ISO Needed Fire Flow

HERO · Sep 15, 2007

Hi,

On page 205 of the SFPE Ref. Manu, on the sample question/answer: They calculate C (Construction factor) as: C = 18F(Ai)^1/2, where F = construction class coefficient, Ai = effective building area.

SFPE calculates Ai = (80 x 40) + 0.5 x 3 x 80 x 40

Each floor area is 80' x 40'. Under NFPA H/B sec. 10.4, for class 1 construction, Ai is effective building area plus 50% of all other floors.

Question: Where did SFPE come up with the 3 factor in calculating the Ai?

Thank you in advance,

Mark

Capt Worley PE · Sep 17, 2007

The SFPE manual has many mistakes, this may be one of them.

This, and lack of practice problems are why I decided to go mechanical rather than fire protection.

I can't help you, but I'll try and pas it on.

HERO · Sep 18, 2007

Captain Worley said:
The SFPE manual has many mistakes, this may be one of them.
This, and lack of practice problems are why I decided to go mechanical rather than fire protection.

I can't help you, but I'll try and pas it on.

The book is inundated with errors. A majority of the errors are focused in Division 6 (Water based suppression systems). There are a few errors in division 11 (Bldg construction) and a couple in Division 1/2.

If I ever pass this test, I will be the happiest man alive!

Capt Worley PE · Sep 18, 2007

HERO said:
The book is inundated with errors. A majority of the errors are focused in Division 6 (Water based suppression systems). There are a few errors in division 11 (Bldg construction) and a couple in Division 1/2.If I ever pass this test, I will be the happiest man alive!

Not only that, but the code editions are always in flux and I don't know if the tests will truly be based on the latest code. The seismic in 13 has substantially changed.

I just couldn't see going FPE with so may things in flux. Bending due to forces on a beam won't change from year to year like code does.

Best of luck.

HERO · Sep 19, 2007

Captain Worley said:
Not only that, but the code editions are always in flux and I don't know if the tests will truly be based on the latest code. The seismic in 13 has substantially changed.
I just couldn't see going FPE with so may things in flux. Bending due to forces on a beam won't change from year to year like code does.

Best of luck.

I earned my Mechanical PE in 2004. The concepts will always remain there for a long time.

FPE is a high specialized and evolving engineering science. The codes reflect changes made in consensus within government, academia, and industry. It’s a good field to into. For engineers to make that effort to earn that second lic is a challange not beucase its easy but because its hard and its viable. Earning that lic can be done.