| High Standards needed for fire Protection systems in today’s building. Specifying fire safety is only the first step in delivering fire safety solutions. All too often the significance of correct installation and choosing the right glazing materials are overlooked. It’s of the utmost important that all components in a fire resistance glazing systems are fire rated, compatible and approved.
Does it take to be a fire protection company? Well anybody can set themselves up as supplier and installer of fire protection systems for new construction.
Overview
New facilities and renovation projects need to be designed to automatic fire protection systems. These systems are effective in detecting, containing, and controlling and extinguishing a fire event in the early stages. Fire protection engineers must be involved in all aspects of the design. The overall objective of any fire protection program is to provide the optimum level of protection to the community, in keeping with local needs and circumstances.
Performance-Based Design (PBD)
Recommendations
Issues to address in developing a successful fire protection design usually include:
Design Team—It is most important that the project delivery team include a Fire Protection Engineer.
Site Requirements—A quality site design will integrate performance requirements associated with fire department access, suppression, and separation distances and site/building security which include.
• Fire department access
• Fire hydrants
Building Construction Requirements, at a minimum will address the following elements:
• Construction type, allowable height, and area
• Exposures/separation requirements
• Fire ratings, materials, and systems
• Occupancy types
• Interior finish
• Exit stairway enclosure
Egress Requirements, at a minimum will address the following elements:
• Exit stairway remoteness
• Exit discharge
• Areas of refuge
• Accessible exits
• Door locking arrangements (security interface)
Fire Detection and Notification System Requirements, at a minimum will address the following elements:
• Detection
• Notification
• Survivability of systems
Fire Suppression Requirements, at a minimum will address the following elements:
• Water supply
• Type of automatic fire extinguishing system
o Water-based fire extinguishing system
o Non-water-based fire extinguishing system
• Standpipes and fire department hose outlets
Emergency Power, Lighting, and Exit Signage, at a minimum will address the following elements:
• Survivability of systems
• Electrical Safety
• Distributed Energy Resources
Special Fire Protection Requirements, at a minimum will address the following elements:
• Engineered smoke control systems
• Fireproofing and fire stopping
• Atrium spaces
• Mission critical facility needs
Parvez Shaikh is an online Marketer and writer in Industrial related topics. Fire Protection Equipment, Sprinkler Systems |
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