Calculate required fire flow and hydrant test flow in GPM from building dimensions, exposures, burning floors, and water pressures.

Fire Flow Calculator

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Required Fire Flow
Hydrant Flow Test
Used by the Iowa volume method.
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Fire Flow Formula

The following two formulas are the two most common formulas used to calculate fire flow. 

RFF = (L*W*H) / 100 (ISU Method)
RFF = (L*W) / 3 (NFA Method)
  • Where RFF is the required fire flow (GPM)
  • L is the length (feet)
  • W is the width (feet)
  • H is the height (feet, used in the ISU method)

For the NFA method, multiply the length by the width, then divide by 3. For the ISU method, multiply the length by the width by the height, then divide by 100.

Fire Flow Definition

What is fire flow? Fire flow is a measure of the total rate of water flow required to suppress a fire. Fire flow is most often expressed in gallons per minute. It's often used as a rough estimate as opposed to an exact measure.

Example Problem

How to calculate fire flow?

  1. First, determine the length of the area on fire.

    For this example, the length is 10 ft.

  2. Next, determine the width of the area.

    For this example, the width is 20 ft.

  3. Next, determine the height.

    In this problem the height is 8 ft.

  4. Finally, calculate the fire flow.

    Using the formula (ISU method): 10*20*8/100 = 16 gpm