How is fire flow calculated?

Fire flow is typically calculated using the formula that involves the dimensions of a structure, specifically its length and width. The reasoning behind the calculation method is that fire flow needs to adequately address the potential fire load based on the area that could be involved in a fire. The formula for calculating fire flow is often simplified to involve length and width when determining the area, and dividing by a factor accounts for efficiency and effectiveness in suppressing fire.

Using length times width divided by 3 strikes a balance between ensuring that enough water supply will be available for firefighting, considering the average fire intensity that might be expected in relation to the structure’s size. The number 3 in the denominator serves as a common value derived from various fire service guidelines based on experience and empirical data from fire incidents.

This formula ensures that the calculated fire flow is not only sufficient but also practical for the typical structural firefighting scenarios faced by fire departments. Thus, using this formula provides a reasonable estimate that can help in preparing fire suppression resources effectively.