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Modifications or development of new systems should not be commenced without understanding the impact on layout and installation.
May 6, 2024
Design criteria for storage fire protection systems must consider a substantial number of variables: what is being stored and how, the height of the planned storage, how high the ceiling is above the storage, and what the water supply is.
A professional panel discusses their experiences of design delegation, the pitfalls that sometimes occur and how to avoid future complications.
April 1, 2024
As the built and to-be-built environments increase in complexity, speed and efficiency, fire protection professionals must work together to protect people, property and the environment. A professional panel discusses this issue and other challenges when working on projects with delegated design clauses.
Tree, looped and gridded layouts can be connected to meet complex architectural features or to help with existing building expansions.
March 4, 2024
How fire sprinkler piping is arranged affects the system through water flow changes, system calculations and components used. Installation requirements for any sprinkler system can be found in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
An annual procedure can aid in keeping this life-safety system functioning as intended and ready should a fire incident occur.
February 5, 2024
Like a building’s water distribution system, fire sprinkler system piping can freeze in frigid temperatures and cause major damage. The checklist provided here can assist building owners or qualified technicians to properly winterize this life-safety system before the onset of cold weather.
Samuel Dannaways’ 2009 FPE column helps determine when to use fire sprinklers. Today, the codes and standards have changed, but the concepts still apply.
Current codes call for the installation of fire sprinklers in many instances in new construction, but there are still many cases where sprinklers are not required.
Creating our building codes includes much research and documents from subject matter experts across the building industries. It is important to learn how these different standards affect each other. Read on to discover how the new earthquake protection codes can impact water-based fire protection systems.
After 20 years, this simple system is serving us well: permitting fire protection professionals to properly identify and install fire sprinklers.
May 1, 2023
More than two decades ago, NFPA 13 required alpha-numeric markings on all fire sprinklers. Read on to learn the history of these markings, called sprinkler identification numbers, and how they are used today.
A smaller-sized fuel tank will fit in a room easier, present a lower fire hazard, and cost less in equipment and fuel.
January 6, 2023
The 2022 edition of NFPA 25 modified the formula to determine the capacity of the fuel storage tank for diesel-driven fire pump systems. Read on to discover the rationale behind the technical committee’s actions.
Understanding the owner’s master plan helps design the life safety systems to accommodate future growth without a costly retrofit.
December 5, 2022
Part four in a four-part series on cannabis facility design. This article describes the common safety systems typically required in cannabis cultivation facilities, with a focus on the cultivation side of an indoor facility.