What do hydraulic calculations compare the required demand of a sprinkler system to?

Hydraulic calculations in a sprinkler system are crucial for determining whether there is sufficient water supply to meet the demands of the installed system. These calculations focus specifically on comparing the required flow rates and pressures for the sprinklers to the available water supply at the site. This ensures that when the system is activated, it can deliver the required amount of water to achieve effective fire suppression.

By verifying that the available water supply meets or exceeds the required demand, the system can be designed to function properly under fire emergency conditions. If the available supply is inadequate, adjustments can be made, such as increasing pipe sizes, adding booster pumps, or modifying the sprinkler layout to ensure adequate coverage and performance.

Other options, while relevant to the overall project, do not directly relate to the core function of hydraulic calculations. For instance, pipe size requirements are determined based on the flow requirements and pressure calculated but are not the primary focus of the hydraulic analysis itself. Weather conditions may impact water supply and system performance but are not a direct comparison in hydraulic calculations. Installation costs are essential for budgeting but do not influence the hydraulic performance of the sprinkler system.