Every attempt is made for accuracy in every portion of the guide.
It pains me to find mistakes, but I post them here in an effort for complete clarity and most importantly to aid in better exam prep.
I greatly appreciate any and all feedback from users in improving this guide. The 2020 Edition of the PE Prep Guide had major updates across the removal of the handbooks and new standard references. All of these updates are shown below for your aid in preparing for the exam and are also incorporated in future editions of the Prep Guide. We hope you find this helpful.
2020 PE Prep Guide Errata:
Formula 2.46 (p52): NCEES uses the convective heat release rate, not the total heat release rate as is listed in SFPE/FPH.
Formula 2.53 (p54): The simplified equation is from FPH 3-154, which has a constant that is different than SFPE p406 and NCEES 3.4.7. The constant for the mean velocity of the plume should be 1.03 m^(4/3)s^(-1)kW^(-1/3), not 0.77 as in FPH.
Problem 3 (p94): Each component in the problem should have a "probability of failure" and not a "failure rate". These are two separate terms, and mean two different things. In this problem, for example, OS&Y valve should say "closed/failed: 0.5% probability of failure."
Although the failure rate, λ(t), is often thought of as the probability that a failure occurs in a specified interval, it is not actually a probability because it can exceed 1.0. A probability, on the other hand, cannot exceed 100%. Problems asking for "probability of failure or success" are different than problems asking for a "failure rate" or "success rate" of a system.
Problem 21 (p119): The question should state to assume the virtual origin is at floor level.
Problem 24 (p124): The solution for the problem as given should be 1.1 seconds, which is not an available answer. The flame spread rate in the solution should be 0.35 m/s, not 0.035 m/s. The resulting solution then becomes 1.1 seconds.
Problem 31 (p136): The pipe schedule should be specified as Schedule 40. The solution remains the same.
Problem 36 (p143): The question should read "Fire sprinkler serving a new light hazard installation require..."
Problem 45 (p156): The answers should be in pounds (lb) and not kilograms (kg).
Problem 105 (p222 and 242): The third answer should read Gypsum, 5/8-inch and not Type X Gypsum, 5/8-inch.
Problem 125 (p265): The solution uses a higher foam concentration rate than the original problem. The correct solution is here.
Problem 131 (p271): Answers should be listed in "lb", not "kg".
Problem 137 (p277): The question should use a metal plate 18-inches thick, not 20 inches. The "most near" solution with 20-inch thick plate is still (a).
Problem 145 (p285): The solution uses the mean velocity of plume equation from FPH 3-154, which has a constant that is different than SFPE p406 and NCEES 3.4.7. The constant for the mean velocity of the plume should be 1.03 m^(4/3)s^(-1)kW^(-1/3), not 0.77 as in FPH.
Problem 156 (p298): The table actually requires a 3-hour separation that reduces to 2-hours with fully-sprinklered. Answer should be (c).
Problem 167 (p312): Glycerin is listed with an AIT of 210 C, but it should actually be 370 C as listed in NCEES. Only Kerosene is the appropriate answer.
Problem 172 (p317): Both constants 7.6 sqm/g and 8.7 sqm/g are listed in NCEES handbook. Using the constant 8.7 would also be acceptable (and more appropriate), which would lead to an acceptable solution of 4.6 meters.
Problem 174 (p320): Type V (000) Construction, 1-story in height is not permitted, since the occupant load is greater than 300 for the building. The question could be clarified that a fire wall will not be provided for the addition.
Problem 175 (p321): The second answer should read "all special sprinklers", not "all standard sprinklers."
Problem 183 (p329): The problem could be clarified to note that the design fire is the convective portion of the heat release rate. Answer should be 1,189 cubic feet per second, not cubic feet per minute.
[End of Errata]
It pains me to find mistakes, but I post them here in an effort for complete clarity and most importantly to aid in better exam prep.
I greatly appreciate any and all feedback from users in improving this guide. The 2020 Edition of the PE Prep Guide had major updates across the removal of the handbooks and new standard references. All of these updates are shown below for your aid in preparing for the exam and are also incorporated in future editions of the Prep Guide. We hope you find this helpful.
2020 PE Prep Guide Errata:
Formula 2.46 (p52): NCEES uses the convective heat release rate, not the total heat release rate as is listed in SFPE/FPH.
Formula 2.53 (p54): The simplified equation is from FPH 3-154, which has a constant that is different than SFPE p406 and NCEES 3.4.7. The constant for the mean velocity of the plume should be 1.03 m^(4/3)s^(-1)kW^(-1/3), not 0.77 as in FPH.
Problem 3 (p94): Each component in the problem should have a "probability of failure" and not a "failure rate". These are two separate terms, and mean two different things. In this problem, for example, OS&Y valve should say "closed/failed: 0.5% probability of failure."
Although the failure rate, λ(t), is often thought of as the probability that a failure occurs in a specified interval, it is not actually a probability because it can exceed 1.0. A probability, on the other hand, cannot exceed 100%. Problems asking for "probability of failure or success" are different than problems asking for a "failure rate" or "success rate" of a system.
Problem 21 (p119): The question should state to assume the virtual origin is at floor level.
Problem 24 (p124): The solution for the problem as given should be 1.1 seconds, which is not an available answer. The flame spread rate in the solution should be 0.35 m/s, not 0.035 m/s. The resulting solution then becomes 1.1 seconds.
Problem 31 (p136): The pipe schedule should be specified as Schedule 40. The solution remains the same.
Problem 36 (p143): The question should read "Fire sprinkler serving a new light hazard installation require..."
Problem 45 (p156): The answers should be in pounds (lb) and not kilograms (kg).
Problem 105 (p222 and 242): The third answer should read Gypsum, 5/8-inch and not Type X Gypsum, 5/8-inch.
Problem 125 (p265): The solution uses a higher foam concentration rate than the original problem. The correct solution is here.
Problem 131 (p271): Answers should be listed in "lb", not "kg".
Problem 137 (p277): The question should use a metal plate 18-inches thick, not 20 inches. The "most near" solution with 20-inch thick plate is still (a).
Problem 145 (p285): The solution uses the mean velocity of plume equation from FPH 3-154, which has a constant that is different than SFPE p406 and NCEES 3.4.7. The constant for the mean velocity of the plume should be 1.03 m^(4/3)s^(-1)kW^(-1/3), not 0.77 as in FPH.
Problem 156 (p298): The table actually requires a 3-hour separation that reduces to 2-hours with fully-sprinklered. Answer should be (c).
Problem 167 (p312): Glycerin is listed with an AIT of 210 C, but it should actually be 370 C as listed in NCEES. Only Kerosene is the appropriate answer.
Problem 172 (p317): Both constants 7.6 sqm/g and 8.7 sqm/g are listed in NCEES handbook. Using the constant 8.7 would also be acceptable (and more appropriate), which would lead to an acceptable solution of 4.6 meters.
Problem 174 (p320): Type V (000) Construction, 1-story in height is not permitted, since the occupant load is greater than 300 for the building. The question could be clarified that a fire wall will not be provided for the addition.
Problem 175 (p321): The second answer should read "all special sprinklers", not "all standard sprinklers."
Problem 183 (p329): The problem could be clarified to note that the design fire is the convective portion of the heat release rate. Answer should be 1,189 cubic feet per second, not cubic feet per minute.
[End of Errata]
