The purpose of a flow rate and pressure measurement (also called Q/P measurement) on a water supply is to assess whether the quantity of water provided by this network is sufficient to supply an automatic sprinkler extinguishing system.
Most of the time, this flow rate and pressure measurement is conducted on the public water supply, but it can also be done on a private site.
The purpose of a flow rate and pressure measurement (also called Q/P measurement) is to assess whether the quantity of water provided by this network is sufficient to supply an automatic sprinkler extinguishing system or other fire protection equipment (specific requirements for first response equipment).
According to the 'Requirements for fixed automatic hydraulic extinguishing systems,' especially article 1.2.1 on 'Installation intake conditions,' published by ASSURALIA (the professional union of insurance companies), only ANPI is authorised by ASSURALIA to measure flow rates and pressure on the public water supply system.
The FID department has the competent personnel and the appropriate calibrated measurement devices to record these flow rates and pressures.
FID contacts the water company that covers the area in question.
- on the water supply system, to which the sprinkler installation will be connected, a pressure gauge is placed on a hydrant, and one or two flow meters are connected to another hydrant;
- the static pressure (zero flow) is recorded;
- a maximum flow rate is conducted. If the difference between the static pressure and the residual pressure is sufficient, five intermediate measurements are conducted.
We make the distinction between a grid-type public water distribution network and a non-grid network. In the case of a non-grid network, the above procedure is only conducted once. In the case of a grid network, this procedure is repeated each time after the closing of one or more shutoff valves along the public water supply system. An inspection report is drawn up based on the data collected. It also includes the corresponding flow rate/pressure curve(s), as well as the formula used to calculate any pressure for a given flow rate in a measured range, and a diagram of the water supply indicating the measurement points and the location where the sprinkler installation is connected, based on the database provided by the water company.
Flow rate and pressure measurement on a private extinguishing water supply. For first-response hydraulic protection installations, such as hydrants and Fire Hose Cabinets, it is rare for these pieces of equipment to undergo acceptance testing. Yet, feedback from firefighting training frequently implicates the poor operation of this equipment during a fire. We attach great importance to the in situ performance of this installed equipment and particularly to its flow rates and pressure characteristics when several devices are used at the same time. These tests are used to guarantee their efficiency when it is really needed (emergencies and fires). The conclusion of our reports highlights the need to implement a booster pump in several cases.
The purpose of a flow rate and pressure measurement (also called Q/P measurement) on a private extinguishing water supply is to assess whether the quantity of water provided by this network is sufficient to be a water supply source.
The FID department has the competent personnel and the appropriate calibrated measurement devices to record these flow rates and pressures.
The FID measures flow rates and pressures as follows:
- on the pipe network, a pressure gauge is placed on a hydrant, and one or two flow meters are connected to another hydrant;
- the static pressure (zero flow) is recorded;
- a maximum flow rate is conducted. If the difference between the static pressure and the residual pressure is sufficient, five intermediate measurements are conducted.
We make the distinction between a grid-type water pipe network and a non-grid network. In the case of a non-grid network, the above procedure is only conducted once. In the case of a grid network, this procedure is repeated each time after the closing of one or more shutoff valves along the pipe network. An inspection report is drawn up based on the data collected. It also includes the corresponding flow rate/pressure curve(s), as well as a diagram of the pipe network indicating the measurement points, based on the database provided by the water company.
