Green Points Calcs for Flow Meter on Fire Pump?

9/20/2024

Has anyone here ever done a green points calculation for the benefit of having a flow meter on a fire pump and rat racing back to suction rather than waste?

I’ve heard many talk of this and how conscious they are of our effort to save water, but I’m wondering if anyone has ever submitted applications, calculated savings, or presented evidence.

I’d also be interested in local or regional purveyor requirements on waste, reclamation, and disposal, if there are any.

Thanks in advance.

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8 Comments

Streeter

9/20/2024 09:40:01 am

I might be the only one thinking this, but what are green points?

I have never heard of them and even Google doesn't give a great answer but reading this it sounds like you are asking about if anyone cares about saving water when a sprinkler system with a pump initiates?

Just taking a wild stab, with fire sprinklers being a life safety system i think water waste is just about the last thing on anyone's mind when designing a system. That coupled with the fact that the vast majority of system use 0 gallons of water because they are never used means that it would probably be a waste of time?

That's all I got on a Friday morning for ya

Dan Wilder

9/20/2024 09:45:12 am

Are you speaking to LEED or BREEAM programs (or another version)?

Last I knew we (fire protection) adds no points for anything LEED related (our materials cost doesn't compare enough to the totals to affect the overall, even though our pipe is typically nearly 100% recycled, some other fittings are as well), same with distance from MFG to site, but we can subtract points for use of some of the nonenvironmentally friendly gaseous systems (and probably foam at this point, haven't checked lately) and fire pumps (typically diesel but I have had to provide an estimated electrical usage for a year on an electric pump).

BREEAM is similar as to materials, lifetimes, and sourcing.

As to water usage, a yearly flow test vs 3 years will use ~1/3 the water but in the overall water usage of the project and site (domestic, landscape, rain) it also does not compare.

Jesse

9/20/2024 11:03:59 am

Agree with Dan - fire protection doesn't add (or subtract) any credit for LEEDS certification.

I don't really see a benefit

Glenn Berger

9/20/2024 12:21:38 pm

Was forced into doing the write-ups for LEED points or a single project. All got rejected - THANKFULLY.

Easy points - do not use Halon Systems.

Jack G

9/20/2024 03:04:57 pm

Agree with above. I like flowing the water results over flow meter.

Thomas Duross

9/20/2024 06:57:03 pm

This is my post. I've had a few purveyors start implementing permit fees for testing and also send out rep's to witness. They run fast numbers of rate and duration and bill the owner for usage at a much higher cfh rate than domestic usage. Substantially too. I've mentioned adding a FM and loop would save usage and billing. Disappointing that there are no LEED or other credits, even small.

Jimmy

9/23/2024 05:32:37 am

I am old school,
a flow meter is just that a meter that can get interior buildup and have calibration issues over time, besides that its an "calculated guess" .... again old school.

Nothing compares to actually flowing the water and exercising the pump / motor / components and valves as a unit.

Wasting water and being charged for using it by fee's ,.... sound like a desk created problem for money.
Water used will go back to ground water and eventually go to where it was collected from,...... or it will water the earth which is not a but side effect..
Just an opinion.

anthony

9/30/2024 09:37:58 am

Look into the VSR-AT flow switch. that allows you to test the flow switch without flowing water. This will reduce fresh oxygenated air into your system extending its life and reduces water loss through the testing. I don't think its on the LEED list but it may be worth applying for a credit.

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Green Points Calcs for Flow Meter on Fire Pump?

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