Buston's Formula:
Definition: Buston's formula calculates the quantity of water required to extinguish fires based on the population of the affected area.
Purpose: It helps fire departments and emergency planners determine water requirements for firefighting in different areas.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula relates water requirement to the square root of population, with a constant factor of 5663.
Details: Accurate water quantity estimation ensures adequate firefighting resources, proper infrastructure planning, and community safety.
Tips: Enter the population in thousands (e.g., for 25,000 people enter 25). The result has a ±5% margin of error.
Q1: Why does the formula use square root of population?
A: The square root relationship accounts for the fact that fire risk doesn't increase linearly with population density.
Q2: What does the ±5% represent?
A: It accounts for variations in local conditions, building types, and other factors affecting water needs.
Q3: Is this formula used worldwide?
A: While commonly used, local regulations may specify different formulas based on regional conditions.
Q4: How accurate is Buston's formula?
A: It provides a good estimate for general planning but should be adjusted for specific local conditions.
Q5: What other factors affect water requirements?
A: Building materials, fire department response time, and water supply infrastructure also play important roles.