MeyerFire University

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HELP / SUPPORT

ENROLLMENT

BROWSE BY TOPIC

BUSINESS & CAREER

FUNDAMENTALS

DOCUMENTS & REVIEW

TOOLS

CODE & LIFE SAFETY

FIRE SUPPRESSION

FIRE ALARM

SMOKE CONTROL

BUSINESS & CAREER

INTERNSHIPS & NEW JOBS

WORKFLOW & EFFICIENCY

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

CAREER GROWTH

DIFFERENT ROLES

INTERNSHIPS & NEW JOBS

INTERNSHIPS

FIRST JOB

IMPACT

How do I actually make change happen?

WORKFLOW & EFFICIENCY

WORKFLOW, EFFICIENCY, & EFFECTIVENESS

What is a design workflow?
How do I create a custom workflow?
Workflow Example: information gathering
Workflow Example: the template
Workflow Example: project setup?
Workflow Example: initial layout
Workflow Example: deliverable stage?
Workflow Example: plans and reporting?
Workflow Example: details and schedules?
Workflow Example: finishing a permit set?
Workflow Example: install set & stocklisting?
What is Effective versus Efficient?*
Why is a workflow, effectiveness important?*
Lessons learned from using a workflow?

IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS: A 2-YEAR STUDY

Why does effectiveness matter?
How is apathy plaguing the industry?
Why care about effectiveness?
Is motivation taught?
Our options for getting more work done?
Difference between effective versus efficient?
Mental exercise: what would have to change to become more effective in your role?
How to gather ideas for improving effectiveness?
An example on improving a single process.
Time as an investment?
Where does our time actually go?
What options do we have to improve effectiveness?
Data results for a 2-year task-by-task time study?
Lessons learned from a 2-year task time study?
How can I become more effective in my role?

MAKING CHANGE

How can I actually make change happen?
Is it better to ask for forgiveness or permission?
How can I get others onboard with change?
In what ways can I be more convincing?

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

CONSULTING

Why have a consultant on a project?

PROFITABILITY

Difference between profit and revenue?*
How do design groups make a profit?*
How does a design group be more profitable?*
What is an hourly billable rate?*
Why is my billing rate higher than my salary?*
What is a utilization rate?*
What goes into design costs?
What is overhead?
What makes a design job profitable?
Why do design costs vary?

ECONOMICS

Understanding economics in engineering?
How does cash flow work?
Why is cash flow important?
How to compare equivalent value?
What is rate of return?

PROPOSALS

What is a proposal?*
What goes into a proposal?*
What should marketing materials include?
What is a “landed rate” for projects?*

CAREER GROWTH

LANDING JOBS

How can I land an internship?
How can I land my first job?
How can LinkedIn help me get a job?
Do I have to network?*
What are ways to network in this industry?*

INCOME

How do I make more money?*
How do I create more value in my role?

GROWTH

What tips would people give to new hires?

ORGANIZATIONS

Why should I join organizations?
What do organizations offer for growth?
What organizations exist in my industry?

DIFFERENT ROLES

AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION

Why chose a role in plan review or inspection?
What impact is possible in this industry?

DESIGN

What makes a great designer overall?*
What makes a great engineer overall?*
Difference Between Good & Great Designers?
Should I get NICET or a PE?
Should I get other credentials?
Do credentials matter?
Does a PE know more than I do?*

INDUSTRY MAKEUP

Why does the design & construction industry need different perspectives?

FUNDAMENTALS

HISTORY OF FIRE

FIRE SCIENCE

FLUIDS & HYDRAULICS

MEASUREMENT

RISK & LOSS PREVENTION

ENGINEERING ETHICS

HISTORY OF FIRE

HISTORY

Fires that affected building codes?
History of building codes?
History of fire suppression systems?
History of fire alarm systems?
How did the fire protection industry begin?
Who were the early drivers for providing fire protection?
What was the early history of loss prevention?

FIRE SCIENCE

FLAME

What are the components of fire itself?
What is the fire triangle?
Differences in flame types?
What are the stages of fire growth?
How does fire spread?

HEAT TRANSFER

What is conduction?
How to calculate conduction?
How is fire affected by conduction?
What is convection?
How to calculate convection?
How is fire affected by convection?
How is convection used in fire modeling?
What is radiation?
How to calculate radiation?
How is fire growth affected by radiation?
How is radiation used in fire modeling?

SUPPRESSION & EXTINGUISHMENT

Difference of suppression versus extinguish?
Ways to extinguish a fire?
Why is water a quality suppressant?
How does cooling a fire work?
How does oxygen reduction work?
How does fuel removal work?
How does reaction interruption work?

FLUIDS & HYDRAULICS

HYDROSTATICS

HYDROKINETICS

What is hydrokinetics & Bernoulli's Equation?*
Example of Bernoulli's Equation*
Simulation: Using Bernoulli's Equation
What is the conservation of energy?*
What is the conservation of matter?*
What is flow?*
What tools do we use to measure flow?*
What are the different pressure types in a system?*

FRICTION LOSS

What is friction?
Why is friction important?
What affects friction loss?
How do we reduce friction loss?
Methods for calculating friction loss?
What is the Darcy-Weisbach Method?
What is the Hazen-Williams Formula?
What is Reynolds Number?

SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

Why is water a quality suppressant?
What is the flow and pressure demand of a sprinkler system?

MEASUREMENT

MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

An overview of metric vs imperial systems?
What metric and SI unit conventions are used in fire protection?
What imperial unit conventions are used in fire protection?
Common units of measurement for suppression around the world?
Nominal sizing for imperial measurements?
Nominal sizing for metric measurements?
How to convert from imperial to metric?
How to convert from metric to imperial?

MEASUREMENT TOOLS

What types of flow meters exist?
What is a pitot tube?
How does a pitot tube work?
What is a venturi meter?
How does a venturi meter work?
What is an orifice plate meter?
How to read a gauge?

RISK & LOSS PREVENTION

UNDERWRITING & LOSS PREVENTION

How is risk estimated in loss prevention?
What are the different loss scenarios?
What is the purpose of loss categorizations?
What is Normal Loss Expectancy (NLE)?
What is Probable Maximum Loss (PML)?
What is Estimated Maximum Loss (EML)?
What is Maximum Foreseeable Loss (MFL)?
What is Maximum Possible Loss (MPL)?
What impact does categorization have on estimating loss?

ENGINEERING ETHICS

ETHICS

What are ethics?
Why are ethics important in engineering?

CREEDS, CODES, CANONS, STATUES, AND RULES

Differences between ethics category?
Purpose of a code of ethics?
What are ethical priorities?

INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT

Where do clients and employers fall in ethic responsibility?
How do suppliers affect ethical responsibility?
What guidelines exist for dealing with other engineers?
What responsibility does an engineer have when dealing with decisions that affect the public?
Is competitive bidding unethical?

DOCUMENTS & REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

PLANS

TYPES OF SUBMITTALS

TEMPLATES & DETAILS

QUALITY CONTROL

PLAN REVIEW

INSPECTIONS

INTRODUCTION

PLANS & SUBMITTALS

PLANS

COMPONENTS OF PLANS

What do plans include?*
Importance of "telling a story" with your plans?
What are grids & when are they used?
What are general notes & when are they used?
What are plan notes & when are they used?
What are sections & when are they used?
What are details & when are they used?
What are isometrics & when are they used?
What are specifications & when are they used?
What are schedules & when are they used?
What is a north arrow?

TITLEBLOCKS

What goes into a titleblock?
When do I use my company’s titleblock vs. others?
How do I import titleblocks?

ACCURACY & PRECISIONS

How accurate do drawings need to be?
How precise does a layout need to be?

TYPES OF SUBMITTALS

PRELIMINARY / BID DOCUMENTS

Purpose of preliminary / bid documents?
Why are ambiguous bid documents bad?
What do plans include?*
Why do specifications exist?
Different levels of preliminary / bid documents?
What goes into “performance-design” plans?
What goes into a “full-design” plans?

ENGINEER VS. TECHNICIAN RESPONSIBILITY

What minimum elements need to be included in fire protection preliminary plans?
What is a good examples of preliminary plans?
What are bad examples of preliminary plans?
What is an engineer's responsibility versus a design technician?
Why are minimum engineering responsibilities important?

WORKING PLANS / SHOP DRAWINGS

What goes into a “shop drawing submittal”?
How are shop drawings different than preliminary drawings?
How to review sprinkler shop drawings?
How to review fire alarm shop drawings?

TEMPLATES & DETAILS

TEMPLATES

What is a template?
Why is a project template important?
What goes into a project template?
What goes into a detail template?

DETAIL LIBRARY

What is a detail library?
Why is a library important?
When should I update the library?

QUALITY CONTROL

QUALITY CONTROL

What is QC in design?
What makes great quality control?
How to build self-healing QC systems?

PLAN REVIEW

ABOUT THE AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION

What is an AHJ?
Why have an AHJ?
Who is the AHJ for my project?
What Does the AHJ want for my project?
What do others not understand about AHJs?
How can contractors and designers make things easier for AHJs?
Why chose a role as an AHJ?

PLAN REVIEW CHECKLISTS

Plan review checklist for suppression?
Plan review checklist for fire alarm?
Plan review checklist for life safety?

INSPECTIONS

INSPECTIONS

What are inspectors looking for?
If the AHJ approves a plan, can inspectors require something different?
If an AHJ misses something in plan review can they still require it on the job?
What are the responsibilities of an inspector?
How can contractors make things easier for inspectors?

See our entire breakout for inspections under:

FIRE SUPPRESSION > SITE VISITS
FIRE SUPPRESSION > IT&M

TOOLS

REVIT

CAD

EXCEL

PDF TOOLS

MEYERFIRE TOOLS

OTHER TOOLS

REVIT

INTRO

INTERMEDIATE

ADVANCED

INTRO

INTRODUCTION TO REVIT

What is BIM?
What is Revit?
What is BIM360?*
What paid tools exist for Revit?*
What free tools exist for Revit?*
What is LOD?*

REVIT ORGANIZATION

How to Open a Revit model?
How is Revit Organized?
What Are the Different Types of Views?
What is Visibility Graphics?
What is a View Template?
Usefulness of a Partial View Template?
What is a View Range?
What are the Different Disciplines?

PROJECT SETUP

How to Set Up a BIM360 Project?
How to Link Backgrounds in Revit?
How to Add Custom Room Tags in Revit?
How to Add Grid Lines in Revit?
How to Update a Titleblock?
How to Place Plans on Sheets?
How to Edit a Cover Sheet?
How to Create a Floor Plan?
How to Create a Reflected Ceiling Plan?
How to Apply Templates Automatically?
How to Create a Site Plan?
How to Create a Section?
How to Create an Isometric?
How to Use Scope Boxes?
How to Use Plan Regions?
How to Place and Tag Spaces?

BACKGROUNDS

How to Use PDFs as backgrounds?
How to Convert PDFs to CAD?
How to Bulk-Convert PDFs to CAD?
How to Clean Up CAD backgrounds?
How to Insert CAD to Revit?
How to Link CAD to Revit?
How to Link CAD sections to Revit?
How to Adjust Visibility of Backgrounds in Revit?

USING REVIT EFFICIENTLY

How is Revit Different from CAD?
How is Modeling in Revit Different Than CAD?
What's a Good Mindset for Using Revit?
What are Keyboard Commands?
Why Should I Customize Commands?
How Do I Customize Commands?
How to Import / Export Keyboard Commands?
How Can I Arrange a Workspace for Efficiency?
How Can I Setup My Desk for Efficiency?
How to Use Copy / Paste Aligned?

SCHEDULES

What is a Schedule?
Why Use Schedules?
How do I Create a Schedule?
How do I Edit a Schedule?
How Can I Edit C-Factors for Pipe?
How Can I Edit Pipe Thicknesses?
How to Create Schedule for All Pipes?
How to Create a Schedule to Track Errors?
Example of a Dummy Schedule for Hanger Spacing?
Example of a Dummy Schedule for General Information Sign?

DETAILS

How to Create a Detail in Revit?
What is a Detail Project in Revit?
How to Import a Detail?
How to Organize a Detail Library?
What is a Tag?
How Can I Efficiently Tag My Model?

VISIBILITY & GRAPHICS

What is Visibility Graphics?
What is a View Template?
Why Use a View Template?
How to Apply a View Template?
How to Use Filters?
How to Color Objects?

Usefulness of a Partial View Template?

INTERMEDIATE

SPRINKLER LAYOUT

Best Process for Laying Out Sprinklers & Pipe?
Laying Out Sprinklers: Using Native Revit?
Laying Out Sprinklers: AutoSPRINK RVT?
Laying Out Sprinklers: HydraCAD for Revit?
Laying Out Sprinklers: Viking for Revit?

PIPE LAYOUT

Best Process for Laying Out Pipes?
Ways to Connect Armovers: Native Revit?
Ways to Connect Armovers: AutoSPRINK RVT?
Ways to Connect Armovers: HydraCAD Revit?
Ways to Connect Armovers: Viking for Revit?
Cut-Length Tags using Native Revit*
Cut-Length Tags using AutoSPRINK RVT?
Cut-Length Tags using HydraCAD for Revit?

COORDINATION

How to Coordinate with Mechanical in Revit?

HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS

How to do Hydraulic Calculations in HydraCAD for Revit?
How to do Hydraulic Calculations in AutoSPRINK RVT?

TROUBLESHOOTING

How to fix a slow Revit model?

VICTAULIC FOR REVIT

Quick Tips for Using Victaulic Tools for Revit?

ADVANCED

TEMPLATES

What is a Project Template?
Why is a Project Template Important?
How to Set up a New Project Template?
What Kinds of Things go Into a Project Template?

FAMILIES

What is a Family?
What is a Family Library?
What Considerations go Into Creating a Family?
What is a Good Family vs. Bad Family?

PARAMETERS

What is a Parameter?
Difference Between Instance & Type Parameters?
How Do I Edit an Instance Parameters?
How Do I Edit a Type Parameters?
How Do I Create a New Parameters?
Control On/Off Visibility for Part of a Family?

CAD

CAD

What is CAD?
Difference between CAD and BIM?
What software tools exist for CAD?
What tools can convert PDF to CAD?
How to use PDFIMPORT command?
How to Bulk Convert PDF to CAD?
How to use PRINT 2 CAD?

EXCEL

FUNDAMENTALS OF EXCEL

Why use Excel in Fire Protection?
Organization of Excel
How to Use Workbooks and Sheets
Properties of a Cell
Types of a Cell
Introduction to Formulas for Fire Protection
How to write effective formulas
How to use IF statements
How to use CONCATENATE function
How to use LOOKUP function
How to use VLOOKUP function

PDF TOOLS

PDF TOOLS

Why do PDFs matter in construction?
What PDF tools exist?
How to Bulk Convert PDF to CAD?

FOXIT

How to Measure PDFs (for free)?*

BLUEBEAM

How is Bluebeam Organized?
How to do Takeoffs in Bluebeam?
How to Create Hyperlinks for Sheetlists, Callouts, Labels, with Revit?

MEYERFIRE TOOLS

MEYERFIRE TOOLS

OTHER TOOLS

FREE TOOLS

What helpful free tools exist?

CODE & LIFE SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

BUILDING OCCUPANCY

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

BUILDING HEIGHT & AREA

CONSTRUCTION TYPES

FIRE & SMOKE FEATURES

INTERIOR FINISHES

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

MEANS OF EGRESS

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

SITE WATER SUPPLY

INTRODUCTION

BUILDING CODES

What is a building code?
How are codes & standards developed?
What is a model code?
What code organizations exist?
What is the applicable code for my project?*
What codes apply to an existing building under normal operations?
What codes apply to an existing building undergoing renovation?
Why does code compliance matter?
How is the IBC Organized? Tips & Tricks

STANDARDS

What is a standard?
What are the applicable standards for my project?
Prescriptive vs performance-based standard?

BUILDING OCCUPANCY

OCCUPANCY

How do I determine building occupancy?
Difference between use and occupancy?
Why does Occupancy matter?

MIXED-OCCUPANCY

What is mixed-use (mixed-occupancy) building?
Different approaches to mixed-use buildings?
What is Incidental Use?
What is an Accessory Occupancy?
How does Fire-Rated Separation Affect Mixed Occupancy?

TYPES OF OCCUPANCY IN THE IBC

What is an Assembly Occupancy?
What is a Business Occupancy?
What is an Educational Occupancy?
What is a Factory/Industrial Occupancy?
What is a High-Hazard Occupancy?
What is an Institutional Occupancy?
What is a Mercantile Occupancy?
What is a Residential Occupancy?
What is a Storage Occupancy?
What is a Utility Occupancy?

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

ATRIUMS

What is an Atrium?
What special requirements apply to atriums?

HIGHRISES

What is a highrise?
What special requirements apply to highrises?

VERTICAL OPENINGS

What is a vertical opening?
Where are vertical openings allowed?

BUILDING HEIGHT & AREA

BUILDING HEIGHT

How is building height defined?
What is an allowable building height?
How to determine allowable building height?

BUILDING AREA

How is building area defined?
What is a fire area versus a building area?
What is an allowable building area?
How to determine allowable building area?

CONSTRUCTION TYPES

CONSTRUCTION TYPE

What are the different construction types?
Why does construction type matter?
What is podium-style construction?
How does construction type affect sprinklers?

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

How are buildings actually constructed?
What is actually above a ceiling?
What systems go into a typical building?
At what heights are different systems installed?
What are the general rules about where where different building systems are located?
What building system is the most important?
Who has to move when there's a building conflict?

STRUCTURE

What are the different types of structure?
What details about structure is important for sprinklers?
What details about structure is important for fire alarm?

MECHANICAL

What are common types of mechanical systems?
What mechanical systems affect sprinklers?
What mechanical systems affect fire alarm?

FIRE & SMOKE FEATURES

FIRE-RATED CONSTRUCTION

What is a fire partition?
What is a fire barrier?
What is a fire wall?
When are each types used?
What are ratings for each type?
How do fire-rated separations affect fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems?

SMOKE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION

What is a smoke partition?
What is a smoke barrier?
When are each types used?
What are ratings for each type?
How do smoke partitions & barriers affect fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems?

DUCTS & AIR TRANSFER OPENINGS

When is a fire damper required?
When is a smoke damper required?
When are combination fire/smoke dampers required?

FIRESTOP & FIREPROOFING

What is firestop?
When is firestop used?
What is fireproofing?
When is fireproofing used?

OPENINGS IN RATED CONSTRUCTION

What is an opening protective?
Where can opening protectives be used?
How to determine the required fire-resistance-rating of opening protectives?
What is a vertical opening?
Where are vertical openings allowed?

INTERIOR FINISHES

INTERIOR FINISHES

What are the different interior finish types?
What requirements exist for each type

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS

When are sprinklers required?
Example of when sprinklers are required?
When are sprinklers req'd in existing buildings?
When are sprinklers req'd in mixed-use?

STANDPIPE REQUIREMENTS

OWNER REQUIREMENTS

SPRINKLER STANDARDS

MEANS OF EGRESS

INTRODUCTION TO MEANS OF EGRESS

OCCUPANT LOADS

EXITS

What is an "exit"?*
What are the different types of exits?
What is the difference between exit, exit access, and exit discharge?*
How is exit access arranged?*
Where should exits be located?*
How do occupants know where exits are located?*
How to determine the number of required exits?*
What is an exit capacity factor?*
What are the key differences between IBC and NFPA 101 for exit capacity factors?*

STAIRS

How are "stairs" used in a means of egress?
Difference between interior exit stair and exit access stair?
When can an exit access stair be used as a means of egress?
What are the construction requirements for interior exit stairs?
What are interior exit stair discharge requirements?

TRAVEL TO EXITS

What is "travel distance"?
Maximum travel distance in NFPA 101 & the IBC?
What is "Common Path of Travel"?
What is a "Dead End Corridor"?
What are the differences between Common Path of Travel and Dead End Corridors?
How must exit access doors be arranged?

DOORS

What direction must means of egress doors swing?
What means of egress door locking arrangements are permitted?
What are the door hardware requirements for means of egress doors?
What are the requirements for revolving and horizontal sliding doors in means of egress?

ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS

What is an accessible means of egress?
Components of accessible means of egress?
How many accessible means of egress are required?
How can a stairway serve as an accessible means of egress?
How can an elevator serve as an accessible means of egress?
What is an area of refuge and when are they required?
What is a two way communication system and when are they required?

ADVANCED TOPICS

What is an "exit passageway"?
What is a "horizontal exit"?
What is exit convergence?
What is the difference between handrails and guards?
What is exit access encroachment and when is it permitted?
What is an intervening space and when is exit access through one permitted?
What are exit access headroom requirements?
What are the continuity requirements for exit access width?
What are the continuity requirements for exit arrangement?
What is an occupant evacuation elevator?
What is a partial evacuation egress strategy?
What is a defend in place egress strategy?

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

FIRE ACCESS

What is fire access?
What are the components of fire access?
When is fire access required?
Tips & tricks for accommodating fire access?

KEY BOXES

What is a fire department key box?
When are key boxes required?
Where are key boxes located?

FIRE COMMAND CENTERS

What is a fire command center?
When is a fire command center required?
Components of a fire command center?

EMERGENCY RESPONDER SYSTEMS

What is emergency responder radio coverage?
When is emergency radio coverage required?
What goes into emergency responder radio coverage?
What is a firefighter air replenishment system?

SITE WATER SUPPLY

FIRE FLOW

What is fire flow?
How to determine fire flow?

FIRE HYDRANTS

What are the components of a fire hydrant?
When are fire hydrants required?
Where should hydrants be located?
What is the required hydrant spacing?
How are hydrants labeled and identified?
Types of hydrants exist?

FIRE SUPPRESSION

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CODE, PROJECT RESEARCH

3. SITE VISITS

4. COORDINATION

5. SYSTEM TYPES

6. WATER SUPPLIES

7. RISERS & ZONES

8. CONSTRUCTION

9. HAZARDS

10. SPRINKLER COMPONENTS

11. SPRINKLER LAYOUT

12. PIPE

13. FITTINGS

14. ACCESSORIES

15. HANGERS

16. SEISMIC BRACING

17. HYDRAULIC CALCS

18. FIRE PUMPS

19. WATER STORAGE TANKS

20. IT&M

21. SPECIAL SITUATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

STANDPIPE SYSTEMS

2. CODE, PROJECT RESEARCH

SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS

OWNER REQUIREMENTS

SPRINKLER STANDARDS

STANDPIPE REQUIREMENTS

STANDPIPE STANDARDS

3. SITE VISITS

DESIGN

INSURANCE

INSPECTION

DESIGN

SITE VISITS FOR DESIGN & ESTIMATING

When are site visits necessary?
What information is needed from a site visit?
How do I measure an existing building?
Key measurements for an existing building?
How do I measure an existing system?
Key measurements for an existing system?
What tools are helpful for pre-bid site visits?
What tools are helpful to do site takeoffs?*
What should I be looking for in a design site visit?
What tools do I use for scopes?

INSURANCE

SITE VISITS FOR INSURANCE CARRIERS

When are site visits necessary?
Purpose of insurance inspection?
How to schedule an insurance inspection?
How to prepare for an insurance inspection?
What information is needed for an insurer site visit?
What is an entrance meeting?

REINSPECTIONS

How best to review prior recommendations?
How best to review changes & projects?

COLLECTING INFORMATION

What information needs to be collected?
Collecting information for process?
Collecting information for specific hazards?
Collecting information for utilities?
Collecting information for water supply type?
Collecting information for suppression systems?
Collecting information for storage?
Collecting information for water supply tests?

INSPECTION TIPS FOR SUPPRESSION

How to inspect for system capability?*
How to inspect for sprinkler orientations?
How to inspect for obstructions?
How to inspect for sprinkler temperature?
How to inspect for hangers?
How to inspect for clearances?
How to inspect for K-Factors & Orifices?

REVIEW & TESTING

How best to review procedures in place?
How to review testing of suppression systems?
What tools are helpful for insurer site visits?
What are red flags that need further attention?
What are the most common issues from reviews?
How to compose an insurer review report?

INSPECTION

SITE VISITS FOR INSPECTORS

INSPECTION TIPS FOR SUPPRESSION

4. COORDINATION

COORDINATION WITH ARCHITECTS

VERTICAL SPACE COORDINATION

What goes into a floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly?

COORDINATION WITH AHJs

What to ask an AHJ?
As an AHJ, what questions should be asked?

COORDINATION WITH CIVIL

How to coordinate different building services?

COORDINATION WITH ELECTRICAL

What needs to be coordinated with electrical?*
Can I route pipe near electrical equipment?*
Are sprinklers required in electrical rooms?*
How much load will my fire pump need?*
Does my fire pump need backup power?
How are generators sized regarding fire pumps?
What types of fire pump starters are there?
How does my fire pump starter affect generators?
A recap of sprinkler & electrical Coordination.

COORDINATION WITH MECHANICAL

What mechanical information do I need?
What are common challenges in design with HVAC?
Who takes priority in coordinating space?
What are the different types of ductwork?
How much space does ductwork take up?
How much space does ductwork actually need?
What does the mechanical designer need from me?

COORDINATION WITH PLUMBING

What plumbing information do I need?
What are common challenges with plumbing?
How much space does water, gas, and other plumbing-design systems need?
Can my drains connect to waste systems?
Where will I have drains in a sprinkler system?
Where will I have drains in a standpipe system?
How to coordinate drains with plumbing design?
What types of plumbing drains are there?
What size should a plumbing drain be?
How can I estimate how much discharge I'll have?

COORDINATION WITH STRUCTURAL

What structural information do I need?
Common challenges with wood construction?
What are common challenges with steel construction?
Common challenges with concrete construction?
Common challenges precast concrete construction?
What does the structural designer need from me?
How to calculate the weight of a sprinkler system?
Is the structural engineer considering my system?
What structural details are important for sprinklers?*

5. SYSTEM TYPES

SPRINKLER SYSTEM TYPES

What types of sprinkler systems exist?
How do combined sprinkler/standpipe systems work?

SPRINKLER SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS

What system arrangements exist?
What is the benefit of a tree system?
When are tree-systems used?
What is the benefit of a looped system?
When are looped-systems used?
What is the benefit of a grid system?
When are gridded systems used?

WET SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

What are the components of a wet pipe system?
How do wet systems work?
Where are wet systems used?
What tips & tricks should I consider with wet systems?

DRY SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

What are the components of a dry pipe system?
How do dry systems work?
Where are dry systems used?
What tips & tricks should I consider with dry systems?

PRE-ACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

What are the components of a pre-action system?
How do pre-action systems work?
Where are pre-action systems used?
What tips & tricks should I consider with pre-action?

DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

What are the components of a deluge system?
How do deluge systems work?
Where are deluge systems used?
What tips & tricks should I consider with deluge?

STANDPIPE TYPES & CLASSES

What types of standpipe systems exist?
What classes of standpipe systems exist?

MANUAL STANDPIPES

What are the components of a manual standpipe?

Where are manual standpipes used & required?
Tips & tricks to consider with manual standpipes?

AUTOMATIC STANDPIPES

What are the components of an automatic standpipe?

Where are automatic standpipes used & required?
Tips & tricks to consider with automatic standpipes

CLASSES OF STANDPIPES

Components of a Class I standpipe?
Where are Class I standpipes used?
Components of a Class II standpipe?
Where are Class II standpipes used?
Components of a Class III standpipe?
Where are Class III standpipes used?

6. WATER SUPPLIES

OVERVIEW

How to categorize types of water supplies?
How does a municipal water supply fluctuate?

FLOW TESTS

What is a flow test?
How do I run a flow test?
What is a discharge coefficient?
How to apply discharge coefficient?
How to convert a pitot pressure to residual?
Tips & best practices for flow tests?
How do I coordinate a flow test with the AHJ?

QUANTIFYING A WATER SUPPLY

What is an N^1.85 graph?
How to read an N^1.85 graph?
What is interpolation and extrapolation?
Advantage of flowing more water in a flow test?
How to extrapolate fire flow on a water supply?*
How to calculate any point along a water supply?
Example of available water supply on N^1.85 graph?
Examples of different water supply results?
How to show variation on N^1.85 graph?
Example of demand on N^1.85 graph?
How to determine safety factor on N^1.85 graph?

FIRE FLOW

What is fire flow?
How to determine fire flow?

FIRE HYDRANTS

What are the components of a fire hydrant?
When are fire hydrants required?
Where should hydrants be located?
What is the required hydrant spacing?
How are hydrants labeled and identified?
Types of hydrants exist?

WATER STORAGE TANKS

What types of water storage tanks exist?
Components of an elevated water tower?
Components of a pressure tank?
Components of a water supply by pump?

7. RISERS & ZONES

ZONES

How many zones are needed for my system?
How many zones for healthcare occupancies?
How many zones for smoke control assemblies?
How many zones for multi-level buildings?
How many zones for large buildings?

RISER ASSEMBLIES

Where does my building riser go?
What are the components of a riser assembly?
What are the components of a floor-control valve?

8. CONSTRUCTION

BUILDING STRUCTURE

OBSTRUCTED CONSTRUCTION

UNOBSTRUCTED CONSTRUCTION

9. HAZARDS

SPRINKLER OCCUPANCY HAZARD CLASSIFICATIONS

STORAGE

Steps to get storage design criteria?
Difference of hazard vs commodity classification?
What are the different commodity classifications?
Workshop: Determine Commodities
What are different storage arrangements?
Workshop: Identify Storage Arrangements
When is an engineered analysis required?
What is high-piled storage?
When are heat and smoke vents required?

COMBUSTIBILITY

What is Combustible Construction?
What is Non-Combustible Construction?
What is Limited-Combustible Construction?

CONCEALED SPACES

What is a Concealed Space?
When are sprinklers required in concealed spaces?
How does a concealed space affect sprinkler type?
How does a concealed space affect sprinkler layout?
Example layout of sprinklers in a concealed space.

10. SPRINKLER COMPONENTS

SPRINKLER TYPES

What different types of sprinklers exist?

What are special application sprinklers?

Why use different types of sprinklers?
Should I mix sprinklers for each area?
How many sprinkler models exist?

SPRINKLER ORIENTATION

What are different sprinkler orientations?
Where are Sidewall Sprinklers Used?
Downsides to using Sidewall Sprinklers?
Where are Sidewall Sprinklers Allowed?*

SPRINKLER COMPONENTS

What are the components of a sprinkler?
What is a k-factor?
How do I best select a k-factor?
What is a response for a sprinkler?
Where to use quick vs. standard response sprinklers?

SPRINKLER LISTINGS

What is a listing for a sprinkler?
What goes into testing for a sprinkler?

11. SPRINKLER LAYOUT

LAYOUT PREP

Which areas do and don't require sprinklers?
What is "center of tile"?

LAYOUT RULES: STANDARD SPRAY

LAYOUT STEPS

What are the Steps to layout sprinklers?
Layout Example: Conference Room
Layout Example: Mechanical Room, Part I
Layout Example: Mechanical Room, Part II
Why does sprinkler spacing matter?
Layout Example: Ambulance Bay, Part I
Layout Example: Ambulance Bay, Part II
Exercise: gather sprinkler spacing criteria
Exercise: review sprinkler layouts

LAYOUT RULES: OTHER SPRINKLER TYPES

Spacing rules for extended coverage sprinklers?
Spacing rules for residential sprinklers?
Spacing rules for CMSA sprinklers?
Spacing rules for ESFR sprinklers?
Spacing rules for special application sprinklers?

HEIGHT & OBSTRUCTIONS

Is my sprinkler obstructed?
What are the rules for obstructions?
What is a beam obstruction?
What is a soffit obstruction?
How to treat solid walls as obstructions?
What is a floor-mounted obstruction?

12. PIPE

ABOUT PIPE

What different types of pipe exist?
How is pipe manufactured?
When to use different types of pipe?
What is the maximum pipe length to use?
What is a cut-length versus center-center Length?*
What tips & tricks for pipe lengths?

SPRINKLER CONNECTORS

Options for connecting sprinklers to branch pipe?
What is an armover, and when is it used?
What is a drop, and when is it used?
What is a sprig, and when is it used?
What is a flex drop, and when is it used?
How to decide between sprinkler connection types?

BRANCH PIPE

Where do I locate branch pipe?
Which direction should branch pipe run?
How does structure type affect pipe routing?
How many branch lines are ideal?
What is the best height to locate a pipe?
Tips & tricks for routing branch pipe?

MAINS

Where do I locate mains?
Options for connecting branch lines to mains?
What is the best height to locate a main?

13. FITTINGS

FITTING TYPES

What types of fittings exist?
When to use grooved versus threaded fittings?
When to use different pipe finishes?
How do takeouts work?

WELDED OUTLETS

How do outlets work on pipe?
When to use welded outlets?

COUPLINGS

What is a coupling?
Where are couplings used?

ELBOWS & TEES

What is an elbow or a tee?
When are elbows and tees used?
What is a mechanical tee and when are they used?

UNIONS

What is a union and when is it used?

14. ACCESSORIES

COMPRESSED AIR

When is a compressor needed?
Components of a compressor?
Types of compressors?
How to size an air compressor?
Tips & tricks for using air compressors?

DRAINS

What is a drain?
When are drains required?
Types of drains?
How to size a drain?
Where can drains be routed?
Where are my low points?
Tips & tricks for drain design?

FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS

What is an FDC?
Where are FDCs located?
What types of FDCs exist?
Purpose of an FDC?
How does an FDC work?
Components of an FDC?
Is a drum drip required for FDCs?

GAUGES

What is a gauge?
Components of a gauge?
Types of gauges?
Requirements for gauges?
Tips & tricks for gauges?

HOSE CABINETS

What is a hose cabinet?
Components of a hose cabinet?
When are hose cabinets required?

INSPECTOR’S TESTS

What is an inspector’s test?
Where are inspector’s tests located?
When are inspector’s tests & drains combined?
Tips & tricks for inspector’s tests?

NITROGEN

When is nitrogen used?
Why use nitrogen?
Components of a nitrogen generator?
Tips & tricks for using nitrogen?

15. HANGERS

HANGERS

Components of a hanger assembly?
Different types of hangers?
Difference between hanger and seismic brace?
When to use different types of hangers?

ATTACHMENTS

What is a concrete anchor?
What types of beam hangers exist?
What types of wood hangers exist?
Listings required for hangers
Tips & tricks for hanger selection

16. SEISMIC BRACING

SEISMIC

Components of seismic bracing?
When is seismic bracing required?
What is a seismic design category?
Difference between bracing & restraint?
Programs for calculating seismic bracing components?

17. HYDRAULIC CALCS

HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS

How do hydraulic calculations work?
Why do a hydraulic calculation?
What is a hydraulic node?
How to calculate starting pressure for a sprinkler?
Step-by-step hydraulic calculations?
What goes into a hydraulic calc summary?
What goes into a hydraulic placard?

ESTIMATING THE DEMAND

How do I get a rough idea on a system demand flow?
How do I get a rough idea on system pressure?
How do I estimate when I'll need a fire pump?

DESIGN CRITERIA

What is a sprinkler design criteria?
Different methods for sprinkler design criteria?
How to get a residential sprinkler design criteria?
How to get a density/area design criteria?
How to get storage design criteria?

REMOTE AREA

What is a remote area?
Where is a remote area?
How to determine remote area shape?

COMPONENTS

Friction loss for backflow preventers?
Friction loss for flow switches?
Friction loss for valves?
Friction loss for tees?
Friction loss for elbows?
Friction loss for couplings?

STANDPIPES

How is a standpipe calculated?
How to determine flow in a standpipe calculation?
How to determine starting pressure in a standpipe calculation?

18. FIRE PUMPS

INTRO

COMPONENTS

DESIGN

COORDINATION

INTRO

INTRODUCTION

When is a fire pump required?
Types of fire pumps?
When to use each type of pump?
How does a fire pump work?
Components of an electric fire pump assembly?
Components of a diesel fire pump assembly?
When to use a pump when not required?
Difference between fire pumps & mechanical pumps?

CODES & STANDARDS

What codes & standards apply to fire pumps?
An overview of NFPA 20
Does an NFPA 13D system require NFPA 20?
Is a fire pump required to be listed?

COMPONENTS

INTRODUCTION

Components of an electric fire pump assembly?
Components of a diesel fire pump assembly?

CIRCULATION RELIEF VALVES

What are Circulation Relief Valves?
When are Circulation Relief Valves Used?
How are Circulation Relief Valves Sized?

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES

What are Pressure Relief Valves?
When are Pressure Relief Valves Used?
How are Pressure Relief Valves Sized?

AUTOMATIC AIR RELEASE

What is automatic air release?
When is automatic air release Used?
How is automatic air release Sized?

TEST HEADERS

What is fire pump test header?
When is a fire pump test header used?
How is a fire pump test header Sized?
How to size the pipe feeding a test header?
Tips & tricks for working with test headers?

COOLING SYSTEMS

What is a diesel fire pump cooling water system?
Why are cooling water systems important?
How are cooling water systems sized?
Tips & tricks for working with cooling water systems?

CONTROLLERS & SENSING LINES

What are sensing lines?
Why are sensing lines important?
Tips & tricks when working with sensing lines?
How large are controllers?
What clearances are required for controllers?
How much space do controllers need?
Requirements for conduit to controllers?
What is overspeed shutdown?
Why is overspeed shutdown important?
Tips & tricks for working with overspeed shutdown?

SCREENING

Purpose of screening on pump suction?
When is screening required?
Tips & tricks when screening for fire pumps?

STRAIN RELIEF

Requirements for strain relief?
Purpose of strain relief on pump suction?

SUCTION VALVE(S)

Purpose of valves on the pump suction side?
Requirements for suction valves?
Types of pump suction valves?
Size of pump suction valve?
Tips & tricks for pump suction valves?

SUCTION FROM PUMPS

What is an anti-vortex plate?
How to arrange an anti-vortex plate?
Tips & tricks for using anti-vortex plates?

REDUCERS

When are reducers required in a pump layout?
What is an eccentric reducer?
What is a concentric reducer?
Where to use each type of reducer?
Does a pump layout require reducers?

DESIGN

INTRODUCTION

When is a fire pump required?
Types of fire pumps?
When to use each type of pump?
How does a fire pump work?
Components of an electric fire pump assembly?
Components of a diesel fire pump assembly?
When to use a pump when not required?

SIZING

How to size a fire pump?
Workshop: Sizing a Fire Pump
What horsepower will the fire pump be?
How to select a fire pump model?
How to optimize a fire pump size?
Natural thresholds of suppression pressure limits?

ARRANGEMENT

How to arrange suction pipe?
How to arrange bypass pipe?
How are circulation loops routed?
When are circulation loops required?

SEQUENCING

When are multiple fire pumps used?
How to arrange multiple fire pumps?
How does startup sequencing work?

FIRE PUMP ROOMS

What is a fire pump room's fire-resistance rating?
How large does a fire pump room need to be?
Where does a fire pump room need to be located?

COORDINATION

ELECTRICAL

What information does electrical need?
Is backup power required for a pump?

ARCHITECTURAL

How much space does a fire pump need?
Does a fire pump room need to be rated?

MECHNICAL

Does the pump room need heat?
Does the fire pump room need to be conditioned?
Can the fire pump room share space with mechanical?

PLUMBING

Does the pump room need a drain?
Can the fire pump room share space with other equipment?

19. WATER STORAGE TANKS

OVERVIEW

When is a water storage tank required?
Types of storage tanks?
How to size a water storage tank?
Tips & tricks for water storage tanks?

SUPPLIES

What types of water storage tanks exist?
Components of an elevated water tower?
Components of a pressure tank?
Components of a water supply by pump?

20. IT&M

AHJ & INSURANCE INSPECTIONS

See SITE VISITS in this subject.

ACCEPTANCE TESTING

Flushing tests
Hydrostatic testing
Flow switch testing
Valve exercising

INSPECTIONS

What standards cover inspections, testing & maintenance?
When does NFPA 25 apply?
An overview of NFPA 25?
How does system tagging work?
Do NFPA 13 issues get addressed in an inspection?
Reporting for NFPA 25 inspections?
Common NFPA 25 deficiencies?
This area to be expanded upon in future revisions.

21. SPECIAL SITUATIONS

REQUIRED PROTECTION

Which areas require and don't require sprinklers?

BALCONIES, CANOPIES & OVERHANGS

When are sprinklers required for balconies?
When are sprinklers required for porte-cocheres?
When are sprinklers required for overhangs?

BATHROOMS

When are sprinklers required in bathrooms?

CLOSETS

When are sprinklers required in closets?

CLOUD CEILINGS

When are sprinklers required in cloud ceilings?

CONCEALED SPACES

What is a Concealed Space?
When are sprinklers required in concealed spaces?
How does a concealed space affect sprinkler type?
How does a concealed space affect sprinkler layout?
Example layout of sprinklers in a concealed space.

COOLERS & FREEZERS

When are sprinklers required in coolers & freezers?

ELECTRICAL ROOMS

When are sprinklers required in electrical rooms?

ELEVATORS

Different types of elevators?
When are sprinklers required in elevator shafts?
When are sprinklers required in elevator machine rooms?

FURNITURE

When are sprinklers required in furniture?

HVLS FANS

How to coordinate sprinklers near HVLS fans?

OVERHEAD DOORS

When are sprinklers required below overhead doors?

STAIRWELLS

Where are sprinklers required in stairwells?

FIRE ALARM

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CODE, PROJECT RESEARCH

3. SYSTEM TYPES

4. SIGNALING

5. CONTROL EQUIPMENT

6. INITIATION DEVICES

7. NOTIFICATION

8. SUPERVISION

9. MASS NOTIFICATION

10. INTERFACING

1. INTRODUCTION

OVERVIEW

2. CODE, PROJECT RESEARCH

WHERE REQUIRED

PROJECT RESEARCH

What information do I need to get started?
What information do I need architecturally?
What information do I need from MEP?
Does the owner have standards or specifications?*

SITE VISITS

What information is important in a site visit?
Checklists for site visits?

COORDINATION

What questions to ask an architect?
What questions to ask an AHJ?
What questions does an AHJ want concerning fire alarm?
What information is needed for other systems?

3. SYSTEM TYPES

OVERVIEW

COMMERCIAL SYSTEMS

RESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS

NOTIFICATION TYPES

INITIATION TYPES

What is a conventional system?
What is an addressable system?
When are conventional vs. addressable used?
What is a manual system?
What is an automatic system?

4. SIGNALING

SIGNAL TYPES

What types of signals do fire alarm systems use?
What is an alarm signal?
What are alarm signals used for?
What is a trouble signal?
What are trouble signals used for?
What is a supervisory signal?
What are supervisory signals used for?

DOCUMENTATION

What is an example Sequence of Operations?
What is an example Input/Output Matrix?

5. CONTROL EQUIPMENT

MAIN PANEL

What is an FACP?
Components of an FACP?
Where is an FACP located?
What types of FACPs exist?
Tips & tricks to consider?

ANNUNCIATOR PANEL

What is an annunciator panel?
When are annunciator panels required?
Where are annunciator panels located?
Tips & tricks with annunicators?

POWER SUPPLIES

What is a power supply?
Components of a power supply?
Where are power supplies required?
Tips & tricks with power supplies?

AMPLIFIERS

What is an amplifier?
Components of an amplifier?
Where are amplifiers required?
Tips & tricks with amplifiers?

6. INITIATION DEVICES

HEAT DETECTORS

Components of a heat detector?
What types of heat detectors exist?
Where are heat detectors required?

DUCT-TYPE SMOKE DETECTORS

Components of a duct-type smoke detector?
What types of duct detectors exist?
Where are duct detectors required?
Tips & tricks to consider with duct detectors?

SPOT-TYPE SMOKE DETECTORS

Components of a smoke detector?
What types of smoke detectors exist?
Where are smoke detectors required?
Tips & tricks to consider with smoke detectors?

MANUAL PULL STATIONS

Components of a pull station?
What types of pull stations exist?
Where are pull stations required?
Tips & tricks to consider with pull stations?

CONTROL & MONITORING MODULES

Components of a control & monitor module?
What types of control & monitor modules exist?
Where are control & monitor modules required?
Tips & tricks to consider with control & monitor modules?

CARBON MONOXIDE

Components of a carbon monoxide detector?
What types of carbon monoxide detectors exist?
Where are carbon monoxide detectors required?
Tips & tricks to consider with carbon monoxide detectors?

TAMPER SWITCHES

Components of a tamper switch?
What types of tamper switches exist?
Where are tamper switches required?
Tips & tricks to consider with tamper switches?

WATERFLOW SWITCHES

Components of a waterflow switch?
What types of waterflow switches exist?
Where are waterflow switches required?
Tips & tricks to consider with waterflow switches?

7. NOTIFICATION

OVERVIEW

What are the different modes of operation?
That type of notification appliances exist?

AUDIBILE NOTIFICATION

What is Temporal-3?
What is EVACs?
Components of horn?
Components of a speaker?
Where is audibility required?
Tips & tricks for meeting audibility?
Where to locate audible appliances?
What is low-frequency, and when is it required?

VISIBLE NOTIFICATION

What types of visual appliances exist?
Components of visual appliances?
Components of text boards?
Where are text boards required?
Where are visual appliances required?
Tips & tricks for visual coverage?

TACTILE APPLIANCES

Where are tactile appliances required?

8. SUPERVISION

SUPERVISION

What types of fire alarm supervision exist?
When is supervision required?
What signals are required to be output?

SUPERVISING STATION SERVICES

What is a remote supervising station?
What is a central supervising station?
What is a proprietary supervising station?

COMMUNICATION METHODS

What methods of monitoring exist?
What supervision is required for fire alarm systems?
What methods for monitoring are common today?

DIGITAL ALARM COMMUNICATORS

What is a Digital Alarm Communication Transmitter?
Where are DACTs used?

TWO-WAY RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEMS

What is a two-way radio frequency system?
Where are two-way radio frequency systems used?

ONE-WAY PRIVATE RADIO ALARM SYSTEMS

What is a one-way private radio system?
Where are one-way private radio systems used?

PERFORMANCE-BASED TECHNOLOGIES

What is a performance-based technology category for fire alarm system supervision?
Where are performance-based technologies used?
What are examples of performance-based technologies for fire alarm supervision?

9. MASS NOTIFICATION

MASS NOTIFICATION

What is a mass notification system?
Why does mass notification exist?
Where is mass notification required?
How does mass notification interact with fire alarm?
Is mass notification a higher priority than fire alarm?
Difference between fire alarm and mass notification?
What messages does mass notification use?
What are One-Way and Two-Way Emergency Communication Systems?

TYPES OF MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

What is an In Building Mass Notification System?
What is a Wide-Area Mass Notification System?
What is a Distributed Recipient Mass Notification System?

10. INTERFACING

INTERFACING

How does fire alarm interface with other systems?
When is interfacing required?

AREA OF REFUGE

What is an Area of Refuge?
Where is an Area of Refuge required?
What is an Area of Refuge Emergency Communication System?
Where are Area of Refuge Emergency Communication Systems required?

ELEVATORS

Why is elevator recall important?
Components of elevator recall and shunt trip?
Where is elevator recall required?
Where is elevator shunt trip required?

KITCHEN HOOD MONITORING

Why is kitchen hood monitoring important?
Where is kitchen hood monitoring required?
Components of kitchen hood monitoring?

MECHANICAL UNIT SHUTDOWN

Why is mechanical shutdown important?
Where is mechanical shutdown required?
Components of mechanical unit shutdown?

STAIRWELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

What is a Stairwell Communication System?
Where are Stairwell Communication Systems required?

MULTI-SYSTEMS

Are multiple systems allowed in one building?
How do multiple system interact?

SMOKE CONTROL

1. INTRO & PROCESSES

2. BASIS FOR DESIGN

1. INTRO & PROCESSES

OVERVIEW

What is a smoke control system?
When is a smoke control system required?*
What codes & standards apply to smoke control systems?*
Why provide a smoke control system?*
Difference between smoke control, containment, management, and smoke exhaust systems?*