Pump Head Calculator

Pump Head Calculator – Accurate Pump Pressure Estimation

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Hydraulics • Fire & HVAC

Pump Head Calculator – Accurate Pump Pressure Estimation

Use this interactive calculator to compute **Total Dynamic Head (TDH)** and **discharge pressure** from real-world segments, fittings, and elevation. Toggle SI/Imperial, pick a preset, and export a clean report your AHJ and vendors will love.

Method: Hazen–Williams / Darcy–Weisbach NFPA-20 aware (advisory) Report generator
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What is Pump Head (TDH)?

Total Dynamic Head (TDH) is the sum of static head, friction and minor losses, plus the pressure required at the remote point, minus any suction pressure. We solve it transparently and show the unit math.
Static Head: Vertical elevation from pump to remote node.
Friction & Minors: Pipe friction + fittings, valves, bends.

How the Calculator Works

Pick a standard, choose Hazen–Williams or Darcy–Weisbach, and add segments. We support multi-segment breakdown, **SI/Imperial live conversion**, **reverse mode** (check a known pump), costing, and a one-click **HTML report** with KPIs and tables.

Interactive Calculator

Sample Calculation (1-click)

Use this ready-made **NFPA-20 sprinkler scenario**. We’ll load the preset, auto-fill sensible costs for your region, and run the calculation.

FAQs

Is NFPA-20 mandatory?
It’s **mandatory only if adopted by your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)**. Otherwise, treat it as authoritative guidance and document assumptions in the report.
Which formula should I use?
Hazen–Williams suits clean, cold water in common pipe sizes. Use Darcy–Weisbach for broad fluids, high temperature, or when pipe roughness matters.
Can I check an existing pump?
Yes — switch to **Reverse** mode, enter the available head, and hit **Calculate**. You’ll see a **Pass/Fail** verdict.

Citations

  • NFPA 20 (2019). Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection. Use “adoption by reference” where applicable; AHJ defines enforcement.
  • ASHRAE Fundamentals. Hydraulics of pipe flow (Darcy–Weisbach, Swamee–Jain), minor losses with K-coefficients.

Note: This calculator provides **engineering guidance** — users must verify against local laws, adopted codes/standards, contract documents, and manufacturer data.

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