Project: 775 Vaughan Road – Fire Protection System Design
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Standards: NFPA 13, NFPA 14, Ontario Building Code (OBC), Toronto Fire Services Requirements

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Scope of Work

• Designed a complete automatic wet-pipe sprinkler system for a 41-storey residential tower, including parking garage dry systems and combined standpipe/sprinkler risers.

• Classified occupancies per NFPA 13:

  • Residential Light Hazard – Dwelling units & corridors

  • Ordinary Hazard Group 1 – Service/mechanical areas

  • Parking Garage – Dry-pipe, EC upright K14 sprinklers, 30% area increase

• Performed hydraulic calculations using HASS software for:

  1. Standpipe System – High Pressure Zone

  2. Sprinkler System – Ordinary Hazard 41st Floor

  3. Parking Garage – Dry System

• Included friction losses, elevation head, fittings, valve losses, and standpipe hose allowances.

• Verified available city water supply against system demand curves with 10% safety margin.

• Prepared detailed node-to-node calc sheets, hydraulic graphs, and summary tables for each zone.

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Hydraulic Demand Summary

1. Standpipe System – High Pressure Zone

• Design: Class I Standpipe, 2 × 2½″ hose valves @ topmost level

• Flow: 500 gpm (2 × 250 gpm)

• Residual Pressure @ topmost outlets: ≥100 psi (calculated 103 psi)

• Total Demand: ~504 gpm @ 248 psi pump discharge

• Water Supply: Meets demand with ~12% margin

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2. Sprinkler System – OH 41st Floor

• Occupancy: Ordinary Hazard Group 1

• Design Density: 0.15 gpm/ft² over 1,500 ft²

• Sprinkler K-Factor: K = 5.6 (QR)

• End Head Pressure: 12.1 psi

• Sprinkler Flow: 19.5 gpm per head (8 operating heads)

• Hose Allowance: 100 gpm (as per NFPA 14 combined calc requirement)

• Total Demand: ~220 gpm @ 222 psi pump discharge

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3. Parking Garage – Dry System (P1)

• Sprinkler Type: EC Upright K14, 400 ft² coverage per head, 30% area increase (1,950 ft²)

• Design Density: 0.10 gpm/ft² (EC listing)

• End Head Pressure: 14.3 psi

• Flow: ~195 gpm sprinklers + dry valve loss allowance

• Total Demand: ~198 gpm @ 182 psi pump discharge

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Fire Pump Selection

• Main Fire Pump: 750 gpm @ 250 psi (17.2 bar) to serve combined high-rise demands

• Jockey Pump: 30 gpm @ 260 psi (18 bar) for pressure maintenance

• PRVs: Installed to limit outlet pressures within code limits at lower floors

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Compliance & Outcome

• All systems comply with NFPA 13 & 14, OBC, and Toronto Fire Services requirements.

• Hydraulic calculations confirm adequate residual pressure and flow for worst-case demand scenarios.

• Delivered full design drawings, hydraulic calc sheets, and demand vs. supply curves for AHJ approval.

• The design ensures reliable fire protection for residential, service, and parking areas under all anticipated fire scenarios.​​​​​​

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Click to view design drawings and hydraulic calculations: