Elevation head pressure is 10 kPa per meter above the pump; what is the equivalent pressure per floor?

Elevation head pressure is 10 kPa per meter above the pump; what is the equivalent pressure per floor?

• A. 25 kPa
• B. 40 kPa
• C. 35 kPa
• D. 20 kPa

Answer: (C)

Elevation head pressure converts height into pressure: for every meter of elevation, you gain 10 kPa. A standard floor-to-floor height used in many fire-rescue calculations is 3.5 meters. Multiply 3.5 meters by 10 kPa per meter and you get 35 kPa per floor. So the equivalent pressure per floor is 35 kPa. If the floor were only 2.5 meters, you’d have 25 kPa; at 4 meters, 40 kPa. The 3.5 m per floor assumption gives the 35 kPa result.

Elevation head pressure converts height into pressure: for every meter of elevation, you gain 10 kPa. A standard floor-to-floor height used in many fire-rescue calculations is 3.5 meters. Multiply 3.5 meters by 10 kPa per meter and you get 35 kPa per floor. So the equivalent pressure per floor is 35 kPa. If the floor were only 2.5 meters, you’d have 25 kPa; at 4 meters, 40 kPa. The 3.5 m per floor assumption gives the 35 kPa result.