Battery Firewater Runoff Containment Calculator

Estimate the minimum firewater containment volume by combining suppression flow, duration, contaminant inflows, and contingency factors.

Total combined flow from hose lines, monitors, and deluge nozzles in liters per minute.
Expected continuous application time before transition to overhaul or mop-up.
Defaults to 0 L. Add estimated electrolyte or sprinkler reservoir discharge that mixes into runoff.
Defaults to 0%. Apply contingency for obstructions, foam expansion, or measurement uncertainty.

Use with applicable fire code guidance, hydraulic calculations, and environmental permitting requirements before construction.

Examples

  • 950 L/min for 120 minutes, 4,000 L electrolyte, 20% safety ⇒ 136,800.00 liters (136.80 m³)
  • 1,200 L/min for 75 minutes, no contaminants, no contingency ⇒ 90,000.00 liters (90.00 m³)

FAQ

What if multiple hose lines cycle on and off?

Use the highest simultaneous flow scenario sustained for at least 10 minutes. The containment design should withstand peak demand, not average utilisation.

How should I handle firefighting foam expansion?

Estimate the liquid concentrate volume that drains into containment rather than the expanded bubble volume. Apply the safety factor to cover entrained air collapse.

Can I size containment in cubic feet instead of cubic metres?

Yes. Convert the calculator output by multiplying cubic metres by 35.3147 to obtain cubic feet when preparing architectural plans.

Does the calculator include rainfall runoff?

No. Add expected stormwater inflow separately or increase the safety factor if suppression is likely to coincide with heavy rain events.

Additional Information

  • Suppression volume equals application rate multiplied by the projected attack duration.
  • Add contaminant liquids that co-mingle with firewater to keep treatment systems within design capacity.
  • Safety factors cover hose redeployments, foam expansion, debris displacement, or gauging uncertainty.

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