How much water is estimated to be needed to extinguish a building that measures 15' x 45' x 25'?

To estimate the amount of water needed to extinguish a building, one common method involves determining the volume of the building and applying a standard formula used in fire suppression calculations.

In this case, the building dimensions are 15 feet wide, 45 feet long, and 25 feet tall. First, calculate the volume of the building using the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism:

Volume = length × width × height.

Plugging in the values, the calculation would be:

Volume = 45 feet × 15 feet × 25 feet

= 16,875 cubic feet.

Next, to convert the volume from cubic feet to gallons (since water is measured in gallons for firefighting), we use the conversion factor that 1 cubic foot equals approximately 7.48 gallons.

So,

16,875 cubic feet × 7.48 gallons/cubic foot ≈ 126,791 gallons.

However, in firefighting, a more practical rule of thumb can be applied. The amount of water needed to extinguish a fire generally varies depending on numerous factors, including the type of construction, the contents, and fire load.

Based on empirical data from firefighting experiences, a rough estimate often used in the field is to