FIRE PROTECTION
ENGINEERING &
SPRINKLER DESIGN
Our fire protection engineering and sprinkler design services focus on safeguarding lives and property through innovative, code-compliant solutions. We specialize in designing customized fire sprinkler systems, integrating fire alarms, smoke detection, and suppression systems to ensure optimal safety and regulatory compliance in residential, commercial, and industrial environments.
We deliver essential fire protection engineering designs that prioritize the safety of lives, property, and assets. Our solutions are tailored to meet regulatory standards and mitigate fire risks. Clients benefit from our expertise in optimizing system efficiency, reducing installation costs, and ensuring long-term compliance.
Expert Fire Protection System Designs
Our fire protection engineering services span a comprehensive range of solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. We ensure full compliance with local and national fire safety codes and craft custom design strategies to safeguard buildings and occupants. Additionally, special inspections are offered to verify proper system installation and regulatory compliance.
Fire Sprinkler System Design
Wet Pipe & Dry Pipe Systems
Deluge & Pre-action Systems
Hydraulic Calculations
System Layout
Standpipe System Design
System Configuration
Pressure Testing
Building Systems Integration
Fire Alarm System Integration
Detection Technology
Control Panel Design
Notification Systems
Smoke Control & Ventilation
Smoke Management Systems
Ventilation Strategy Development
System Performance Testing
Regulatory Compliance
Local and National Standards
National Electric Code
NFPA 72
Egress Planning
Exit Route Design
Emergency Lighting Design
Egress Capacity Analysis
Special Inspections
Fire-Resistant Penetrations & Joints
Luminous Egress Path Markings
Emergency & Standby Power
Tenant Protection Plan Compliance
Fire Hazard Assessments
Hazard Assessments
Mitigation Strategy Development
Regulatory Guidance
Maintenance & Lifecycle Management
Preventive Maintenance Plans
System Retrofits & Upgrades
Equipment Lifecycle Assessment
Fire Sprinkler System Design
Wet Pipe, Dry Pipe, Deluge, and Pre-Action Systems
We design fire sprinkler systems tailored to various building needs, including wet, dry, deluge, and pre-action systems. Wet pipe systems maintain water pressure for immediate response, while dry pipe systems are air-filled for unheated spaces. Deluge systems cover high-hazard areas, and pre-action systems require separate detection for water activation.
Hydraulic Calculations
Hydraulic calculations determine the water supply and pressure needed for effective sprinkler operation. This involves analyzing flow rates, pressure losses, and sprinkler head pressure to ensure optimal performance. Accurate calculations ensure adequate coverage and regulatory compliance.
System Layout
We produce detailed drawings of sprinkler heads, piping, and control valves, optimized for building architecture and occupancy. We ensure layouts maximize coverage, comply with fire safety codes, and facilitate efficient installation and operation.
Standpipe Systems Design
System Configuration
We design standpipe systems for various buildings, including Class I (2.5-inch outlets for fire departments), Class II (1.5-inch hoses for occupants), and Class III (combining both). Each system meets specific fire protection needs, ensuring regulatory compliance and emergency readiness.
Flow Rate Analysis
We conduct flow rate analysis to ensure standpipe systems deliver adequate water for firefighting. This includes calculating flow rates at hose outlets based on building height, configuration, and occupancy. Our designs meet or exceed performance standards, ensuring efficient emergency operation.
Connection Standards
We establish connection standards for standpipe systems to ensure compatibility with firefighting equipment and regulatory compliance, specifying appropriate hose connections, valves, and fittings for quick and efficient firefighter access during emergencies.
Fire Alarm System Integration
Detection Technology
We evaluate each building's needs to select suitable fire detection technologies, including smoke, heat, and flame detectors. By considering occupancy, environmental conditions, and regulations, we ensure reliable fire detection and minimal false alarms.
Control Panel Design
We design fire alarm control panels that integrate detection devices, notification systems, and ARCS to enhance communication and control during emergencies, ensuring streamlined system operation, efficient monitoring, and support for emergency responder communication.
Notification Systems
Advanced notification systems designed with audible alarms, visual indicators, and mass notification technology to ensure clear, timely communication during a fire event. Customized to each building's layout and occupancy, these systems guide occupants to safety while providing vital information to emergency responders.
Smoke Control & Ventilation
Smoke Management Systems
We design smoke management systems to control smoke movement during fires by analyzing airflow patterns, identifying smoke barriers, and determining extraction methods. Strategically integrated into the building design, these systems ensure safe evacuation routes and maintain tenable conditions for occupants and first responders.
Ventilation Strategy Development
We develop customized ventilation strategies using natural and mechanical systems to control smoke and enhance air quality during fires. By evaluating building layout, occupancy types, and local climate, we optimize designs to efficiently remove smoke while ensuring safe, breathable air for occupants, thereby improving overall fire safety.
System Performance Testing
We perform comprehensive testing of smoke control and ventilation systems under simulated fire conditions. This includes assessing smoke detectors, fans, dampers, and airflow dynamics. By identifying weaknesses and ensuring compliance with fire safety standards, we instill confidence in clients that their systems will function reliably in emergencies.
Egress Planning
Exit Route Design
We design efficient exit routes for safe evacuations during emergencies, analyzing building layouts to optimize exit locations and minimize travel distances. Our designs comply with fire safety codes, prioritizing clear signage, accessibility, and refuge areas, ensuring quick and effective movement of occupants in critical situations.
Emergency Lighting Design
Our emergency lighting design ensures adequate illumination along exit routes during power outages. We assess visibility requirements and select compliant fixtures, integrating them into the egress strategy to enhance occupant safety and facilitate effective navigation in low-light conditions during emergencies.
Egress Capacity Analysis
We conduct egress capacity analysis to assess the maximum number of occupants that can safely exit a building within a specific timeframe. By evaluating exit widths, travel distances, and potential bottlenecks, we assist clients in designing buildings that comply with life safety codes and enhance emergency safety.
Fire Hazard Assessments
Hazard Assessments
We perform thorough fire hazard assessments to identify potential risks within a facility by evaluating its design, materials, occupancy type, and existing fire protection systems. This systematic analysis highlights specific hazards, such as flammable materials and inadequate egress routes, offering clients a clear understanding of their fire risk profile.
Mitigation Strategy Development
We create customized mitigation strategies to reduce fire risks based on our hazard assessments. This includes recommending enhancements to fire protection systems, implementing prevention measures, and suggesting operational changes to minimize fire incidents while ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations.
Regulatory Guidance
We offer expert guidance on local, state, and national fire safety regulations during fire hazard assessments. This includes code interpretation, compliance assurance, and advice on necessary permits. Our support helps clients adhere to legal requirements while optimizing fire protection strategies, enhancing safety, and reducing liability.
Regulatory Compliance
Fire Protection Compliance
Our fire protection engineering services integrate specific provisions of the International Building Code (IBC) alongside NFPA standards to ensure comprehensive compliance across all aspects of fire protection systems.
Sprinkler, Standpipe, and Smoke Control Systems
For sprinkler systems, we adhere to IBC Section 903, ensuring alignment with NFPA 13 for automatic systems based on occupancy types and building heights. Standpipe system design follows IBC Section 905, which mandates installation based on building stories and floor area, complying with NFPA 14 standards. Smoke control systems must meet IBC Section 909 and NFPA 92, addressing designs for large-volume spaces and ensuring safe evacuations.
Egress Planning and Fire Hazard Assessments
Egress planning follows IBC Chapter 10, covering means of egress, ensuring compliance with NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 for safe evacuation routes. Additionally, our fire hazard assessments align with IBC Section 414, which outlines provisions for hazardous materials and fire-risk mitigation, following NFPA methodologies for effective risk management.
Special Inspections
Fire-Resistant Penetrations & Joints
(BC 1705.17)
Inspecting fire-resistant penetrations and joints to ensure proper sealing and installation in fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings, preventing the spread of fire and maintaining the building’s fire safety integrity.
Smoke Control Systems
(BC 1705.18)
Smoke control systems are subject to special inspection for compliance with approved designs and NFPA 92 standards. A special inspector witnesses leakage and pressure difference tests, verifies integration with fire detection systems, and ensures any deficiencies are corrected and retested before final approval.
Tenant Protection Plan Compliance
(BC 1705.26)
Involves ensuring that building alterations or construction projects meet the requirements set forth in the TPP to safeguard tenant safety and habitability during work.
Sprinkler Systems (BC 1705.29)
Fire sprinkler systems undergo special inspection for compliance with design specifications and NFPA 13 standards. A special inspector verifies component installation and witnesses hydraulic testing for proper water flow and pressure. Any deficiencies must be corrected and retested before approval.
Standpipe Systems (BC 1705.30)
Standpipe systems require special inspection for compliance with design documents and NFPA 14 standards. The inspector visually inspects components, conducts flow and pressure testing, and checks signage and accessibility. Deficiencies must be corrected and retested before final approval.
Luminous Egress Path Markings
(BC 1705.35, BC 1025.8)
The special inspection of luminous exit path markings ensures compliance with egress regulations. The inspector verifies that the installation aligns with approved documents and manufacturer instructions, including visual checks under both normal and emergency lighting, and confirms that the specified paint is applied according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Maintenance & Lifecycle Management
System Retrofits & Upgrades
We specialize in retrofitting and upgrading fire protection systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Our assessments identify improvement areas to ensure compliance with the latest codes and technologies. By integrating modern fire detection and expanding capacity, we maximize safety and performance while minimizing operational disruption.
Preventive Maintenance Plans
We create customized preventative maintenance plans for fire protection systems, ensuring optimal performance and regulatory compliance. These plans involve scheduled inspections, testing, and servicing of fire sprinklers, alarms, and smoke control systems to identify and resolve issues early, extending equipment lifespan and enhancing occupant safety.
Equipment Lifecycle Assessment
Our assessments offer insights into maintenance needs, potential upgrades, and replacement timelines, enabling informed decisions on fire safety investments. By proactively managing your fire protection equipment's lifecycle, we ensure ongoing compliance and enhanced safety.