As a rule of thumb the following velocities can be used in design of piping and pumping systems for water:

As a rule of thumb the following velocities can be used in design of piping and pumping systems for water:

Pipe DimensionWater

inchesmmm/sft/s

12513.5

2501.13.6

3751.153.8

41001.254

61501.54.7

82001.755.5

1025026.5

123002.658.5

More about Water Systems, Pumps or Piping Systems.

Steel Pipes - Maximum Water Flow CapacitiesUnfortunately no single recommendation will be correct for all possible circumstances, but the table below can be used as a general guidance for the water flow capacity in Steel pipes schedule 40:

Pipe Size(inch)Maximum Flow(gal/min)Velocity(ft/s)Head Loss(ft/100ft)

2454.33.9

2 1/2755.04.1

31305.63.9

42606.64.0

68008.94.0

81,60010.33.8

103,00012.24.0

124,70013.44.0

146,00014.24.0

168,00014.53.5

1810,00014.33.0

2012,00013.82.4

2418,00014.42.1

The maximum size saddle outlet for each size of pipe to be tapped shall be as follows:

Size pipe to be tappedMaximum size Saddle Outlet

16"8"

18"8"

20"10"

24" and larger12"