BROWSE BY TOPIC
BROWSE BY COURSE
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
WORKFLOW & EFFICIENCY
WORKFLOW, EFFICIENCY, & EFFECTIVENESS
IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS: A 2-YEAR STUDY
MAKING CHANGE
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
CONSULTING
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
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
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 ​

MEASUREMENT
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
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
PLANS
TYPES OF SUBMITTALS
TEMPLATES & DETAILS
QUALITY CONTROL
PLAN REVIEW & THE AHJ
INSPECTIONS
PLANS
PLANS & SUBMITTALS
THE COMPONENTS OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS
  • Why "tell the story" with your plans?
  • Does drawing presentation matter?
  • The symbol legend; uses & tips*
  • 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 & THE AHJ
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
AUTOCAD
EXCEL
PDF TOOLS
MEYERFIRE TOOLS
OTHER TOOLS
REVIT
INTRO
INTERMEDIATE
ADVANCED
INTRO
INTRODUCTION TO REVIT ​
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
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
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
AUTOCAD
INTRODUCTION
  • What is AutoCAD?*
  • What to expect when you open AutoCAD?*
  • CAD "working" files vs. "plot" files?*
  • How to navigate AutoCAD?*
  • Tips for using AutoCAD effectively?*
  • What software tools exist for CAD?*

CAD RESOURCES
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 CONVERSION
FOXIT
BLUEBEAM
  • How is Bluebeam Organized?
  • How to do Takeoffs in Bluebeam?
  • How to Create Hyperlinks for Sheetlists, Callouts, Labels, with Revit?
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
INTRODUCTION
BUILDING OCCUPANCY
OCCUPANCY
MIXED-OCCUPANCY
TYPES OF OCCUPANCY IN THE IBC
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
​ATRIUMS
  • What is an Atrium?
  • What special requirements apply to atriums?

HIGHRISES
VERTICAL OPENINGS
  • What is a vertical opening?
  • Where are vertical openings allowed?
BUILDING HEIGHT & AREA
BUILDING HEIGHT
BUILDING AREA
CONSTRUCTION TYPES
CONSTRUCTION TYPE
FIRE & SMOKE FEATURES
FIRE-RATED CONSTRUCTION  
SMOKE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
FLOOR CONSTRUCTION
DUCTS & AIR TRANSFER OPENINGS
  • When is a fire damper required?
  • When is a smoke damper required?
  • When are combination fire/smoke dampers required? 

OPENINGS IN RATED CONSTRUCTION
  • What is a penetration vs. firestop?
  • When is firestop required?
  • Components of a firestop system
  • Examples of through-penetration assemblies?
  • What is an engineering judgement?
  • What is a joint, and what are the different types?
INTERIOR FINISHES
INTERIOR FINISHES
  • What are the different interior finish types?
  • What requirements exist for each type
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
MEANS OF EGRESS
INTRODUCTION TO MEANS OF EGRESS
OCCUPANT LOADS  
EXITS
STAIRS
  • What are Stairs?
  • What is an Interior Exit Stairway?
  • What is an Exterior Exit Stairway?
  • What is an Exit Access Stairway?
  • Fundamental Requirements for Stairways?
  • Crossword: Stair Terminology
  • Requirements for Stair Landings?
  • Use Exit Access Stair as Means of Egress?

​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?
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
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
INSURANCE
SITE VISITS FOR INSURANCE CARRIERS
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
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
4. COORDINATION
 COORDINATION WITH ARCHITECTS
VERTICAL SPACE COORDINATION
  • What goes into a floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly?
  • What is actually above a ceiling?
  • 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?

COORDINATION WITH AHJs
  • What to ask an AHJ?
  • As an AHJ, what questions should be asked?

COORDINATION WITH CIVIL
  • How to coordinate underground water service?

COORDINATION WITH ELECTRICAL
COORDINATION WITH MECHANICAL 
  • What coordination questions for mechanical?
  • ​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
SPRINKLER SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS
​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
FLOW TESTS
QUANTIFYING A 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?

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
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
THE LAYOUT PROCESS
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
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
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  
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. CODE, PROJECT RESEARCH
2. SYSTEM TYPES
3. SIGNALING
4. LAYOUT
5. CONTROL EQUIPMENT
6. INITIATION DEVICES
7. NOTIFICATION
8. SUPERVISION
9. MASS NOTIFICATION
10. INTERFACING
1. CODE, PROJECT RESEARCH
OVERVIEW
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
2. SYSTEM TYPES
3. 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?

4. LAYOUT
EQUIPMENT LAYOUT
MANUAL PULL STATION LAYOUT
SPOT-TYPE SMOKE DETECTION LAYOUT
HEAT DETECTOR LAYOUT
  • Layout of Heat Detectors
  • Exercise: Heat Detectors

DUCT-MOUNTED SMOKE DETECTOR LAYOUT
  • Layout of Duct Smoke Detectors
  • Exercise: Duct-Mounted Smoke Detectors

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR LAYOUT
  • Layout of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
  • Exercise: Carbon Monoxide Detectors

INPUT, RELAY & CONTROL MODULE LAYOUT
  • Layout of Input, Control & Relay Modules
  • Exercise: Input, Control & Relay Modules

COMMON NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES
  • Layout of Audible Appliances (Horns or Speakers)
  • Layout of Visible Appliances (Strobes)
  • Layout of Text Appliances (Text Boards)
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?
  • Total vs. Partial Smoke Detection*
  • Where is Spot-Type Smoke Detection Required?*
  • Spacing for Area Smoke Detector Coverage
  • Spacing for Equipment Protection
  • Spacing for Elevator Recall
  • Spacing for Door Holds
  • Exercise: Spot-Type Smoke Detectors
 
MANUAL PULL STATIONS
  • Components of a pull station?
  • What types of pull stations exist?
  • When are Pull Stations required?
  • Layout of Manual Pull Stations
  • Exercise: Manual 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  
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 is one-way emergency communication?
  • What is two-way emergency communication?

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
APPROACHES & METHODS
  • What is the Pressurization Approach?
  • What is the Exhaust Approach?
  • What is the Airflow Method?
  • What are the different methods of analyzing smoke control systems?
  • Components of a smoke control system?

DESIGN & ACCEPTANCE
  • What are the critical decisions when designing a smoke control system?
  • What are the important things to coordinate for a smoke control system?
  • How is acceptance testing performed for a smoke control system?
2. BASIS FOR DESIGN
CALCULATIONS & DOCUMENTATION
  • ​How is a smoke control system calculated?
  • What software is used with smoke control design?
  • What is tenability for smoke control systems?
  • What is a rational analysis for a smoke control system?
  • When is a specialist needed for smoke control design?

PERFORMANCE-BASED DESIGN
  • What is performance-based design?
  • What is the design process for performance based design?
  • When is performance-based design used?
  • Advantages and disadvantages of an engineered performance-based design?
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