How many feet will one psi of pressure raise a column of water?

One psi (pound per square inch) of pressure will raise a column of water approximately 2.304 feet. This value is derived from the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics, specifically hydrostatic pressure.

The relationship is based on the density of water and the conversion factors between pressure and height. Given that water has a specific weight of approximately 62.4 pounds per cubic foot, the formula used to calculate the height of a water column in feet (h) based on pressure (P) in psi is expressed as:

h = (P × 2.31)

This indicates that for every psi of pressure, one can roughly raise a column of water 2.304 feet. This value is incredibly significant for fire service pump operators as it helps them understand how pressure translates into water supply and hose management during firefighting efforts.

Understanding this conversion is critical for effectively calculating how high water can be raised with a given pressure, which aids in strategic planning during fire suppression activities.