PIPENET VISION

TRAINING MANUAL
SPRAY/SPRINKLER MODULE

CHAPTER 3

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS DESIGN - FIREWATER

RINGMAIN SYSTEMS

Revision 3.1, June 2017

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1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 2
2 DESIGN TIPS AND TECHNIQUES .......................................................................................................... 2
3 ADDITIONAL PRINCIPLES IN MORE DETAIL ....................................................................................... 3
3.1 INPUTTING PUMP CURVES ....................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 HOW TO DEAL WITH SYSTEMS USING “CLACK SHUT” VALVES AND “ELASTOMERIC” VALVES AS DELUGE
VALVES ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 HOW TO DEAL WITH MULTIPLE INPUTS AND OUTPUTS ............................................................................... 6
3.4 DEALING WITH MONITORS, HYDRANTS AND HOSE REELS .......................................................................... 8
4 HOW TO MODEL FIREWATER RINGMAIN SYSTEMS ......................................................................... 9
4.1 THE OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................... 9
4.2 THE FIRST CALCULATION IN ANALYSING FIREWATER RINGMAIN SYSTEMS................................................ 10
4.3 SUBSEQUENT CALCULATIONS IN ANALYSING DELUGE SYSTEMS .............................................................. 10
5 TRAINING EXAMPLE ............................................................................................................................ 11
5.1 THE NETWORK SCHEMATIC ................................................................................................................... 11
5.2 HOW TO SET UP THE DESKTOP ............................................................................................................. 11
5.3 INITIALISATION AND LIBRARIES STAGE .................................................................................................... 14
5.4 NETWORK INPUT ................................................................................................................................... 21
5.5 SYSTEMS BASED ON CLACK SHUT TYPE DELUGE VALVES....................................................................... 31
5.6 SYSTEMS BASED ON ELASTOMERIC TYPE DELUGE VALVES ..................................................................... 42
6 PUMP SELECTION TECHNIQUES ....................................................................................................... 48
6.1 CLACK SHUT DELUGE VALVE SYSTEMS (SCENARIO 9) ............................................................................ 48
6.2 ELASTOMERIC DELUGE VALVE SYSTEMS (SCENARIO 10) ........................................................................ 49
7 SOME HINTS AND TIPS FOR REFINING THE DESIGN ...................................................................... 51
7.1 USE OF OVERBOARD DUMP VALVES (SCENARIO 11)............................................................................... 53
7.2 USE OF ORIFICE PLATES (SCENARIO 12) ............................................................................................... 56
7.3 USE OF BYPASS VALVES (SCENARIO 13) ............................................................................................... 57
8 EXAMPLE OF A REAL FIREWATER RINGMAIN ................................................................................ 61
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1 Introduction
In this chapter, we build on the material covered in Chapter 1, and extend the principles to
cover firewater ringmain systems. In order to model firewater ringmain systems well, we
need to understand some of the capabilities of PIPENET VISION that were not covered in
Chapter 2. This chapter is intended to cover both the design methodologies and the
techniques for using PIPENET VISION itself.

Section 2 of this document contains design tips and techniques, while section 3 covers
additional principles in more detail. Section 4 contains a discussion on how to model
firewater ringmain systems, and section 5 contains information on how to set up the
model. The different phases of input (namely, initialisation and libraries) are discussed in
section 5.3. In section 5.4, we describe in detail how to input the network. Systems based
on clack shut type deluge valves are discussed in section 5.5, and systems based on
elastomeric type deluge valves are discussed in section 5.6. In section 6, we describe
techniques for selecting pumps. We give some hints and tips for refining the design in
section 7, and conclude with an example of a real firewater ringmain in section 8.

The material in this document is partly for discussion and partly for actual input.

2 Design Tips and Techniques

In the previous chapter, we looked in detail at how deluge systems are modelled. We also
saw why it is better to model deluge systems separately from firewater ringmains. In this
chapter, we shall see how to model firewater ringmain systems in detail.

The basic principles of setting up a network are the same as for deluge systems (and are
covered in Chapter 1 of the Spray/Sprinkler Training Manual). However, in order to be
able to fully utilise the capabilities of PIPENET VISION for modelling firewater ringmain
systems, we have to learn the following new aspects.

 Inputting pump curves:

Firewater systems often have pump curves, and it is necessary to learn how to input
vendor-provided pump-performance curves.

 How to deal with systems using “clack shut” valves and “elastomeric” valves
as deluge valves:
The best technique for modelling systems using conventional clack shut valves is
quite different from that for modelling elastomeric valves.

 How to deal with multiple inputs and outputs:

Firewater ringmain systems often have multiple inputs (for example, multiple
pumps) and/or multiple outputs (for example hydrants, hose reels, etc.). We need
to understand how to apply specifications to systems with multiple inputs/outputs.
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 Dealing with monitors, hydrants and hose reels:

Firewater ringmain systems contain all the above types of item. We need to
understand how to model these items.

Usually, there is not one unique way of modelling a firewater ringmain system. This
chapter is intended mainly to cover the basic principles. Each individual engineer and
each company may wish to develop its own method of applying these principles.

3 Additional Principles in More Detail

Let us discuss the above items one at a time. Please note that the dialog boxes shown in
this section are for information only. Please do not input data at this stage. The
paragraphs below simply contain a more-detailed discussion of the above matters.

3.1 Inputting Pump Curves

It is assumed that appropriate units have already been chosen. Pump curves can be input
using Libraries | Pumps – Coeffs. unknown (which, in PIPENET VISION, is used to
denote choosing “Pumps – Coeffs. unknown” from the Libraries Menu). As an example,
let us use the data in the table below.

Flow Rate (l/min) Pressure (Bar G)

10000 14.5
20000 12.5
30000 10

In addition, we use the following range for the flow rate.

Minimum flow rate = 10000 l/min,

Maximum flow rate = 30000 l/min.

The dialog box for entering this data is shown below.

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Sometimes the error message “Gradient must be negative over the whole range...” is
issued, in which case, the fitted curve (and not necessarily the input data) has a peak
between the minimum and maximum flow rates. Effectively, this error means that, for
some values of pressure, there could be two corresponding flow rates. Under these
circumstances, there may not be a unique solution, as two flow rates could give rise to the
same pressure.

This problem generally arises when the steep part of the pump curve is input together with
the shallow part. There are perhaps three ways of dealing with this problem:

 Reduce the range between the minimum flow rate and the maximum flow rate
(either by increasing the minimum value, decreasing the maximum value, or doing
both).
 Input either the steep part of the pump curve or the shallow part, but not both parts
together.
 Slightly modify the data points so that the peak does not occur.

One other important point that should be borne in mind, especially in offshore firewater
systems, is the following. Often the pump curve refers to the flow rate and pressure at the
discharge flange of the pump assembly. In other words, the static head loss and frictional
loss in the riser pipe have already been taken into account. If this were the case, the
caisson riser pipe must not be input again.
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3.2 How to Deal with Systems using “Clack Shut” Valves and
“Elastomeric” Valves as Deluge Valves
Usually, the type of a deluge valve is either “clack shut” or elastomeric.

Clack shut deluge valves are characterised by the fact that the flow rate depends on the
inlet pressure. For this reason, if more than one system is in operation, the deluge
systems will interact with each other. It is common to model a clack shut deluge valve
using an equivalent nozzle. For example, if the system including the deluge valve
requires a flowrate of 5697 l/min at a pressure of 9 Bar G, an equivalent nozzle would
have a K-factor of 5697/√9 = 1899 (l/min, Bar1/2). As each deluge system in the ringmain
would have a different K-factor, the nozzles are not normally set up in the nozzle library.
Instead, they are input as “user-defined” nozzles. The minimum and maximum pressures
can be set to any reasonable values.

User defined

Equivalent nozzle

Elastomeric deluge valves, on the other hand, control the downstream pressure.
Consequently, they control the flow rate entering the deluge system. As the flow rate is
fixed during commissioning, this node is treated as an output with a known flow rate.
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Output node Design phase

flowrate

Calculation
phase flowrate

Please see the section below for a clarification of the meaning of Design Phase and
Analysis Phase specifications.

3.3 How to Deal with Multiple Inputs and Outputs

Dealing with multiple inputs and outputs is mainly a matter of learning how to assign
appropriate specifications. The basic mathematical rules are:

Number of inputs + Number of outputs = Number of pressure specifications +

Number of flow-rate specifications
Number of pressure specifications ≥ 1

Please note that nozzles are ignored in the above rules, as all of the specifications for
nozzles are automatically assigned in PIPENET VISION.

The Design Phase

The purpose of the Design Phase is to determine the sizes for pipes whose sizes have
been left unset by the user.

During the Design Phase, flow-rate specifications should be given to all input/output
nodes except one. PIPENET VISION automatically assigns a pressure specification to
one of the input/output nodes, thereby satisfying the basic rules shown above.

The Analysis Phase

The purpose of the Analysis Phase is to determine the flow rates and pressures
throughout the system. During this phase, the specifications for pressure and flow
rate can be given in any combination, provided that the above rules are satisfied.
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Typically, the pressures at the inlet nodes and the flow rates at the outlet nodes would be
known. However, this may not always be the case; for example, if PIPENET VISION is to
be used for pump selection.

It is essential to understand the manner in which specifications are given for firewater
ringmains. For this reason, let us illustrate the basic principles by considering a few
examples of simplified systems.

In the following examples the pipe sizes have already been determined, so only the
Analysis Phase is performed.

3.3.1 A System with Two Fire Pumps and Four Monitors

Input/output nodes are terminal points in the system, and so monitors that are modelled as
“nozzles” do not count as input/output nodes. Therefore, there are two input nodes in the
system.

In practice, we would know the inlet pressures of the pumps. So, for the Analysis
specifications, we can give, say, a pressure of 0 Bar G to both input nodes.
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3.3.2 A System with Two Fire Pumps and Four Outlets

The total number of input/output nodes in this system is six.

Again, we would know the inlet pressures of the pumps. So, we can give, say, a pressure
of 0 Bar G to both input nodes. For the outlets that are working, we give appropriate flow
rates; for the outlets that are not working, we give a flow rate of zero.

3.4 Dealing with Monitors, Hydrants and Hose Reels

These items have known required flow rates and pressures. There are two methods for
dealing with them: Either (a) treat each item as an output, and apply the appropriate flow-
rate specification or (b) convert each item into an equivalent nozzle, using the formula

in which is the flow rate and is the pressure. We can then ensure that the pressure
available at the output node is more than the required pressure.

It is important to be aware of the weaknesses of the output-node approach, which just

shows that the available pressure is more than the required minimum pressure. This
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approach, which would result in the flow rate becoming more than the minimum required,
does not lend itself to studying the interaction between two items.

4 How to Model Firewater Ringmain Systems

4.1 The Objectives

Some of the objectives of modelling firewater ringmain systems are as follows.

 Adequacy of pump performance:

The deluge-system calculations would indicate the system requirements by way of
pressure and flow rate. We need to make sure that the fire pump arrangement can
meet these requirements under a variety of conditions and a variety of demands.
The skill in designing the firewater ringmain system well lies in making sure that it
would work adequately under a wide variety of circumstances.

 Ability to generate sufficient pressure at the inlet to the deluge systems and
other users:
It is not just the sizing of the fire pumps that is important. The pipes have to be
sized adequately too. They must be small enough to reduce the weight and cost,
but large enough to offer acceptable pressure drops.

 Longest piping route by blocking pipes:

Firewater ringmains have isolation valves for maintenance, strainers and so on. It
is often necessary to ensure that the system would work adequately even if an
isolation valve is left closed or a strainer is blocked.

 Integrity of the system if a pipe is broken:

A broken pipe may be important if a firewater ringmain system is being analysed.
For example, if the pipework near the helideck system is broken in a platform with
several levels, it is possible that the deluge systems at the low levels might still work
properly, albeit at a reduced efficiency. The reason is because the elevation
difference might produce enough static head.

 Different fire scenarios:

One of the interesting aspects in the design of a firewater ringmain system is the
fact that the same piping system must work under a wide variety of conditions.
Clearly, it is necessary to perform calculations for a wide variety of fire scenarios.

 Different fire pump scenarios:

Usually, the system is designed in such a way that one or more pumps would be
required to meet the demand. It is important to ensure that this situation is possible.
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4.2 The First Calculation in Analysing Firewater Ringmain Systems

The first calculation is almost always the worst-case scenario. In other words, it is the
case that the system has been designed to cope with. This system could include one or
more deluge systems, monitors, hydrants and so on. It could also include one or more fire
pumps, depending on the operating philosophy. The objective of this calculation is to
ensure that adequate levels of pressure are generated at the different points in the system.
The system might include an overhead tank or may not contain deluge systems, but the
principles of the calculation are the same.

If the inlet pressure is higher than what is required, too much water may flow through the
system. In an extreme case, this flow could lead to the need for a larger fire pump.
Therefore, it may be necessary to restrict the flow rate into a deluge system.

4.3 Subsequent Calculations in Analysing Deluge Systems

Typically, the following calculations will also be performed as part of this exercise. The
reason being that, in the real design environment, the supply side may not be exactly what
is required, or the demand-side requirement may be less or even more than in the worst-
case scenario.

 More users than the worst-case scenario working,

 Fewer users than the worst-case scenario working,

 A fire pump (that is supposed to work) is stopped,

 The effect of a blocked pipe.

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5 Training Example

5.1 The Network Schematic

The network that we shall be working with is shown below. This network schematic was
developed in PIPENET VISION. It is being shown here for illustration purposes only.
Please do not input the network at this stage.

In the above schematic, there is no indication of how the terminal nodes of the system are
going to be treated. The reason is that the treatment of these nodes depends on whether
clack shut deluge valves or elastomeric deluge valves are used.

The steps involved in inputting the data are shown below.

5.2 How to Set Up the Desktop

Please note that much of this section has already been covered in Chapter 2 of the
Spray/Sprinkler Training Manual, entitled “Fire Protection Systems Design – Deluge
Systems”. However, it is worthwhile to work through the steps again.

Open PIPENET VISION, and set up the desktop using the steps that are shown below.

The first step is to use the View Menu to make sure that all four windows are open.
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Select all
windows

Then, move the windows on the desktop so that the screen is similar to that in the diagram
below. Note that you may also need to follow the steps described in the section entitled
“Display Options” below.

Display Options

From Options | Display options, choose the display options that are shown in the
following dialog box.
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The menu style that has been illustrated in this document so far is the Windows Menu
Style (which is used in the diagram below).

Those of you who are experienced users of PIPENET VISION might prefer to use the
menu style that is similar to that of PIPENET Classic. This style may be selected as
follows.

The Windows Menu Style will be used in the remainder of this document.
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5.3 Initialisation and Libraries Stage

5.3.1 Initialisation Stage

For initialisation, please use the Options Menu and select “Module options” (i.e., Options
|Title, as denoted in the PIPENET VISION Training Manuals).

Title

It is recommended that the title should relate to the calculation that is performed,
especially for models that are to be kept. Therefore, choosing an appropriate title could
potentially save a lot of time later when you wish to study the results.
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Spray Options

The above dialog box shows a typical set up, which has been used for the calculations in
this chapter of the training manual. The fluid properties depend on whether water or
seawater is being used as the fire protection medium.

“NFPA 2013” refers to the latest edition of the NPFA rules. The option “NFPA pre-1996”
refers to earlier editions of the NFPA rules published before 1996. The difference lies in
the way that equivalent lengths for fittings are used. In pre-1996 editions, it was assumed
that “Schedule 40” pipes were being used in calculating the values of the equivalent
lengths of fittings. In the later editions of the NFPA rules, there is a correction for the
actual inner diameters for pipes other than “Schedule 40”. The NFPA option is still
retained for historical reasons; it is used to ensure that older data files produce the same
results as before.

For restriction orifices, which may be used in firewater systems, the Crane Option is
generally used. “BS 1042” is a flow-metering standard, and the Heriot-Watt Option is
proprietary Sunrise Systems correlation.

With the Spray Option, all of the nozzles are kept open; with the Sprinkler Option, all of the
nozzles are closed. The sprinkler heads may be opened individually afterwards, if
required.
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Units
A comprehensive range of units is available in PIPENET VISION. In this example, we
shall use metric units, but with l/min for the flow rate.

Please note the “Save as defaults” Button. If you click on this button, the default units on
the specific computer will be set to the units currently shown on the screen. Then,
PIPENET VISION will default to this unit selection every time a new model is created.

The next step is to select the pipe schedule that is to be used. Before performing this
step, we shall take a diversion into the Libraries Menu, and return to options later.
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5.3.2 Libraries (Diversion from Initialisation)

At this point, we take a diversion and set up our library. The Libraries Menu is used to
store items that are likely to be used several times. Typical examples are user-defined
pipe schedules, nozzle data and pump curves. We are considering the modelling of
firewater ringmain systems in this section. As these systems do not contain nozzles (other
than user-defined nozzles), we shall not input nozzle data into the library. However, we
shall input a pipe schedule and a pump performance curve.

In order to access the Libraries Menu, simply click on “Libraries” in the Menu Bar.

Pipe Schedules

As an example, enter the data below for the following pipe schedule (called “NEW
Schedule”).

Nominal Size (mm) Inner Diameter (mm)

100 102
150 154
200 203
250 255
300 303
350 350
400 400

Use the following value for the pipe roughness.

Pipe roughness = 0.0457 mm.

The pipe roughness must be input even if it is not used. It is not used with the Hazen-
Williams Option, but it is used with the Darcy Option.

Choose Libraries | Schedules, and click on New Button. Then enter the data from the
above table, as illustrated below.
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Click on the Apply Button, and then the OK Button.

Pump Data
While we are in the Libraries Menu, we shall enter the following data for the fire pumps.

Fire pump name = Weir type 120/45,

Minimum flow rate = 10000 l/min,
Maximum flow rate = 30000 l/min.

Flow Rate (l/min) Pressure (Bar G)

10000 14.5
20000 12.5
30000 10

Enter this data by choosing Libraries | Pumps – Coeffs. unknown, clicking on the New
Button, and then typing in the data, as indicated below.
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Click on the Apply Button and then the OK Button. When the Apply Button is clicked, the
dialog box will display the pump curve, as shown below.
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5.3.3 Initialisation (Returning from Libraries)

We now return to the initialisation phase. The next step is to select the pipe type.
However, it is worth considering some discussion points beforehand.

The difference between a pipe schedule and a pipe type is as follows. A pipe schedule is
standard pipe data that is entered into a library. A pipe type, on the other hand, is a pipe
schedule (from the library) that is to be used in the current network. It, also, has
associated maximum velocities (or maximum pressure drops per unit length), C-factor and
pipe lining, if applicable. For our network model, we use the following data.

C-factor = 140,
Maximum velocity = 6 m/s,
Lining = none.

To enter this data, choose Options | Pipe types, click on the New Button, and type in the
values.

A short cut for entering the maximum velocity is (a) enter “6 m/s” in one cell, (b) click on
another cell, and (c) click and hold the left button on the cell that has the 6 m/s already
entered, and drag the cursor down over the other cells in the maximum velocity column.
Of course the maximum velocity could also be entered individually in each cell.
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We have already completed the Display Tab. We shall return to the Calculation Tab again
later, but, for the time being, the initialisation and library phases are complete. We can
now return the input phase for the network.

5.4 Network Input

5.4.1 Input of Schematic Drawing

From the Tools Bar, choose the Pipe Tool, which is indicated below.

Pipe Tool

For the data-input stage, it might be preferable to display the grid (by either (a) using the
Grid On/Off Button on the Display Toolbar or (b) ticking the “Display grid” box from
Options | Display options).
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In your schematic diagram, try to use the pipe and node labels that are shown in the
diagrams in this section, as it will then be easier to input the attributes later. It may
be easier if the nodes and links are displayed (using either the Display Tools or Options |
Display options).

Display node Display link

labels labels

In the drawing area, click on a grid point, preferably near the lower left-hand part of the
drawing area.

Drag the tool in the Northeast direction, until you reach the point at which you wish to
change the direction of the pipe, and then press and hold down the Shift Key (on the
keyboard). Click on the left-hand mouse button every time you want to change direction.
(In the network schematic that we are drawing, there are two changes of direction.) When
you want to create the end node, release the Shift Key and click on the left-hand mouse
button.
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Then, to complete the pipe network, draw the other pipes as shown below.
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5.4.2 Input of Pipe Data

The attribute data for the network is shown below.

Pipe Label Diameter (mm) Length (m) Elevation (m) Fittings

1 200 20 5 2 x 90
2 200 20 5 2 x 90
3 200 20 0 1 x Tee
4 200 20 0 1 x Tee
5 200 20 0 1 x Tee
6 200 20 0 1 x Tee
7 200 20 0 1 x Tee
8 200 20 0 1 x Tee
9 200 20 0 1 x Tee
10 100 5 5 1 x Tee, 1 x 90
11 100 5 0 1 x Tee
12 100 5 -5 1 x Tee, 1 x 90
13 100 5 0 1 x Tee
14 100 5 0 1 x Tee
15 100 5 0 1 x Tee
16 100 5 0 1 x Tee
17 100 5 0 1 x Tee

As this example is created for training purposes, the data for pipes and fittings is not
realistic. It is geared towards practising fast data entry using capabilities such as global
edit, copy/paste, etc.

This data can, of course, be entered using either the Properties Window or a Data
Window.

We shall now revise how to enter the diameters quickly. Firstly, under the Data Tab of a
Data Window, choose “200” from the pull-down menu in the Diameter Column for Pipe 1,
as shown below.
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Next, click on any other cell in the Data Window, and then click on the cell with the
diameter of 200 mm again. Right click on that cell, and choose “Paste in column” from the
context-sensitive menu. The Data Window will now appear as shown below.
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According to the pipe data in the table above, Pipes 10 to 17 inclusive have diameters of
100 mm (and not 200 mm, as we have set). Use the following steps to obtain the 200mm
diameters quickly. Firstly, choose a diameter of 100 mm for Pipe 10. Next, click on any
other cell, and then click on the diameter cell for Pipe 10 again. Next, use the right-hand
mouse button and select “Copy”.
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Then, highlight the pipes to which this diameter is to be pasted, right-click, and select
“Paste”.
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The Data Window should then look as follows.

Enter the other data for the pipes in the same way. The Data Window should then look as
shown below.
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5.4.3 Input of Fittings

We gain access to the fittings by clicking on the Fittings Tab of the Properties Window.

Fittings Tab

To add the two 90-degree-elbow fittings to Pipe 1, begin by clicking on Pipe 1 in the
Schematic Window. Next, in the Fittings Window, select “90 deg elbow” and then click on
the Add Button twice.
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In a similar manner, we can input the pipe fittings (which are shown in the table of pipe
data above).

5.4.4 Input of Pumps

The next step is to input the pumps. Select the Pump Tool from the Tools Toolbar and
draw the two pumps.

Then, select each pump in turn, and choose “Fire Pump 1” from the pull-down menu in the
Properties Window, as illustrated below.
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Choose the
fire pump

The initial stage of inputting the network is now complete. From this point, the clack-shut
valve-based system and elastomeric-valve-based system become different. In Section 5.5
below, we consider aspects that are specific to clack-shut-valve-based systems, and, in
Section 5.6, we consider elastomeric-valve-based systems.

5.5 Systems Based on Clack Shut Type Deluge Valves

The requirements for the clack-shut valve-based system are described in this section.

5.5.1 Monitors
Monitors are attached to Nodes 12 and 13, and the data for these monitors is as follows.

K – factor = 2500 (l/min, Bar1/2),

Required flow rate = 5000 l/min,
Minimum pressure = 1 Bar G,
Maximum pressure = 20 Bar G.

5.5.2 Deluge Systems

Nodes 14, 15 and 16 are attached to deluge systems, for which the following data is
applicable.

Node Number Flow Rate (l/min) Pressure (Bar)

14 10000 7
15 12000 6.5
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16 8000 7.3

The above requirements at nodes 14, 15 and 16 can be converted into equivalent nozzles
by using the formula in Section 3.4 (namely, that the equivalent K-factor is equal to the
flow rate divided by the square root of the pressure).

Node Number Equivalent K-factor (l/min, Bar1/2)

14 3779.6
15 4706.8
16 2960.9

As the nozzles in the system are not real nozzles, the minimum and maximum pressure for
the equivalent nozzles can be arbitrarily set to 1 Bar and 20 Bar respectively.

All of above data for these five items should be input as user-defined nozzle data.

We add nozzles to the nodes, and assign user-defined attributes to these nozzles as
shown below.

The Properties Window for Nozzle 1 is as follows.

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After all of the equivalent nozzles have been input, the Data Window for the nozzles is as
shown below.
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5.5.3 Assignment of Specifications

In this system, there are two input/output nodes, both of which are inputs. As both nodes
are inputs to the pumps, a pressure specification of 0 Bar G is applied at each node.

The total required output flow rate from the system is 40,000 l/min. Therefore, we can
assign 20,000 l/min to one input (as there are two inputs). This value is also consistent
with the pump curve data being halfway between the minimum flow rate and maximum
flow rate.

The dialog boxes for the two input nodes are shown below.

Finally, we must make sure that the type of calculation to be performed has been set to
“User Defined” (since specifications for the inlet pressures have been given). Typically,
the option for firewater ringmains is user-defined specifications.

The other three options (namely, the Most Remote Nozzle, Area Coverage and Nozzle
Flow Rate options) are typically used with deluge systems. The only exception is the
pump selection case with firewater ringmain systems, in which case, the Most Remote
Nozzle option would typically be used.
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5.5.4 The Simulations

Scenario 1: All Three Deluge Systems, the Two Monitors and the Two Pumps are
Working

The network has now been completely specified, and all the systems are working.
Therefore, the data that we have already input is sufficient, and so the calculation can be
carried out.
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If we look at the results for this calculation, we can see that the monitors are discharging
too much water, and the deluge systems are under-performing. We need to investigate
this behaviour by looking at the velocities in the pipes.

It is clear that the velocities in most of the pipes are too high. We can, therefore, consider
increasing (a) the diameters of the 200 mm pipes to 300 mm and (b) the diameters of the
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100 mm pipes to 200mm. We can easily carry out this change by copying and pasting in
the Data Window.

The new results are shown below.

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The results are now satisfactory, and so we shall use the increased diameters for all
subsequent calculations.

Scenario 2: All Three Deluge Systems and the Two Pumps are Working

We turn off the two monitors simply by switching off the nozzles. This change can be
made using either a Data Window or the Properties Window.

Nozzle is turned off

The flow rates in the nozzles are shown below.

Scenario 3: All Three Deluge Systems are Working, but Only One Pump is Running

The data for this scenario is the same as that for Scenario 2, except that one of the pumps
is switched off.
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The volumetric flow rates throughout the system are shown below.

The nozzle deviations are shown below.

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Scenario 4: All Three Deluge Systems are Working, but Only One Pump is Running,
and Pipe 8 is Blocked

We use the Properties Window to change the status of Pipe 8, as illustrated below.

Blocked pipe

Pipe 8 now appears as a dashed line in the Schematic Window.

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Blocked pipe

The pipe volumetric flow rates are as follows.

The nozzle deviations and node pressures are shown in the diagram below.
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5.6 Systems Based on Elastomeric Type Deluge Valves

The system demands are the same as above. However, the manner in which the deluge
systems are handled is quite different.

5.6.1 Monitors
Nodes 12 and 13 have monitors attached to them, and the data is as follows.

K-factor = 2500 (l/min, Bar1/2),

Required flow rate = 5000 l/min,
Minimum pressure = 1 Bar G,
Maximum pressure = 20 Bar G.

The monitors do not normally have elastomeric valves, and so they are modelled in the
same way as before (namely, as nozzles).

5.6.2 Deluge Systems

Nodes 14, 15 and 16 are attached to deluge systems, with the following data.

Node Number Flow Rate (l/min) Pressure (Bar)

14 10000 7
15 12000 6.5
16 8000 7.3
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As the deluge valves are of the elastomeric type, the flow rates are fixed, and so we
cannot model them as nozzles. What we need to do is the following. We can set the flow
rates at the deluge systems. The pressure generated by the pumps at the outputs should
be at least equal to the system-demand pressure plus the minimum pressure drop in the
elastomeric valve. As long as the pressure generated by the pump is higher than this
threshold pressure, the deluge system can be expected to work satisfactorily.

The schematic is shown below.

5.6.3 Assignment of Specifications

In this system, there are two input nodes. As before, these nodes operate at 0 Bar G (as
they are the inputs to the pumps).

The dialog boxes for the two input nodes are shown below.

The following specifications apply to the three output nodes.

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5.6.4 The Simulations

Scenario 5: All Three Deluge Systems, the Two Monitors and the Two Pumps are
Working

The specifications that are described above are sufficient for running the calculation, and
the results are as follows.
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Scenario 6: All Three Deluge Systems and the Two Pumps are Working

We turn off the two monitors by simply switching off the nozzles (which is carried out using
either a Data Window or the Properties Window). The results are as shown below.
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Scenario 7: All Three Deluge Systems are Working, but Only One Pump is Running

The data is the same as that for Scenario 6, except that pump 2 is turned off.

The results for this scenario are shown below.

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Scenario 8: All Three Deluge Systems are Working, but Only One Pump is Running,
and Pipe 8 is Blocked

The following results are obtained for this scenario.

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6 Pump Selection Techniques

6.1 Clack Shut Deluge Valve Systems (Scenario 9)

Naturally, this system will have no pumps. For a system with one pump, we use the most
remote nozzle option. The inlet node will have no operating condition associated with it.

The logic of using the most remote nozzle option is that the smallest pump would be the
one that meets the requirement of the most remote nozzle exactly.

Reusing the schematic from scenario 1 (before the pipe diameters were changed), delete
pump 1, pipe 1 and pipe 9 and merge nodes 2 and 4 to duplicate the network depicted in
the rest of the scenario.

Node 3 will be set as the input node into the system. We are using the most remote nozzle
specification and the flow rate required at the most remote nozzle will be used as an
Analysis specification. Hence we are not required to input any specifications in this present
scenario.
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The resulting nozzle deviations are as follows.

We note that the smallest pump that would meet the demand exactly would have the
following operating point.

Flow rate = 45122 l/min,

Pressure = 19.512 Bar.

This information can be used to choose the pump.

We note, in passing, that one nozzle has a deviation of exactly 0%, thereby confirming that
this is the smallest pump that would satisfy the requirement.

6.2 Elastomeric Deluge Valve Systems (Scenario 10)

We have to guess which output node is the one where it is most difficult to meet the
requirement, and set both the pressure and flow rate at that node. At the other output
nodes, we simply set the flow rate. As before, the inlet node will have no operating
condition associated with it.

Node Number Flow Rate (l/min) Pressure (Bar)

14 10000 7
15 12000 6.5
16 8000 7.3
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We guess that Node 16, with required flowrate of 8000 l/min and pressure of 7.3 Bar G, is
probably the most difficult to satisfy. Nodes 14 and 15 will be set flow rate specifications.
Note, the larger diameter pipes from scenario 1 (scenario01_pipechange.sdf) are used in
the following scenario. You will have to repeat the modifications for single input flow again.

First of all, we confirm that our guess of the worst output node is correct. As can be seen
from the following schematic, the pressures at all of the output nodes are more than is
required.

We then note that the required inlet conditions are as follows.

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Flow rate = 43089.2l/min,

Pressure = 9.11 Bar G.

These conditions enable us to determine the required pump size.

7 Some Hints and Tips for Refining the Design

Good design is not a matter of ensuring that the system works. Good design is about
making sure that the system works in the best possible way.

For example, if a fire pump is larger than required, it is not necessarily true that the pump
is good. The firewater ringmain system may be supplied from a water tank, in which case
the tank may drain more quickly than necessary, thereby requiring a bigger tank. Even if
the firewater pump is not supplied from a tank, if it generates a pressure that is higher than
necessary, a deluge system may discharge at a greater flow rate than is necessary,
leading to greater power consumption. In an extreme case, this might lead to the need for
a bigger pump.

For these reasons, it is better to perform a small number of additional calculations to

ensure that the system works in the optimal manner.

In this section, we look at some techniques for refining the system. For the sake of
convenience, we add pipes to the inlet of the pumps. The system now looks as shown
below. Using the model from scenario 5, add two pipes to the inlet of the pumps with the
specifications below (and with a tee fitting) and note also to change the inlet nodes in the
system and replace the two nozzles with outlet nodes (nodes 12 and 13).
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Please note that the use of equivalent nozzles for modelling clack valves is useful as a
simulation tool for studying the interaction between systems. However, for design and
design refinement, it is often better to treat the connections to the deluge systems as
outlets. In the section, we shall adopt the method of using outlets.

At all of the outlets, the flow rates are set to their minimum required values. From the
results of the initial calculation (with no additional restriction), which are shown below, we
see the following levels of over pressurisation.
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We note that the following are the requirements for the pressures at the output nodes.

Node Minimum Pressure Actual Pressure Deviation

Number (Bar G) (Bar G) (Bar)
12 4 {= (5000/2500)2} 10.77 6.77
13 4 {= (5000/2500)2} 10.77 6.77
14 7 11.07 4.07
15 6.5 10.98 4.48
16 7.3 11.14 3.84

Note that the minimum pressures for Nodes 12 and 13 are obtained using the formula in
Section 3.4, with a flow rate of 5000 l/min and a K-factor of 2500 (l/min, Bar1/2). Please
save this file as it will be required as the basis for the remaining scenarios.

7.1 Use of Overboard Dump Valves (Scenario 11)

In PIPENET VISION, this term could represent any device that fixes the pressure by
bypassing water flowing out of the fire pump. It could also be used for an overboard dump
valve on an offshore platform or an FPSO, or it could be used for a PCV, and so on.

One of the most important questions is “How do we select the overboard dump valve, and
what should its set point be?”

We note from the above table that the critical node from a pressure point of view is
Node 16, and it has an excess pressure of 3.84 Bar. So, the maximum reduction that we
can have in the pressure of the system is 3.84 Bar. In other words, if we dropped the
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pressure in the system by more than 3.84 Bar, Node 16 would not receive its required
pressure.

On the supply side, we note that the fire pumps have an average discharge pressure of
approximately 12.287 Bar G. So, this pressure must be reduced by 3.84 Bar to 8.447 Bar
G. We can achieve this reduction by placing overboard dump valves on Nodes 1 and 3,
and setting their pressures to 8.447 Bar G.
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The results of the calculation can be seen below. Please note that Node 16 satisfies its
required pressure of 7.3 Bar G, but the pressures at all of the other output nodes are
above their required values.

The pipe volumetric flow rates are illustrated below.

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The following procedure could be adopted for selecting the overboard dump valves.
The fire pump inlet and outlet pipes have flow rates of around 33518 l/min and 20000 l/min
respectively. Therefore, we conclude that the overboard dump valve should dump about
13518 l/min at a pressure of 8.447 Bar G.

It can be seen that the overboard dump valve can be used for the dual role of ensuring
that the pressure in the system does not exceed the design pressure, as well as restricting
excess flow rates.

7.2 Use of Orifice Plates (Scenario 12)

It is clear that using overboard dump valves does not restrict the flow to individual demand
points. Orifice plates can be used for this purpose.

Node Minimum Pressure Actual Pressure Deviation

Number (Bar G) (Bar G) (Bar)
12 4 {= (5000/2500)2} 10.77 6.77
13 4 {= (5000/2500)2} 10.77 6.77
14 7 11.07 4.07
15 6.5 10.98 4.48
16 7.3 11.14 3.84

The orifice plates, therefore, should produce the following restrictive pressure drops.

Pipe Label Required Pressure Drop (Bar)

13 6.77
14 6.77
15 4.07
16 4.48
17 3.84

To achieve these pressure drops, place orifice plates on all the relevant pipes, and specify
the required pressure drops.
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This scenario results in virtually the exact required performance from the system.

The orifice plate details are shown below.

7.3 Use of Bypass Valves (Scenario 13)

The basic objective might be to ensure that a pump (which might be bigger than the
minimum requirement) does not cause a water tank to drain too quickly.

Attach two bypass lines to the model, as shown in the diagram below.
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Use the following data for Pipes 20 and 21.

Use the Equipment Item Tool to place a restriction on the bypass line.
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Equipment item

Set the equivalent length of both equipment items to be 20 m.

The pressures at the nodes are as follows.

The calculated results for the bypass line are shown below. The network can now be fine
tuned as required.
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8 Example of a Real Firewater Ringmain

In this section, we look at an example of a real system, which is included only as a matter
of interest (and is not a training example that is to be input by the user). Please note that
the screenshots in this section were not obtained using the most recent version of the
PIPENET VISION Spray/Sprinkler Module.
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