Top 10 MeyerFire Articles & Tools of 2018

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​Here's the top ten most popular articles and posts in this past year:

10. A New Calculator for Cloud Ceiling Sprinklers
This quick calculator helps determine requirements for when fire sprinklers are required in or around cloud ceilings, per NFPA 13-2016.

9. New Occupant Load Factors Coming to NFPA 101
In this article I dive into the changes in NFPA 101-2018 Edition concerning business occupant load factors.

8. A New Thrust Block Calculator
Good for calculating thrust block dimensions, this quick calculator helps determine block height and width based on a number of site factors.

7. The Other Easy Way to Space a Smoke Detector
In this article I elaborate on the second spacing option for smoke detectors under NFPA 72. It's a less common approach, but very straightforward and can result in the use of less detectors overall.

6. Fire Sprinkler Friction Loss: A Quick Calculator
Probably my personal favorite tool to date is this friction loss calculator, which estimates loss through a segment of pipe and fittings of your choosing. Estimate underground sizes, parts of branch lines, mains, and more with this quick comparison tool.

5. Advantages of Return Bends in Fire Sprinkler Systems
One of the first articles I put together is still popular; why do we have return bends? There's several advantages that are often overlooked that I discuss in this article.

4. When are Sprinklers Required in Bathrooms?
Whether sprinkler protection is required in a small bathroom is a straightforward yes/no answer, but getting to that answer can be slightly more complex. This article discusses and includes a flow chart on when protection is necessary.

3. Details and Requirements of the Inspector's Test
Another article that continues to find an audience is this detailing and discussion of the Inspector's Test. What is the sight ("site") glass for? What about the drum drip? Details here.

2. Are Fire Sprinklers Required for a Canopy?
One of my favorite flow charts is this logic chart that looks at whether sprinklers are required for canopies or overhangs. Code (specifically NFPA 13) has caveats that make this area of code a little tricky; the flow chart here should help.

1. Flow Test Reports and the N^1.85 Supply Graph
Here I take on the classic N^1.85 semi-logarithmic chart with a tool that can graph your flow test and detail your system's safety factor. It's the most popular tool and article this year.
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I hope you've had a great 2018 and are looking as forward to the coming year as I am.

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