What is the conversion factor of 1 foot of head pressure to psi?

The conversion factor of 1 foot of head pressure to psi is 0.433 psi. This is derived from the relationship between hydrostatic pressure, height of the fluid column, and its density. Specifically, pressure in psi can be calculated using the formula:

Pressure (psi) = Height (feet) × Density of fluid (lb/ft³) × g (acceleration due to gravity in ft/s²) / 144

For water, which has a density of approximately 62.4 lb/ft³, and accounting for the standard acceleration due to gravity, the calculation confirms that 1 foot of water head translates to approximately 0.433 psi. This value arises from the fact that 1 psi is equivalent to the pressure exerted by a 2.31 feet column of water, hence any smaller height correlates to a lesser pressure measured in psi. Therefore, understanding this relationship is crucial for interpreting various engineering calculations involving fluid mechanics.