If Engine 1 is on a hydrant supplying 600 ft of 5-inch hose to Engine 2, which is pumping 1200 gallons/min, what is the pump discharge pressure, calculated using the Q formula?
Answer: C — 90 psi
To calculate the pump discharge pressure when using the Q formula, it's essential to first understand the relationship between flow rate, hose diameter, and pressure loss. The Q formula is expressed as: \[ Q = \frac{{\text{C}} \cdot \text{D}^2 \cdot \text{P}}{100} \] Where: - \( Q \) is the flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm), - \( C \) is a constant depending on the material and condition of the hose (for a standard fire hose, this can be taken as approximately 0.2 for calculation purposes), - \( D \) is the diameter of the hose in inches, - \( P \) is the pressure in psi. In this scenario, you have the following information: - Engine 2 is pumping 1200 gallons per minute (gpm), - The hose diameter is 5 inches, - The length of the hose is 600 feet. To calculate the pressure required at the pump discharge, you have to account for the flow and the friction loss through the 5-inch hose over that distance. The friction loss formula for a smooth bore hose is often approximated as: \[ \text{F