Configure Your Pump Chart

Quick Presets
Flow Range
Nozzle & Lines
Fog=100 · Smooth=50 · Master=80
Total flow = GPM × lines
Attack Line
Supply Line (optional)
Elevation
±0.434 psi/ft · High-rise: +5 psi/floor (~10 ft)
Appliance Friction Loss
Chart Header
AllFirefighter — Pump Chart Generator · allfirefighter.com/tools/pump-chart-generator
Suggested PDP Range
Generate a chart to see results
Rounded up to nearest 5 psi
Configure the parameters and click Generate Chart.
Use with these tools:
⚙️ PDP Calculator💧 Friction Loss🔥 Fire Flow (NFF)🚰 Hydrant Flow🚒 Tanker Shuttle⏱️ SCBA Air Time
Training estimate only. SOP/SOG, nozzle specs, hose condition, and standpipe system characteristics affect actual pressures. Verify all pump charts against your department's tested values before operational use.
Generated by allfirefighter.com/tools/pump-chart-generator — Training use only. Always follow your department SOP.

What Is a Firefighter Pump Chart?

A firefighter pump chart is a pre-calculated reference table showing the pump discharge pressure (PDP) a driver/engineer must set for specific flow rates on each hose line. Pump charts are typically laminated and mounted on the apparatus dashboard so the pump operator can dial in the correct pressure instantly — without performing calculations under operational stress.

Building a pump chart before an incident is a foundational driver/engineer skill. A good pump chart accounts for every variable in the hose lay: the friction loss through each line diameter and length, the nozzle pressure required by the device, any appliance losses from wyes or standpipe connections, and elevation change. This generator calculates all of those factors using the standard IFSTA formulas and presents the results in a print-ready table.

Pump charts are required or strongly recommended in most department SOPs because they:

  • Eliminate mental arithmetic errors under time pressure
  • Ensure consistent nozzle pressures across all operators
  • Support pre-incident planning and driver training
  • Document the expected pressures for accountability

The Pump Discharge Pressure Formula

PDP = NP + FLsupply + FLattack + Appliance Loss + Elevation
Where FL (friction loss) = C × Q² × L, with Q = GPM ÷ 100 and L = length ÷ 100.
NPNozzle Pressure

Required pressure at the nozzle tip. Combination fog: 100 psi. Smooth bore handline: 50 psi. Master streams: 80–100 psi. Always confirm with nozzle manufacturer.

FLFriction Loss

Pressure lost to hose friction. FL = C × Q² × L. Calculated separately for supply line (total flow) and attack line (per-line flow). Increases with the square of flow rate.

AFLAppliance Loss

Pressure lost through fittings, wyes, standpipe connections, and master stream devices. Typical values: wye 10 psi, standpipe 25 psi. Varies by device and flow rate.

ElevElevation

+0.434 psi per foot of rise. −0.434 psi per foot of drop. High-rise rule of thumb: +5 psi per floor above the pumper.

Multi-line attack: When two or more lines run off the same pump, the supply line carries the combined flow (total GPM), while each attack line carries its individual flow for friction loss calculation. PDP is based on the highest-demand line — typically the longest or highest-elevation line.

Hose Friction Loss Coefficients (C Values)

The coefficient C reflects a hose's internal resistance — a function of diameter and lining smoothness. Larger bore = dramatically lower C = far less friction at the same flow.

Hose SizeCoefficient (C)Typical UseFL at 150 GPM / 200 ft
1½"24Booster, trash, wildland108 psi
1¾"15.5Primary attack (most common)70 psi
2½"2Heavy attack, master stream9 psi
3"0.8Supply / intermediate4 psi
4"0.2LDH supply1 psi
5"0.08LDH large supply0 psi

* FL at 150 GPM / 200 ft calculated using FL = C × (1.5)² × 2. Based on IFSTA references — verify against your department's tested pump charts.

Elevation Correction in Pump Charts

Elevation change directly affects the pressure the pump must generate. Water weighs 0.434 psi per foot of vertical rise — meaning every foot the hose gains in elevation adds 0.434 psi to PDP, and every foot it descends subtracts 0.434 psi.

0.434
psi per foot of rise
~5 psi
per floor (high-rise ~10 ft)
Subtract
for downhill lays

Note: In multi-story standpipe operations, the residual pressure at the outlet must meet NFPA 14 minimums (100 psi) — the pump must supply sufficient pressure to overcome both the elevation and the standpipe system friction.

Common Appliance Friction Loss Values

ApplianceFriction LossNotes
Gated wye / Siamese10 psiVaries by flow rate and device
Standpipe / FDC connection25 psiPer IFSTA; varies by system age
Master stream / portable monitor10–20 psiCheck manufacturer specs
Ladder pipe / aerial tip25 psiAdd elevation to aerial height
Foam eductor (proportioner)50–200 psiHighly variable — see device specs
Minor fittings / adapters5 psiEstimate; minimize in hose lay design

Values are approximate. Flow rates significantly above or below device ratings can change these values. Always verify with your AHJ and device manufacturer documentation.

Standpipe Pump Charts

A standpipe pump chart shows the PDP needed to supply the building's standpipe system at each floor level. The key variables are: supply line friction loss, standpipe system friction (typically 25 psi), the outlet nozzle pressure (typically 100 psi), and elevation correction for each floor.

To use the generator for standpipe: set NP to 100 psi, check "Standpipe / FDC" in the appliance losses (25 psi), enter the supply line from the pumper to the FDC, and set elevation to the floor height (e.g., 10 ft per floor × floor number above ground). The standpipe preset automatically configures these defaults.

NFPA 14 note: Minimum residual pressure at the standpipe outlet is 100 psi. Maximum is 175 psi at the lowest outlet. Pressures above 175 psi require a pressure-reducing device. Always follow your department's high-rise SOP and NFPA 14 requirements.

Pump Chart FAQ

A pump chart is a pre-calculated table showing the pump discharge pressure (PDP) a driver/engineer should set for each hose line at specific flow rates (GPM). Laminated and mounted on the apparatus, it allows instant pressure reference without calculation under operational stress.

PDP = NP + FL(supply) + FL(attack) + Appliance Loss + Elevation. Where FL = C × Q² × L (C = hose coefficient, Q = GPM ÷ 100, L = length ÷ 100). Elevation uses ±0.434 psi per foot.

Combination/fog nozzle on 1-3/4 inch: 100 psi. Smooth bore nozzle on 1-3/4 inch: 50 psi. Always verify with your nozzle manufacturer and department SOP — some automatic fog nozzles operate at 75 psi.

The standard C value for 1-3/4 inch hose is 15.5. Other common values: 1.5 inch = 24, 2.5 inch = 2, 3 inch = 0.8, 4 inch = 0.2, 5 inch LDH = 0.08. Your department may use tested values that differ slightly.

Add 0.434 psi per foot of elevation gain to PDP. Subtract for downhill lays. High-rise rule of thumb: +5 psi per floor above the pumper (assuming ~10 ft per floor). This is separate from friction loss and must be added independently.

A typical standpipe or FDC connection friction loss is 25 psi per IFSTA references. This accounts for the system piping resistance. Combined with NP (100 psi) and elevation, standpipe PDP can reach 200+ psi on upper floors — verify your department's maximum pump pressure and SOP.

Yes. Set the number of attack lines (1–6). The generator calculates FL for the supply line based on total combined flow, and FL for each attack line based on its individual flow. PDP reflects the combined load.

Click "CSV" after generating the chart. The download includes all columns — GPM, NP, FL supply, FL attack, appliance, elevation, exact PDP, and suggested PDP. Import into Excel, Google Sheets, or your department record-keeping system for documentation.
Training reference only. Always follow your department pump charts, SOPs/SOGs, and IFSTA/NFPA references on operational incidents. Editorial policy · Our authors