Sprinkler GPM Density
Total gpm from area of operation and density (gpm/ft^2).
Example
You enter
- Area of operation (ft²) 1500
- Hazard category (default if density blank) ordinary_2
You get
- Total gpm 300
- Density (GPM/ft²) 0.2
- Meets hazard minimum Yes
- Hazard minimum density 0.2
Checked against published worked examples from: NFPA.
Details, formula, and sources
Formula or tableSprinkler demand GPM = density (gpm/ft²) × area_of_operation (ft²) per the NFPA 13 density/area design approach (Chapter 19 since the 2019 edition; §11.2 in 2013/2016); the hose-stream allowance is added separately and is not in this total.
Source and editionNFPA 13 (2022) Chapter 19 (design approaches: density/area curves and hose-stream allowance) by name.
Free accessNFPA 13 read-only at nfpa.org/freeaccess.
What governsEstimate. AHJ and licensed fire protection engineer govern.
API field namesarea_of_operation_ft2, hazard_category, total_gpm, density_gpm_per_ft2, meets_minimum, hazard_minimum_density
- Hose-stream allowance 100 gpm light hazard / 250 gpm ordinary / 500 gpm extra hazardNFPA 13 hose-stream allowance table (Chapter 19)
- Minimum design area 1,500 ft² light and ordinary hazard / 2,500 ft² extra hazard (the smallest area on the density/area curves); a smaller area does not meet the minimumNFPA 13 density/area curves (Chapter 19)