WTCALC User Manual - Water Tank Calculator

WATER TANK CALCULATOR (WTCALC)

Comprehensive User Manual & Technical Documentation

Developed by Sreekanth Kadungil

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Current Version: 1.0 (AutoLISP/VLX)

⬇ Download WTCALC (.VLX)

1. Overview

WTCALC is a specialized AutoCAD plugin designed for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) engineers and fire protection designers. It streamlines the tedious process of calculating water storage requirements for buildings by combining fire safety standards and domestic demand metrics into a single CAD-integrated interface.

2. Installation & Launch

  1. Download the WTCALC.vlx file from the link above.
  2. Launch AutoCAD (compatible with 2018 and newer).
  3. Type APPLOAD in the command bar and press Enter.
  4. Locate and select the VLX file, then click Load.
  5. To start the application, type WTCALC in the command line.

3. Fire Water Calculation

The fire water module calculates the required volume based on hazard levels and coverage areas. Users should input:

  • Total Protected Area: The gross area covered by the sprinkler/hydrant system.
  • Largest Room Area: Used for specific hydraulic calculations.
  • Hazard Category: Choose between Light, Ordinary, or High Hazard (based on NFPA/Local codes).

4. Domestic Water Demand (Smart Matrix)

This module features a Smart Matrix that adapts to various building types:

  • Auto Mode: Estimates population based on area and occupancy type.
  • Custom Mode: Allows direct entry of user counts (e.g., 500 staff, 200 guests).
  • LPD Settings: Adjustable Liters Per Day (LPD) values to match local authority (DEWA, ADDC, etc.) requirements.
  • Storage Duration: Toggle between 24h, 48h, or 72h storage capacity.

5. Tank Status & Verification

As you enter your Proposed Tank Dimensions (Length x Width x Effective Height), the program provides instant visual feedback:

Green: Capacity is adequate (Proposed > Required).
Red: Capacity is insufficient (Proposed < Required).
Grey: Calculation incomplete.

6. Automated Reporting

Stop manually creating tables. WTCALC generates three distinct report types directly on your CAD layout:

Report Type Contents
Summary Report Aggregated total of Fire + Domestic water needs.
Domestic Detail Breakdown by occupancy, population, and LPD.
Fire Detail Breakdown by hazard class and system duration.

Note: You can customize the Report Layer, Font Size, and Color in the Settings tab.

7. Disclaimer

Professional Use Only: This tool is intended for preliminary sizing and estimation. All final designs must be verified against local civil defense and water authority regulations. The developer is not liable for errors resulting from incorrect user input.