Fire Protection Survey Procedure

1. Fire ProtectionSurvey Procedure A Methodical Survey Approach to Designing an Automatic Fire Sprinkler System for an Existing Building or Structure

2. Introduction • In the course of our jobs as fire protection engineers, fire sprinkler designers, and fire service officials, we are often asked to perform a survey of an existing building or facility • This presentation highlights some of the key points that a fire protection designer may find helpful in performing a survey for the ultimate goal of designing an automatic fire sprinkler system Fire Protection Survey Procedure

3. Objectives Fire Protection Survey Procedure

4. Get Your Bearings Fire Protection Survey Procedure

5. Get Your Bearings • Obtain some basic information that will be required on your plans by applicable local, state, and national fire and building codes • Official name of the building • Obtain “True North” and “Building North” directions • Exposure locations • Mailing address & phone number of the building owner, tenant, or the owner’s representative Fire Protection Survey Procedure

6. Determine The General Building Layout Fire Protection Survey Procedure

7. Determine The General Building Layout • If possible, preplan a rough sketch of the building by the information you obtain from the point of contact at the building or facility prior to your survey • This will save time when the detailed measurements are taken • Point of contact should meet/greet and showcase the area to be surveyed and remain available for the duration of the survey • Request a complete set of plans for the building if they exist • Regardless of the date or completeness of the drawings Fire Protection Survey Procedure

8. Bring Proper Survey Equipment Fire Protection Survey Procedure

9. Bring Proper Survey Equipment • Two 8-foot folding rules • A 50-foot tape measure with hook • Two or more clamps • Pipe diameter measurement gauge • Telescoping elevation measurement pole • Flashlight Fire Protection Survey Procedure

10. Bring Proper Survey Equipment (Continued) • A string at least 50-feet long with a weight on one end • A feet-and-inch adding device or electronic calculator • Survey clothing, including PPE • Hard hat, safety glasses, goggles, ear protection, long sleeves, steel-toed boots, raincoat Fire Protection Survey Procedure

11. Fractional Rule 1’ - 0 5/16” 7 1/2” 8 5/8” Fire Protection Survey Procedure

12. Survey Building Details Fire Protection Survey Procedure

13. Survey Building Details • Develop survey strategy • Layout of the centerlines of structural elements • Building columns, structural beams • A “building skeleton from which all other measurements can be taken” • Measure walls using the column centerlines as a point of reference • Identify all concealed or inaccessible spaces • Combustible construction? Fire Protection Survey Procedure

14. Develop A System Design Strategy Fire Protection Survey Procedure

15. Develop A System Design Strategy • #1 - Determine the most logical system arrangement • Gridded, Looped, or Tree system • #2 - Building Elevations • Determine a survey reference elevation • Lowest, flattest, and most reliable elevation Fire Protection Survey Procedure

16. Develop A System Design Strategy(Continued) • #3 - Ceiling Measurements • Count the number of standardized tiles from wall to wall (2’x2’, 2’x4’, etc.) • Measure the remaining end tiles • Important!!! – Verify ceiling dimensions with room dimensions to confirm accuracy of your measurements & replace tiles without damage • Once above the existing ceiling, determine a “line-of-sight” to help with your design Fire Protection Survey Procedure

17. Develop A System Design Strategy(Continued) • #4 - Water Supply Information • Survey the “point of tie-in” where an existing fire protection pipe supplies your system • Measurements related to the building skeleton and chosen reference elevation • Precise measurement of the tie-in pipe is vital to the accuracy of your design Fire Protection Survey Procedure

18. Draw The Building Fire Protection Survey Procedure

19. Draw The Building • Return to your office and begin the layout of the building and the fire protection system • Compile a list of items that were missed in your survey • Areas of conflict with other disciplines should be clearly noted to allow for easier clarification on your return trip to the jobsite Fire Protection Survey Procedure

20. Layout The System Fire Protection Survey Procedure

21. Layout The System • Once the building and rough layout of the system have been drawn, you can now begin the computerized design of the automatic fire sprinkler system • Note: It is acceptable to bypass the rough layout of the system on paper and go directly to the computer for the development of your design • However, many fire protection designers find it more productive to bypass drawing the design on paper first! Fire Protection Survey Procedure

22. Field Check The Drawing Fire Protection Survey Procedure

23. Field Check The Drawing • Do not fail to “field check” your drawing and design BEFORE attempting to install any equipment or material • Start at the point of connection and move through the building re-checking your design and verifying your dimensions and elevations • Once completed, you are now ready to perform the hydraulic calculations for the proposed system design Fire Protection Survey Procedure

24. Inspect The System After Installation Fire Protection Survey Procedure

25. Inspect The System Installation • Visit the jobsite during or after installation • Should be done by all fire protection designers, but is extremely valuable to the beginning designer • Visualization on paper to actual completion of the system in the real world Fire Protection Survey Procedure

26. Questions??? Fire Protection Survey Procedure

27. Acknowledgements • This presentation and discussion is based upon the book: • Design of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems • By Robert M. Gagnon, P.E., SET Fire Protection Survey Procedure