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Fire Suppression Tank Sizing & Design

Sizing your Fire Water Tank

Calculating the capacity of a fire water tank involves specific numerical values and considerations tailored to the unique characteristics of a building. Here, we'll provide some specific numerical examples however It's important to note that these specific numbers are illustrative and that actual requirements can vary greatly depending on the unique characteristics of each building, its location, and the applicable codes and standards. The involvement of a fire protection engineer is crucial to accurately determine the specific tank capacity needed for a given building.

Hazard Level Assessment:

Buildings are categorized into hazard levels, ranging from low to high. For example, a low-hazard building, like a small office, might require a minimum water supply of 500 gallons per minute (gpm), while a high-hazard industrial facility could require 1,500 gpm or more.

Building Size and Layout:

Larger buildings require larger tank capacities. A medium-sized shopping mall might necessitate a fire water tank with a capacity of 50,000 gallons, whereas a high-rise building could require a tank with a capacity exceeding 100,000 gallons.

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Expected Firefighting Duration:

The expected firefighting duration can vary greatly depending on the building's characteristics. For instance, a warehouse with significant fire risks might require water reserves to sustain firefighting efforts for 2 hours or more, necessitating a tank capacity of 200,000 gallons or more.

NFPA Guidelines:

NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 provide specific guidelines for calculating water supply requirements. For example, NFPA 13 might specify that a sprinkler system in an office building should have a water supply of at least 500 gpm for 30 minutes, requiring a tank capacity of 15,000 gallons.

 

Fire Protection Engineer Expertise:

Fire protection engineers use advanced calculations and simulations to determine exact water requirements. They might recommend a tank capacity of 75,000 gallons for a manufacturing plant with specific fire risks based on their analysis.

 

Local Building Codes and Regulations:

Local regulations can vary widely, but for example, a municipal code may require a minimum tank capacity of 50,000 gallons for a high-rise residential building, ensuring adequate firefighting capabilities in that jurisdiction.

 

It's important to note that these specific numbers are illustrative and that actual requirements can vary greatly depending on the unique characteristics of each building, its location, and the applicable codes and standards. The involvement of a fire protection engineer is crucial to accurately determine the specific tank capacity needed for a given building.

Call 772-205-6303

For immediate assistance, call: 772-205-6303 during business hours are Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm (Eastern Time). Rest assured that a knowledgeable and friendly team member will respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible within these hours. 

About One Clarion

One Clarion is a privately held family-owned business that supplies liquid storage solutions and environmental technical products.

Based in Florida, our dedicated team has in-depth knowledge about water trailers to help supply our customers with the right water trailer product. But we do more than just sell water transport products. Customer service is important to us. We never seek to be a company that is simply transactional—we work with you to fully understand your needs to best help you in your situation today and in the future.

What We Do

One Clarion partners with trusted liquid storage vendors to supply you with some of the most well-known brands and products on the market. We provide water trailers, tank sprayers, fuel trailers, liquid storage tanks, fuel trailers, and numerous trailer accessories. If you need a construction trailer, water sprayer or Generac generator, you'll find that here too. 

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