Quality Management System

Document

Doc. No.: PCD-SF194

Rev.:
0

Page: 1 of 6

PROCEDURE FOR

QUICK ESTIMATION OF
FRICTIONAL LOSS IN WATER
NETWORK

09 Jun 10

Rev
.

Date

First issue
Description

H.Hosseini

I.Zamani

Prepared
by

Reviewed
by

E.
Ghashghai
Approved
by

Sections changed in the last revision are identified by

This document is the property of Tehran Raymand Consulting Engineers and should not be disclosed or reproduced without a
prior written permission.

Procedure For
Quick Estimation of Frictional
Loss in Water Network

Doc. No.: PCD-EQ152

Rev.:
0

Page: 2 of 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.

Scope....................................................................................................3
1.1.

Purpose..........................................................................................3

1.2.

Application.....................................................................................3

2.

References............................................................................................3

3.

Definitions............................................................................................3

4.

Introduction.........................................................................................3

5.

Procedure.............................................................................................4
5.1.

Input Data......................................................................................4

5.1.1.
5.2.
6.

Hazen-William friction loss coefficient....................................4

Procedure Steps.............................................................................6

Attachments.........................................................................................6
6.1.

Attachment 1: Water Pipe Friction Loss Excel Sheet....................6

Procedure For
Quick Estimation of Frictional
Loss in Water Network

Doc. No.: PCD-EQ152

Rev.:
0

Page: 3 of 6

1. Scope
1.1. Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe the procedure for Quick

Estimation of Frictional Loss in Water Network.
1.2. Application

This procedure is applicable for estimation of frictional loss in following

water network:

Fire water

Service water

Potable and drinking water

2. References
NFPA 15
Protection

:Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire

IPS-E-SF-220 :Engineering Standard for Fire Water Distribution and

Storage Facilities
IPS-E-PR-310 :Engineering Standard for Process Design of Water
Systems
IPS-E-CE-340 :Engineering
Distribution Systems

Standard

for

Water

Resources

and

3. Definitions

ID

:Inlet Diameter

:Hazen-William friction loss coefficient

4. Introduction
Firewater, service, potable and drinking water network is common
network present in most Oil & gas, Refinery and Industry plant. Water
balancing in this network is important and critical in maintaining a
constant supply to all users. Correct frictional loss estimation within
network is the key activity in providing a well balance of water supply.
Hazen-William formula is one the method widely accepted and used in
industry in estimating frictional loss.

Procedure For
Quick Estimation of Frictional
Loss in Water Network

Doc. No.: PCD-EQ152

Rev.:
0

Page: 4 of 6

Hazen-William frictional loss is a function of fluid velocity, hydraulic

radius and a constant subject to fluid condition and type of pipe.
Equation is as follow:

hf

V1.85
3.845 C1.85 R h

1.1655

hf = friction head loss, (psi/ft)

V = velocity in pipe, (ft/s)
C = Hazen-William friction loss coefficient
Rh = Hydraulic radius of pipe, (ft)
5. Procedure
5.1. Input Data

Flow rate

Pipe ID

Hazen-William friction loss coefficient

Percent filling of pipe

5.1.1.
Hazen-William friction loss coefficient
Hazen-William friction loss coefficient (C) is subject to condition and type
of pipe. It possibly ranges from 60 to 150. The following summary listed
the Hazen-William friction loss coefficient (C) for different type of
material
A set of Hazen-William friction loss coefficient listed in NFPA 15:
Pipe or Tube

Hazen-Williams
Coefficient
C

Unlined cast or ductile iron

Galvanized steel (all)
Plastic (listed) underground
Cement lined cast or ductile iron
Copper tube or stainless steel

100
120
150
140
150

Another set of Hazen-William friction loss coefficient also listed in below

table:

Procedure For
Quick Estimation of Frictional
Loss in Water Network

Pipe or Tube
ABS - Acrylonite Butadiene
Aluminum
Asbestos Cement
Asphalt Lining
Brass
Brick sewer
Cast-Iron - new unlined (CIP)
Cast-Iron 10 years old
Cast-Iron 20 years old
Cast-Iron 30 years old
Cast-Iron 40 years old
Cast-Iron, asphalt coated
Cast-Iron, cement lined
Cast-Iron, bituminous lined
Cast-Iron, sea-coated
Cast-Iron, wrought plain
Cement lining
Concrete
Concrete lined, steel forms
Concrete lined, wooden forms
Concrete, old
Copper
Corrugated Metal
Ductile Iron Pipe (DIP)
Ductile Iron, cement lined
Fiber
Fiber Glass Pipe - FRP
Galvanized iron
Glass
Lead
Metal Pipes - Very to extremely
Plastic
Polyethylene, PE, PEH
Polyvinyl chloride, PVC, CPVC
HDPE PIPE, PE 3408 / PE 100
Smooth Pipes
Steel new unlined
Steel, corrugated
Steel, welded and seamless
Steel, interior riveted, no
Steel, projecting girth and
Steel, vitrified, spiral-riveted

Doc. No.: PCD-EQ152

Rev.:
0

Hazen-Williams
Coefficient
C
130
130 - 150
140
130 - 140
130 - 140
90 - 100
130
107 - 113
89 - 100
75 - 90
64-83
100
140
140
120
100
130 - 140
100 - 140
140
120
100 - 110
130 - 140
60
140
120
140
150
120
130
130 - 140
130 - 140
130 - 150
140
130
150
140
140 - 150
60
100
110
100
90 - 110

Page: 5 of 6

Procedure For
Quick Estimation of Frictional
Loss in Water Network

Doc. No.: PCD-EQ152

Rev.:
0

Page: 6 of 6

Hazen-Williams
Pipe or Tube
Coefficient
C
Steel, welded and seamless
100
Tin
130
Vitrified Clay
110
Wrought iron, plain
100
Wooden or Masonry Pipe 120
Wood Stave
110 - 120
From above tables, the C factor is almost decreasing with surface
roughness.
Note: C Decrease with Service Life
One shall take note that Hazen-William friction loss coefficient will
decrease with service life. From King & Crocker "Piping Handbook", C =
120 when the pipe is new and decrease to C=90 after 20 years. From
"Handbook of Chemical Engineering Calculation", C factor for a new
Cast-iron pipe (30 inches) is 130, decrease to 120 after 5 years, decrease
to 115 after 10 years, decrease to 100 after 20 years, decrease to 90
after 30 years, decrease to 80 after 40 years and decrease to 75 after 50
years.
5.2. Procedure Steps

The procedure for quick estimation of frictional loss in water network is

done by an Excel sheet as per attachment.
6. Attachments
6.1. Attachment 1: Water Pipe Friction Loss Excel Sheet

Click on the following icon to open water pipe friction loss calculator.

Water Pipe Friction

Loss Calculator