The H-Factor

Fitting Lengths in HydraCALC - Why don't they match what's in the database?

This from a customer in Sweden (paraphrased). This in metric, but the math is the same in US units:

On the Fittings Used Summary, it says that a 65mm Tee has the equivalent pipe length 3.8m but in the calculation says 7.497m. And it´s the same for a 65mm 90 degree screwed elbow...the equivalent pipe length says 0.88m but in the final calculation on page 4 it says 1,736m

Why are these numbers different? And how can we change so that they are the same?

The answer lies in NFPA (where else?).

Paragraph 22.4.3.1.3.1 of NFPA13:2010 states that for internal diameters other than Schedule 40 steel pipe the equivalent lengths given in Table 22.4.3.1.1 must be adjusted according to the formula given in that paragraph. The next paragraph (22.4.3.1.3.2) states that this new value must be further adjusted by the C-Factor if no C=120. Fittings whose values are supplied by a manufacturer that has already adjusted them do not need to be further adjusted.

These two adjustments change the equivalent length stored in HydraCALC's Pipe/Fittings data. So, these two calculation reports the customer is referring to often display different values.

This can be turned off, however, for those jurisdictions that do not require such an adjustment, or for fittings that have already been adjusted by the manufacturer.

When the job is calculated, you can deselect the Auto Adjust Fittings Lengths option. This will give you the stored database values:

This option resets itself with each calculation, but you can turn that option off by default by using the Edit User Options tool in the Options drop down menu:

Set the Auto Adjust Fittings option to False

This adjustment can also be blocked when inputting new pipe and fittings into the Pipe/Fittings data. The highlighted column is named Y/N Mark. An 'N'' means to not adjust the fitting as mentioned above. This is most prevalent with CPVC fittings, as the manufacturers publish values that take the pipe diameter into account.

Additional information can be found in this blog post: How Fitting Equivalent Length Modifiers Work

Hydratec Learning Resources

We have an ever-expanding repertoire of support options. Here is the menu:

For All Programs:

HydraCARDs: A Knowledge Base of all known solutions to problems users might encounter can be accessed from the HydraCARDs shortcut on the desktop or this link: HydraCARDs

This blog has entries for hundreds of topics on all of our programs, in addition to Microsoft, Autodesk and General Technology topics

Blog: https://hydratec.blogs.com/the_h_factor/

Index of Blog Topics: https://www.hydratecinc.com/topics

Getting the Latest Versions

Note: The Hydratec Customer Area can be accessed from our Homepage. Pick the Login button at upper right. You will then see a button to Login to ShareFile. This blog post covers how to set up an account and use our customer support area: Using the Hydratec Subscription Center

HydraCAD for AutoCAD

Manual: An electronic manual is placed on your computer when you install the software. You can access the HydraCAD manual on the Documentation flyout of the HydraCAD dropdown menu

Tutorials: An electronic set of tutorials is placed on your computer when you install the software. You can access the HydraCAD tutorials on the Documentation flyout of the HydraCAD dropdown menu

Help File: The help file can be accessed from the last item on the HydraCAD dropdown menu. All dialog boxes in HydraCAD have Help buttons which will display the help file pages for that topic

Instructional Videos: These are found in two places. Some videos are placed on your computer when you install the software. You will find these on the Documentation flyout in the How-to Videos on that flyout. Additional, very extensive Instructional Videos are found online in our ShareFile download area. Your company has access to this site and you may allow multiple users to sign up through our website. They are found in the HydraCAD->Instructional Videos folder on that site

How-To-Documents: These are also installed and can be found on the Documentation flyout of the HydraCAD pulldown menu in the How-to Documents and How-to Videos item

Knowledge Base: The HydraCARDs knowledge base of all known solutions to problems users might encounter can be accessed from the HydraCAD dropdown menu via the Support Flyout

HydraCALC

Manual: An electronic manual is placed on your computer when you install the software. You can access the HydraCALC manual from the Help dropdown menu

Tutorials: Five tutorials are found in the above HydraCALC manual

Help File: The help file can be accessed from the Help dropdown menu

Instructional Videos: These are found in two places. Some videos are placed on your computer when you install the software. You will find these on the Help dropdown menu. Additional, very extensive Instructional Videos are found online in our ShareFile download area. Your company has access to this site and you may allow multiple users to sign up through our website. They are found in the HydraCALC->Instructional Videos folder on that site

Knowledge Base: The HydraCARDs knowledge base of all known solutions to problems users might encounter can be accessed from the Help dropdown menu

HydraLIST

Manual: Electronic manuals are placed on your computer when you install the software. You can access the HydraLIST manuals from the Help dropdown menu

Tutorials: A tutorial is found in the above HydraLIST manual

Help File: The help file can be accessed from the Help dropdown menu

Instructional Videos: Extensive Instructional Videos are found online in our ShareFile download area. Your company has access to this site and you may allow multiple users to sign up through our website. They are found in the HydraLIST->Instructional Videos folder on that site

Knowledge Base: The HydraCARDs knowledge base of all known solutions to problems users might encounter can be accessed from the desktop shortcut

 

More Than 200 Passes Error in HydraCALC and Using the Find Disconnect Tool

Occasionally users may get a 'Job has gone 200 or more passes without balancing." error message. This means, usually, that there are disconnected pipes in the job (pipes that may have flow in them, but do not connect to the piping between the Remote Point). You can try picking Yes to have it continue to try, but that usually doesn't work to resolve the situation.

Take a look at the calculation below. If you look long enough, and trace the piping, you can see what wrong.

In a bigger job, however, that can be difficult. But there is a tool to help.

In the Utilities dropdown menu, the tool is Find Special Disconnect

Select it, and you will be given a dialog with a few options. Select the Show Disconnected option and then pick Find Disconnects. This should notify you of the 'orphaned' pipe. In the capture below, it appears a block of piping related to reference point H and reference point I is a bit adrift.

Another tool is the Show Potentials option. Selecting that gives a list of nodes that might need to be connected to the rest

Picking the Highlight Potentials button displays this graphically, to help you see better where the piping in question lies.

Adding a pipe that connects G and H will resolve the problem.

Note: There are other reasons to get the original error, but our programmers have resolved a few of them, so they should not present themselves on your machine.

 

Managing the HydraCALC Database

We regularly update the HydraCALC database to add and make changes to fittings, pipe types, valves, backflow preventors and technical data sheets in PDF format for all of these.

We make this database available for download in the Customer Support area of our website, which can be found at www.HydraCAD.com. Enter the Customer Support area by picking the Login button at the upper right of our home page. Then, navigate to the folder seen below by selecting HydraCALC, then Complete Data Update

Download the .zip file to a location on your hard drive. Then, extract the contents to a new folder on a drive. Then, run the SETUP.EXE to install the new data.

Note that this will replace any changes you may have made to our database. So, you may want to keep a copy of your changes so that you can reapply them. Or, simply request that we add the items you may have modified to our regular database, and that way you will not have to worry about that.

The key database file which users may have modified for HydraCALC is Master.DAT which resides in the \HES\HydraCALC\Ver50\Data\Setup folder. This file contains all your pipe, fitting and valve data and is well worth protecting. This file is automatically backed up when you run the Complete Data Update, but we suggest that you back this file up whenever you make your own changes and keep the backup in a distant and safe location.

Viewing Product Data Sheets in HydraCALC

Most users do not realize that HydraCALC has long had the ability for users to look at the tech data sheets for pipe, fittings and curves. These are accessed through the Alter Pipe and Fittings command in the Utilities drop down menu.

 

To view the tech data sheets:

1. Pick the Utilities drop down menu
   
   
2. Pick Alter Pipe and Fittings

You will see some items in black and some in red. the black ones have PDF tech data sheets assigned to them, the red do not (yet).

To view the tech sheet

    3. Select the item you want to view the sheet for (I usually select the number at the far left, to avoid making data changes.

    4. Pick the View PDF button (second from right)

This brings up the tech data sheet!

Notes

Note 1: If you do not see fittings that appear here, or are looking for updated or new ones, you can download the latest from our Support Site or run the latest HydraCALC Update. You will be given an option to update your system with the latest data

Note 2: Users have the ability to reference their own data sheets and add ones as well. However, the tool we include for this can be complex and hard to work with. So, please feel free to ask us to update or add tech data sheets for any items you use or find incorrect. Thanks!

More info:

To see how to reference fittings, here is a blog post showing an example. Again, feel free to ask us to add the fittings for you: How to Add Fittings in HydraCALC

To see how to add new pump or device curves, see this: Creating Pressure Curves in HydraCALC

To see how to have pipe types show up in the pipe selection window, see this: Choosing which Pipe Types appear in HydraCALC

Autopeaking a Grid

Tutorial #5 in the HydraCALC manual explains how to use HydraCALC-Sizer to automatically build a grid based on some simple inputs. The grid it builds is ready to be AutoPeaked. Aside from that, how does AutoPeaking work in HydraCALC? And what is AutoPeaking?

NFPA-13 Section 22.4.4.4 addresses gridded systems. It states that the designer must verify that the hydraulically most demanding area is being used. Further, it states that at least two immediately adjacent areas on either side along the same branch lines be calculated to prove that the one of them is that hydraulically most demanding area. Third, it states that a computer program that shows the peaking is acceptable based on a single set of calculations. This is where the term 'AutoPeaking' comes from.

In the days before AutoPeaking, (and still, sometimes), we would pick a remote area on a plan. We would then calculate it. We would then shift the remote area one head 'left' along the branch line and calculate that area see if the safety margin shrinks. If it did, we would keep going left until the safety margin stopped shrinking, or we ran into a main. If the safety margin stopped shrinking, then we knew which area was the remote area. If it never shrunk while moving left, we would shift the remote area one head to the right and check that one, and so on. The picture below illustrates this point. Please note that the terminology Left and Right mostly applies because it is an easy way to explain this concept, but Left and Right are are arbitrary and can be interchanged as long as the use is consistent along all the branch lines.

If the grid is non-typical, we still calculate additional areas manually in HydraCALC to this day.

With HydraCALC, AutoPeaking must only be used on 'typical' grids. That means the gridded branch lines:

1. The spacing between each head in the remote area must be the same
2. Must not have any elbows or tees between the heads in the remote area
3. Must not be on arm-overs
4. Must be labelled with Left and Right markers (L and R)

If these conditions are not satisfied, you will need to perform separate calculations for each remote area and print and submit them to the AHJ. You cannot use the AutoPeaking report in HydraCALC under these conditions.

Why? Concerning Condition #1: Because in a non-typical situation (heads spaced differently along branch line, for example), the number of heads that must be calculated along a single branch line may change as the remote area shifts one head at a time. Remember, the NFPA rule is that the length of the branch line to be calculated be at least 1.2 times the square root of the remote area. This calculates out to 46.5 +/- ft with a remote area size of 1500 sq. ft. In the example below, the heads are spaced 12 ft. apart, requiring the calculation of four heads per line. If the spacing were, say, 12' / 12' / 12' / 12' / 10' / 10' / 10', four heads would not be sufficient when the area was shifted 12' towards one head or the other. Thus, the shape of the remote area would change and possibly the number of heads calculated in it.

Conditions 2 and 3 are listed because the AutoPeak feature in HydraCALC requires that none of the points in between flowing heads have any fitting on them. Condition #4 allows the program to recognize the remote area points to be shifted. This will be explained later.

Example:

Each area contains the same amount of heads; spacing is 12' between heads along the branch lines.

Scenario 1: Area 1a (red area) is the first area placed and calculated. Area 1b (purple, one head or 12' 'left' of Area 1a) is then calculated and found to be less remote than Area 1a. Area 1d (green, one head or 12' 'right' of Area 1a) is then calculated and found the be less remote than Area 1a, meaning Area 1a is 'most' remote.

Scenario 2: Area 1a (red area) is the first area placed and calculated. Area 1b (purple, one head or 12' 'left' of Area 1a) is then calculated and found to be more remote than Area 1a. Area 1c (blue, one head or 12' 'left' of Area 1b) is calculated and determined to be less remote than Area 1b, making Area 1b the most remote. Area 1d (green, one head or 12' 'right' of Area 1a) is never calculated as the remote area consistently marched to the left.

There are other scenarios, but these are the two used here for illustration.

Left and Right markers

Left and Right markers act as 'bookends' which border the area to be calculated in HydraCALC. These can be typed in manually when inputting a calculation yourself. The AutoCalc process from within Hydratec for AutoCAD or Hydratec for Revit will add the appropriate left and right markers on grids that satisfy the four conditions listed above. They will also be added automatically by the HydraCALC-Sizer program, if the job is a grid and if it is transferred to HydraCALC using the Build Hydraulic Input function.

As mentioned above,Left and Right applies because it is an easy way to explain this concept and Left and Right are are arbitrary and can be interchanged as long as the use is consistent along all the branch lines.

From Tutorial #5: The L and R markers are added before the length automatically. Note in this example that L6 and R78 are used as the bookend lengths.

The common length between heads is 12 (ft). Given this situation, HydraCALC will shift the area being calculated by 12 each time. Since there is no room to take 12 away from (L)6, the process will instead calculate the first area and then march 12 feet each time to the right. After the area shifts to the right one time, the L6 will become L18 and the R78 will become R66. This will not be noticed in the input unless you choose an option to do so when you calculate it. Speaking of which, here are the Options:

The AutoPeak Grid Calculation option tells HydraCALC that you want to peak the calculation. If this is checked, the second option is available, Auto change peak lengths (L&R values). This option is the one referred to above. It will alter the L# and R# values to reflect the location of the remote area. This will make the calculation faster the next time, ans it may not have to shift the area as much. If the L and R markers are not added to the calculation, these options will not be selectable.

When you print out the final (submittal) calculations, you will be able to select the AutoPeaking Sheet for printout.

 

The AutoPeaking Sheet:

The List of Pipes for Area Calculated section reports where the remote area ended up after it was shifted automatically in the calculation. This is so the user can mark the remote area properly on their plan.

In the report above, the distance between reference points 2 and 3 is listed at 38.170 (feet). In this example, 2 is the branch line connection at the cross main and 3 is the first flowing head in the remote area. The other side is 30.830 ft. The fourth line, right side, from 54 to 55 is 66.830 ft due to that line having less flowing heads operating.

The next section of this report shows the demands associated with the remote area. The most remote area is the one listed as AREA CALCULATED. This area is the one referenced in the List of Pipes for Area Calculated. The Flow Required and Safety Margin are reported for this location.

The LEFT listing reports on the demands of the area if shifted one head left, at the distance seen (12.000). The one head RIGHT listing is also reported. These directions are consistent with the note above. If the remote area calculation had to ‘move’ the remote area more than one head in a given direction, you will see multiple LEFT entries, each one one head further along the grid line, until the pressure starts to drop, and the peak is found.

The Typical Distance Between Heads is reported. The Split Point Used in Area Calculated refers to the reference point name designated to the most remote head.

 

Using a Tank as a Water Supply

HydraCALC is set up to use either a city supply or a pump. There is currently no provision to choose use a tank or cistern, but there is a way to do it.

From a Customer: I have a 42 foot tall water tank. How do I use this supply in HydraCALC

Answer: You must first ascertain the elevation level of the tank that you are able to use per NFPA. For argument sake, lets assume 42 feet is the level allowed. That would give Static of 18.19 psi. Make the Residual slightly smaller (as it will error is the same as Static)

Put it in your city supply like this:

The flow used is not really relevant, as the slope is so gradual. But, it should be big enough to supply a pump if needed.

 

 

Getting Darcy-Weisbach Values from a Foam Spec Sheet

In order to calculate certain foam systems, a Darcy-Weisbach calculation must be done, as opposed to a Hazen-William one. This was touched on in this older blog post: Darcy-Weisbach Who?

The following are numbers found in the technical data sheets of a particular brand of foam concentrate. Notes are added to illustrate which numbers go where.

 

How to Have Fittings Show up in HydraCALC

Say you want to have European Standard fittings selectable in HydraCALC. You pick Utilities / Alter Pipe and Fittings to bring up the pipe tables and see they are already created, but you wonder why they don't show up.

The reason is there is no Short Name assigned to them. HydraCALC does not have every fitting immediately accessible from the input screen because that would bring up too many choices for you to sort through.

Assigning Short Names is easy. There are two rules:

1. The Short Name can be between one and four letters long
   
   
2. Don't use a Short Name that is already used
   
   
3. The first letter of the short Name must be upper case
   
   
4. The second through fourth letters must be lower case

I suggest using names that are indicative of the fitting name, for ease of recognition. These would be my choices for the EN fittings:

Once you pick OK on the fitting input screen, these values will be recorded and your fittings will now show up for the corresponding diameters when you right-click in the Fitting column.

 

Why More Hydraulic Demand in a Sloping System?

A customer sent a job over looking for an explanation:

"I have an inquiry about HydraCALC. I’m trying to calculate a system with sloping branch-lines as shown in below figure. I made two calculations in which everything is the same except for the elevation.

First, all heads have same elevation of 20 feet. And second, each are provided exact elevation as shown below. My questions are the following:

1. Why is the result not the same if the highest head or elevation to overcome is equal for the two situations?
2. Why is the system with sloping branch-line more demanding if the only difference in inputs are the elevations?"

The answer lies in the very question.

This is the system:

These are the results:

All elevations entered as 20':

All elevations entered as actual:

My answer (reader comments welcome):

Each system is getting enough pressure to supply water to 20’ of elevation for every head. In the case where all heads are labelled as 20’, this results in less flow and pressure as the system is more evenly ‘balanced’ from head to head.

In the system where the elevations vary, there is more ‘overage’ due to that fact that every head is getting 20’ of elevation pressure because the water has to be able to make it up to the highest head. This means even the 16’ and 17’ heads are getting 20’ worth of pressure. This is why NFPA 13 added the rule a while back requiring that the actual elevation at each head be entered – because it makes a negative impact on the calculation.

 

A side note: Back when this rule was implemented (Late 80s? Early 90s?), a good customer called me because he recalculated his sloping system using the new rules and it didn't work. My answer was - "That is why they added the rule!"

Using your own logo for the HydraCALC cover sheet

Many of our users aren't aware of the fact they can customize the cover sheet logo in HydraCALC.  These steps are pretty easy and can normally be done in about 5 minutes.

1. You'll need your logo, preferably as a .BMP and with a resolution of 500x500 pixels or greater, but any image type will do.

2. Open your image file using Microsoft Paint.  Check the pixel size of your canvas;  you're trying to get to as close to a square image as possible.  You can click the grips at the edges of your canvas to adjust it as necessary.

3. In the image above, the canvas is exactly 500 x 500 pixels.  Make sure to leave some white space near the top, this means your image will be closer to the bottom, not centered inside the canvas.

4. When ready, save the image as a .BMP file.  When you click 'Save as...', select the option 24-bit Bitmap (*.bmp)

Save the file to this folder [local drive]:\HES\HydraCALC\Ver50\Data\Setup\Reports and use the filename yourCompanyName

5. Using Windows File Explorer, browse to the location [local drive]:\HES\HydraCALC\Ver50\Data\Setup\Reports and locate a file called BLANK.DAT.  Make a copy of it then rename it to yourCompanyName.DAT

6. You can check your logo by going to HydraCALC, then go to File|Print Final.  When HydraVIEW opens, in the Cover Sheet drop down, you'll see your newly created logo in the list.

7. If you feel some adjustments are necessary, you can click on Tools|Page Setup then adjust the values in the Cover Sheet Graphics area in regards to the Tab, Width & Height.  The tab value pushes the image from the left to the right, and your width and height are a ratio of your image's width and height.

 

Good luck and get in touch if you need any clarification.

Using Velocity Pressures in Hydraulic Calculations

My co-worker Paul produced this blurb, on request from a customer who was attempting a Velocity Pressure calculation (a velocity pressure calculation is required by NFPA when designing Fixed Spray deluge systems). This type of calculation requires the use of the Input Types field, discussed in this post a ways back: Why Use Input Types?

For this kind of calc, The program needs to know which pipes are perpendicular at pipe intersections. The perpendicular pipe is where the velocity pressure is used to determine the flow into the pipe.

You can use any of the default Input Types from in the selection box, in this example we have used the Letters A B & C as the Input Types for clarity

All of the pipe where the flow goes straight through must have the same Input Type. Outlet pipes where the flow is determined by the velocity pressure must have a different Input Type.

In addition to the perpendicular pipe outlets the velocity pressure is also used to determine the flow at a K-Factor where a sprinkler head is directly connected to a pipe. (The sprinkler is the perpendicular outlet).

We used A for the Input Type from the remote sprinkler back to the supply point.  We used Input Type B for the pipe that comes off perpendicular to the Input Type A pipes and Input type C for the pipe that comes off perpendicular to the Input Type B pipes.

Based on this, the program knows where all the perpendicular pipe locations are and can calculate the velocity pressures correctly. 

Below is a flow diagram showing all of the B Input Type Pipe Marked in Yellow and all of the C input Type Pipe Marked in Pink. The pipe not highlighted is Input Type A pipe.

The Velocity calculation is performed at the intersection of the different Input Types and the K-factor location.

This link will get you the example job used for this post. We suggest you place it in your \HES\HydraCALC\Ver50\Data\Jobs\Example Jobs folder. Velocity Pressure.WXF

Illustration for labeling Input Types

 

Pointing HydraCALC (or HydraCAD/HydraLIST) to Look in Other Job Folders

ustomer from Sweden asked the following this week:

"I have a question about HydraCALC, is there a way to change the default path for where the program initially finds its projects to open?

For instance, now when I press OPEN, it always open “C:\HES\HydraCALC\Ver50\Data\Jobs”, we have our projects in a different location, so for me it would be nice if I could change the default location into our project folder."

 

The way to do this is through the desktop shortcut for HydraCALC. Right-click on the shortcut and pick Copy. Then right-click somewhere on your desktop and pick Paste. This will give you a second shortcut to work with, while preserving the original one,

Right-click on the shortcut and pick Properties. Then, pick the Shortcut Tab. Notice the Start in: field. That tells HydraCALC where to look for Jobs when you open or save one.

Change the Start in: field to be the location you want. Pick OK

Right-click again on the shortcut and pick Rename. Give the shortcut an appropriate name, so you can find it next time.

You can make as many shortcuts as you like, setting each one to a different job location. The same goes for HydraLIST and HydraCAD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windows 10

Good news! HydraCAD Versions 52 and 53, along with HydraLIST and and HydraCALC work great with Windows 10 Preview Edition 64-bit. I did not test the 32-bit version of Win 10, however I don't expect there should be any difficulties with that version, with the exception that V53 already does not support 32-bit platforms, by design. If users run into any unforeseen difficulties with Win 10, they are encouraged, as always, to bring them to our attention.

With Windows 10, Microsoft seems to have put in some real effort to make it compatible with existing software, and that is always a good thing (and greatly appreciated).

I have not switched over, and won't even consider doing so until the release version is out at the end of July (having been burned with the dead-end that was the Win 8 Preview version), but I think I might actually be up for upgrading to Win 10 from the Win 7 I am using now.

This is not a full review on my part, but a few things I liked instantly with Win 10:

1. The return of the Start Menu (and an improved one at that). It seems to seamlessly blend both the Win 8 Metro interface with the classic Start Menu of days of old. Notice the All apps button at the bottom left (circled in Red). That is the former All Programs that was so missed in Win 8/8.1

Another nice new feature (especially for power users) is the new menu that comes up when you right-click on the Start Button. You can do almost anything you want from this screen, and I, for one, really like it:

I even have to say that I like the new, crisp look of File Explorer

You may have heard the Internet Explorer is dead with this release, and that is true. That does not mean that no browser is installed with Win 10, however. The new browser is code named Project Spartan, which is a not-too-subtle hint on the simple design philosophy behind it. The official release name for Spartan is Microsoft Edge, by the way.

Choosing Which Pipe Types Appear in HydraCALC

When you right-click on the Pipe Type field in the pipe input screen, you usually see a dialog box that looks similar to the box below.

But, what if you don't use some of those pipe types, or would rather display other ones?

Pick the Options pulldown menu, then pick Edit Pipe Display Limits

Here, you will be given a tool to remove or add pipe types to your right-click menu:

If you want to remove a pipe type, select the pipe type on the left and pick the > arrow. This will remove it from the display list.

To add a pipe type, find it on the right and pick the < arrow to make it appear on the left. Pick OK when done. That's it!

 

Picking up Fittings, Valves and Backflows in AutoCalc

Last year we added a new feature to HydraCAD that allows users to add Fittings, Valves and Backflows to the drawing in order that they may be picked up in AutoCalc and brought over to HydraCALC. The command is Add Calculation Fittings from the Calculation toolbar:

Pick this command. This will display a dialog box explaining the steps needed to add these fittings:

Step 1 is Raise the Drawing to 3D. Pick this button if your drawing is not already in the System Model mode. Then, pick the Add Calculation Fittings command again.

Step 2 will Add or Remove fittings to the pipe you want. Pick this button. You will be asked to select the pipe to add fittings to. In the example below, I am picking the riser pipe.

After selecting the pipe, you will be asked to select the fitting, etc, to add. Note that this is the same dialog box found in the HydraCALC standalone program:

If you want to remove fittings, pick the Clear button and pick OK or select new fittings

Step 3 is used to return the drawing to 2D

Step 4 is an optional step that will scan the drawing an add text alerting you to which fittings have been added, and where. This is not necessary for the proper operation of the program, but is simply there for your own information:

Using Pressure Reducing Valves

My coworker Bill wrote this up, based on frequent requests for help with Pressure Reducing Valves:

There are two types of PRV valves, so there are two ways to handle the calculation:

Type 1 - Fixed PRV

Three calculations are required for a factory set or field adjustable PRV: Static at PRV, System Demand at PRV and Maximum Residual Pressure Available at PRV. Use those calculation results to determine which setting to use for the required flow demand.

Two HydraCALC Input files are required for each of those three calculations: Input file 1 – The sprinkler system to the PRV and Input file 2 - the PRV to the supply.

Refer to Fixed PRV Calculation.pdf for instructions

Type 2 - Auto-Adjusting PRV

A Cla-Val - Pressure Reducing Valve (there are other brands available) will automatically reduce a higher inlet pressure to a steady lower downstream pressure, regardless of changing flow rate and/or varying inlet pressure. You will need the manufacturer's material specification sheet for the valve you are using and enter the pressure loss for that valve.

The pressure loss for this type of PRV can be entered into HydraCALC as a fixed pressure loss. Refer to Auto-Adjusting PRV Calculation.pdf for instructions

Note:

If the PRV is located at a fire pump (Usually a Cla-Val type) the information can be entered into the HydraCALC pump curve. Enter the pressure limit (such as 175 psi max) and enter the PRV type and model in the “Regulated By” input field. The calculation process will take care of the PRV in the pump curve.

Using Libraries to Point to HydraCALC and HydraLIST Jobs

This idea is from long time customer and frequent good advice giver, Larry Howell at L & K Fire Protection in Marion, Illinois

"I wanted to share windows file explorer libraries with the blog users, as I just discovered their usefulness. When choosing a place to save calculations and stock listing files, the default does not work for us, finding the right directory on the server takes several clicks and looking. When choosing where to save the file, favorites do not appear but libraries do appear in the save options, if current job files are added to the libraries you can be only a couple clicks away. This would save more time with the more calculations and listings you have. This also saves us from moving files from our local “hes” folder to the proper directory for the project on the file server."

Using graphics to illustrate Larry's suggestion, here is how to do this:

Say that you, like Larry, want to write your listing (or calc) jobs to a location other than our default location. This is typically done by picking the Browse button and steering to the desired location:

But... this can get tedious and tiring, especially if the location is buried deep in a path structure on a different drive.

So,

1. Find the folder to be your Listing files location

2. Right-click on it, pick Include in library, then pick Create new library

This will create a new Library with the same name as the folder you clicked on

3. Now when you pick Browse in the Start AutoList (or Start AutoCalc) command, the folder you created is very easy to locate and select. The HydraLIST job will be created in that folder!

Using the 'Open Append' Feature in HydraCALC

If you have an industrial park with a common undergound loop, or many floors in a building with piping out to a pump house, or any need to reuse supply piping, then the Open Append option in HydraCALC is for you. It will add the file you select to the job you currently have open.

Build some supply piping to use on multiple calcs (below) and save it as usual.

Then you can simply append it to the bottom of your current job by postioning the cursor in the line where you want the supply piping and picking Open Append off the File pull down menu. Then, select the file containing the piping you want to append.

The piping will be inserted starting at the cursor location and continuing down for as many lines as necessary.

 

 

Using the Graphical Pressure Display

HydraCALC has a special tool to help you figure out where in your system losses are occuring. The Graphical Pressure Display (GPD) is that tool. In order to use it, one extra step is needed - you need to fill in the column named Input Type

This column specifies the role of each pipe in the system. It does not affect the calculation in any way. also, it is automatically filled in by the AutoCalc process and it is also filled in if you bring in the job from HydraCALC-Sizer. The Num. of Hds. column does not need to be filled out.

After a calc is run, pick the GPD button to see the tool.

This tool shows exactly where the losses occur in your system. Note the color coded relationship between the graph and the individual items listed at left. In this case, say we needed a 10 pound cushion. With only a 3 pound cushion right now, it would not make sense to increase the riser nipple size, since they are only losing 1.97 pounds, total.

Another special feature of this tool is the ability to change items in your input directly from here. To change the K-Factors of all the heads, or to simply see if changing them will help, hover over the E.H.Press (End Head Pressure) item at left and click on it. This will bring up a list of available K-Factors. To see how this part works, refer to this K-Factor Analysis post, which previously addressed that.