1. What is a Fire Truck Pump Flow Rate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the water flow rate (in gallons per minute) that a fire truck pump can deliver based on pump horsepower, efficiency, total head, and fluid density.

Purpose: It helps firefighting professionals determine the pumping capacity of fire truck equipment for emergency response planning.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (gallons per minute)
• \( HP \) — Pump horsepower
• \( \eta \) — Pump efficiency (dimensionless, 0-1)
• \( H \) — Total head (feet)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (pounds per gallon)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much water the pump can move based on its power, efficiency, the height it needs to push water, and the water's density.

3. Importance of Pump Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate flow rate estimation ensures fire trucks can deliver adequate water supply during emergencies and helps in equipment selection and maintenance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the pump horsepower, efficiency (default 0.75 for 75% efficiency), total head in feet, and fluid density (default 8.34 lb/gal for water). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the constant 3960 in the formula?
A: This is a conversion factor that combines various unit conversions to give the result in gallons per minute.

Q2: What's a typical pump efficiency for fire trucks?
A: Most fire truck pumps operate at 70-80% efficiency (0.7-0.8 in the calculator).

Q3: How do I determine total head?
A: Total head includes elevation change, friction loss in hoses, and nozzle pressure requirements.

Q4: When would fluid density change?
A: Density changes with water temperature or if using firefighting foam solutions.

Q5: What's a typical flow rate for fire truck pumps?
A: Most modern fire truck pumps can deliver 750-1500 GPM, but this varies by equipment.