge. The fire is essentially over in a
>>> minute, with just a small residual flame from remnant puddle.
>>> 
>>> Temporarily solidified petrochemicals.
>>> 
>>> bv
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Charles Thurston" <[email protected]>
>>> To: "Vince Sabolik" <[email protected]>
>>> Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 3:07:02 PM
>>> Subject: Re: Sleep on it!
>>> 
>>> Hello Vince,
>>> 
>>> Just did one a few months back in a strip center. I will try to remember
>>> when I get to the office tomorrow and see what it was.
>>> 
>>> Monday, August 12, 2013, 5:58:24 PM, you wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hey forum --
>>> 
>>>> Has anyone done a design for a small retail mattress store?
>>> 
>>>> Would Class III, Group A really apply? Not really storage...
>>> 
>>>> Thanks!
>>> 
>>>> Vince Sabolik, West Tech Fire Protection, Inc.
>>>> 11351 Pearl Road / Strongsville, Ohio 44136 440
>>>> 238-4800 Fax 440 238-4876
>>>> ____________________________________________________________________
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Sprinklerforum mailing list
>>>> [email protected]
>>>> 
>>> 
>> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Best regards,
>>> Charles mailto:[email protected]
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Ron Greenman
>> Instructor
>> Fire Protection Engineering Technology
>> Bates Technical College
>> 1101 So. Yakima Ave.
>> Tacoma, WA 98405
>> 
>> [email protected]
>> 
>> http://www.bates.ctc.edu/fireprotection/
>> 
>> 253.680.7346
>> 253.576.9700 (cell)
>> 
>> Member:
>> ASEE, SFPE, ASCET, NFPA, AFSA, NFSA, AFAA, NIBS, WSAFM, WFC, WFSC
>> 
>> They are happy men whose natures sort with their vocations. -Francis Bacon,
>> essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626)
>> _______________________________________________
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Ron Greenman
> Instructor
> Fire Protection Engineering Technology
> Bates Technical College
> 1101 So. Yakima Ave.
> Tacoma, WA 98405
> 
> [email protected]
> 
> http://www.bates.ctc.edu/fireprotection/
> 
> 253.680.7346
> 253.576.9700 (cell)
> 
> Member:
> ASEE, SFPE, ASCET, NFPA, AFSA, NFSA, AFAA, NIBS, WSAFM, WFC, WFSC
> 
> They are happy men whose natures sort with their vocations. -Francis Bacon,
> essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626)
> _______________________________________________
> Sprinklerforum mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org

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