We are looking to purchase a new software package to design and calc sprinkler systems. Just curious what others would recommend. Thanks in advance.

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A Level 2 Aerosol is to be boxed and stored on pallets at 15 feet with a ceiling height of 26 feet. Which of the following sprinkler protection criteria is acceptable?
a. Standard Spray (K-factor at least 8.0) Sprinklers; 0.30 gpm/sqft over 2,500 sqft
b. ESFR upright K14.0, quick-response, 12 sprinklers at 50 psi
c. ESFR pendent K16.8, quick response, 12 sprinklers at 35 psi
d. ​ESFR pendent K22.4, standard response, 12 sprinklers at 25 psi

Solution | Posted 10/02/17

When you have a sprinkler system with a combined fire and domestic water service, at what point do you separate the plumbing contractor's scope versus the sprinkler contractor's scope, and why?

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Historically, places of assembly have had major loss of life due to what unique building elements?
a. combustible loads that aid in rapid fire growth
b. inadequate exiting
c. overcrowding
​d. all of the above

Solution | Posted 09/29/17

An 18-inch deep x 3-foot wide duct is located with the top of the duct 20 inches below the upright sprinkler deflector. The sprinkler is centered above the duct. NFPA 13 (2016 Edition) has the 3x rule (8.6.5.2.1.3) which only applies to structural members in light and ordinary occupancies, and the duct is not over 4-feet wide which would require sprinklers by 8.6.5.3.3. Is this arrangement acceptable by code?

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The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of fluid by 1 deg C is:
a. Conduction Coefficient
b. Enthalpy
c. Entropy
​d. Specific Heat

Solution | Posted 09/28/17

For a typical fire pump room, what is the required NEMA enclosure rating for a fire pump controller?

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A new community college building contains 26,000 sqft of small instructional classrooms, an entry lobby, restrooms, offices, and a 15,000 sqft auditorium is considered what type of occupancy?
a. Group A, Assembly
b. Group B, Business
c. Group E, Education
d. Mixed Use

Solution | Posted 09/27/17

Is there a general rule of thumb with regards to sizing hub drains? Most of mine draining has been to exterior on to splash box, but lately hub drains have come into play.

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About the Weekly Exams
​The MeyerFire Weekly Exam is a series of time 1-hour, 10-question simulated PE Exams offered weekly with instant grading and printable solutions emailed following each exam. The above scorecard represents the scores of those who took this past week's exam. Find out more here.
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Week 17 is now Live!

A new Type II (000) construction facility without exposure protection is being designed to be built on an industrial campus. If Class II liquids are planned to be handled and dispensed regularly within the facility, what minimum distance from an adjacent, build-able property must the building allow?
a. 5 feet
b. 10 feet
c. 25 feet
​d. 50 feet

Solution | Posted 09/26/17

For duct smoke detector functionality testing, is there guidelines to use either aerosol spray, smoke bomb, or magnet? Which are acceptable method(s)?

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Chlorine and Methyl Bromide are examples of what International Hazard Class and Division?
a. Class 1 Division 1.4
b. Class 2 Division 2.3
c. Class 4 Division 4.2
​d. Class 6 Division 6.1

Solution | Posted 09/25/17

We're planning early stages of design for a new construction building, and the architect and owner are asking for a summary of benefits for the installation of fire sprinklers. This particular facility could use a NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R system and is under the 2015 IBC.

Aside from  Allowable Building Area, Allowable Building Height, and Allowable Building Stories, what are other code benefits to providing sprinklers provide?

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If the relationship below describes the growth phases of fire, what point does the arrow indicate?
​a. ignition
b. ceiling jet creation
c. flashover
​d. growth

Solution | Posted 09/22/17

What free educational videos covering fire alarm, sprinkler or life safety have you found helpful? Just looking to see what other resources people might recommend.

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What is the foam friction loss (in feet of head per 100 ft of pipe) for a 4:1 expansion foam flowing 130 gpm in a 2-1/2" schedule 40 pipe most nearly?
a. 0.3 ft/100 ft
b. 0.8 ft/100 ft
c. 3.0 ft/100 ft
​d. 8.0 ft/100 ft

Solution | Posted 09/21/17

Why are pipe cut-outs (or coupons) required to be hung outside of pipe connections?

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Where otherwise provided in accordance with code, which of the following is not an acceptable water supply for a fire sprinkler system?
a. grade-level water storage tank
b. lake reservoir
c. reclaimed water collection
​d. all of the above are acceptable

Solution | Posted 09/20/17

Hydrogen gas will combust at which of the following percent volumetric concentrations in air?
  i. 2.5%
  ii. 35%
  iii. 65%
  iv. 85%

a. ii and iii
b. iii and iv
c. ii, iii, and iv
​d. i, ii, iii, and iv

Solution | Posted 09/19/17

What is the difference between malleable and cast iron? Is there a preference between the two for use in sprinkler or clean agent system fittings?

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Daily Discussion (today's anonymously submitted question):

Reviewing the Example 2 on SFPE (4th) page 4-307, could not understand how it is W/D = 0.67 lb/ft-in.

Here is the effort:

• Found total cubic inches of the concrete encased W8x28 = (added 1.25 inches on all sides of the column) = [(8.06 + 2.5) x (6.535 + 2.5) x 12] = 1145 cu. in.

• Subtracted W8x28 cubic inches = (A x 12) = (8.3 x 12) = 99.6 cu. in.
• Got net lightweight concrete cubic inches = 1145 cu. in. - 99.6 cu. in. = 1045.4 cu. in.
• Interpolate with 110 lbs per 1728 cubic inches
• Got lightweight concrete only weight = 66.55 lbs per foot of the column
• Added 28 lbs per foot of the beam to 66.55 = 94.55 lbs
• So W = 94.55 lbs total weight of the linear foot of the column

D: As per figure 4-11.10 on page 4-305
D = 2(a + b)
So, Added 2.5 inches to beam flange, a becomes 9.035, and b becomes 10.56
D = 2(9.035 + 10.56)
D = 2(19.595)
D = 39.19 W/D = 94.55 ÷ 39.19 = 2.413

What is not right?

A risk preference which is not fully attributable to an objective measure of loss is best described as:
a. risk evaluation
b. perceived risk
c. risk analysis
​d. risk estimation

Solution | Posted 09/18/17

We have never used a flowmeter with a bypass to conduct annual fire pump tests, but have been asked to explore the option in an effort to save water. Using a flowmeter and test bypass for a fire pump, would a test header still be required? For those in areas with strong water conservation, do you have any recommendations on things to look out for?

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Balance the following combustion equation for hexane: C6H14 + (O2 + 3.76N2) = CO2 + H2O + N2
a. C6H14 + 6(O2 + 3.76N2) = 6CO2 + 7H2O + 6(3.76)N2
b. C6H14 + 19(O2 + 3.76N2) = 6CO2 + 7H2O + 6(3.76)N2
c. C6H14 + 19(O2 + 3.76N2) = 12CO2 + 14H2O + 19(3.76)N2
d. 2C6H14 + 19(O2 + 3.76N2) = 12CO2 + 14H2O + 19(3.76)N2

Solution | Posted 09/15/17