Use of hydraulic modeling to assess the performance of fire-fighting water supply networks
author:
GRZEGORZ ŚCIERANKA, ANITA JENDROSZCZYK, PAWEŁ GRAJPER, ŚWIATOSŁAW KRZESZOWSKI
ORCID ID:
0000-0001-7278-9846, 0000-0002-8534-5264, 0000-0001-7048-3034, 0000-0003-0285-0159
No:
12/2025 Instal pp.44-47
DOI:
10.36119/15.2025.12.7
The article examines how hydraulic modeling, using EPANET, supports the assessment of fire-fighting performance in
water supply networks. It compares two approaches to hydrant simulation: fixed discharge and free outflow
dependent on pressure. The study demonstrates that free-outflow modeling more accurately reflects real hydrant
behavior, enabling better evaluation of whether required fire flows can be achieved, especially when multiple
hydrants operate simultaneously or when network conditions are unfavorable. The results show that hydraulic models
are essential for analyzing fire scenarios, verifying network capacity, and supporting decisions on design,
modernization, and operational reliability of water distribution systems.
Keywords:
About Authors:
dr inż. Grzegorz Ścieranka https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7278-9846, dr inż. Anita Jendroszczyk https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8534-5264
dr inż. Paweł Grajper https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7048-3034, dr inż. Światosław Krzeszowski https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0285-0159 ‒
Politechnika Śląska, Wydział Inżynierii Środowiska i Energetyki, Katedra Inżynierii Wody i Ścieków.
Corresponding address: grzegorz.scieranka@polsl.pl