What is the total number of gallons per minute needed to extinguish a room measuring 100 feet by 60 feet and 20 feet high?

Conquer the Lafayette Fire Department Captain Test with comprehensive multiple-choice questions and insights. Enhance your understanding with detailed explanations and ace your exam with ease!

To determine the total gallons per minute (GPM) required to extinguish a room, you need to consider several key factors, including the size of the room and the fire suppression standard for water flow. The room's dimensions—100 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 20 feet high—give a total volume of 120,000 cubic feet.

The flow rate is often calculated based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards or equivalent guidelines, which generally suggest a certain GPM needed for fire control. For instance, a common rule of thumb is to require about 2 GPM for each square foot involved in the fire area, depending on the occupancy type and materials present.

In this scenario, the square footage of the room is 6,000 square feet (100 feet x 60 feet). Applying the calculation, if we consider a multiplied factor that entails aggressive fire suppression and effective extinguishment, a flow rate of 200 GPM per 1,000 square feet could also be used as a guideline. For this room size, the calculated GPM could reach about 1,200 GPM based on various firefighting calculations and adjustments for heavy fire loads or hazardous materials.

Thus, when assessing the

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