INSTRUCTORS: 
Thomas M. Korman, P.E., P.L.S., M.ASCE
Lonny Simonian, P.E., P.M.P.

Purpose and Background

This seminar provides participants with the essential knowledge necessary to analyze, design, and inspect the most common fire protection and detection systems installed today. Course topics include: water supply analysis, hydraulic analysis for fire protection piping, selecting and specifying detection systems, and identifying inspection, testing, and maintenance protocol and procedures.

Seminar Benefits/Objectives

The learning objectives are organized into the following three categories:

• Analysis and Design of Fire Protection Systems
• The student will be able to analyze water supplies for fire protection applications.
• The student will develop an understanding of the installation requirements for water based fire suppression systems.
• The student will be able to identify appropriate design criteria for automatic sprinkler systems based on nationally recognized standards.
• The student will be able to perform hydraulic calculations in accordance with nationally recognized standards.
• The student will be able to identify and apply appropriate design standards and performance criteria for water spray, foam and water mist fire suppression systems.

Analysis and Design and Fire Detection Systems

• The student will develop an understanding of the features and operational characteristics of different types of fire alarm and communication systems.
• The student will develop an understanding of the different types of fire signatures released during a fire and the different types of devices used to detect these firesignatures.
• The student will develop an understanding of the performance objectives and
  requirements for mass communication systems.
• The student will be able to calculate the primary and secondary power requirements for
  fire alarm systems and components.

• The student will develop an understanding of the inspection, testing and maintenance
  requirements for the different components of water-based fire suppression systems.
• The student will develop an understanding of the commissioning and inspection, testing and maintenance requirements for the different components of fire alarm and communication systems.

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to analyze and comprehend the integration and interrelatedness of cost, time, quality and resources for managing the design process
• Increase your ability to recognize and identify the documentation and record keeping requirements during design and the associated legal implications
• Be familiar with value engineering and its application throughout the design process.
• Limit the number of errors and omissions and protect professional liability, insurance costs, and premiums
• Understand how to apply engineering standards and consider realistic issues including engineering economics, constructability, environmental requirements, sustainability, and safety
• Be able to analyze and comprehend quality control/assurance issues with regard to the design process
• Understand how to recognize and avoid costly construction changes through quality control/assurance during the design phase of a project

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Studies, class exercises, and post course examination will be used to assess students achievement of learning outcomes. 

Who Should Attend

This seminar is designed for design engineers, consulting engineers, project engineers, construction engineers, engineering project managers, and inspectors who desire to broaden their knowledge of fire protection and detection systems.

Seminar Outline

TIME:  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Module 1: Water Supply Analysis

• Hydraulic Properties of Water; the Bernoulli Theorem; Flow of Water Through Orifices; Coefficients of Flow; Flow Measurement; Flow of Water in Pipes; Water Hammer; Elastic Wave Theory; Fire Pumps and Operating Characteristics
• Storage Tanks (Gravity and Suction); Pressure Tanks; Types of Supplies; Influence of Various Factors on Water Supply Need; Water Supply Requirements for Sprinkler Systems; Water Supply Requirements for Hose Stream Protection; Water Flow Tests

Module 2: Design Criteria for Automatic Sprinkler Systems

• Occupancy classifications; Commodity Classifications; Storage Arrangements; Storage Height and Clearance requirements; Special Commodities; Residential Sprinkler Systems
• Operating Principles of Automatic Sprinklers; Temperature Ratings of Automatic
  Sprinklers; Standard Spray Sprinklers; Sprinkler position, placement and spacing requirements; Water Discharge; Sprinklers for Special Service Conditions; Hangers; Hanger Installation; Earthquake Bracing; Joint Restraint of Underground Piping; Valve requirements and arrangements

Module 3: Sprinkler System Plans and Calculations

• Hydraulic calculation procedures; flow through sprinklers; friction loss in pipe; Hazen-Williams formula; flow balancing; elevation losses; equivalent lengths for fittings; hose stream demand; water demand; hydraulic graphs
• Uses for Water Spray Protection; Spray System Description and Applications; Spray System Nozzles and Piping; Applications of Water Mist Systems; Water Mist System Features; General Principles of Water Mist Systems; Design of Water Mist Systems; Methods of Generating Water Mist; Design Calculations for Water Mist Systems

Module 4: Fire Signatures and Detection Devices

• Heat Detectors; Smoke Detectors; Gas-Sensing Fire Detectors; Multi-sensor and Multicriteria Detectors; Radiant Energy-Sensing Fire Detectors; Video-Based Flame Detection; Selection of Detectors; Detector Installation; Detector Maintenance and Testing
• Requirements for the location, spacing and placement of fire detection devices; rationale for these requirements; test methods used to determine these requirements.
• Review of Fire Alarm System Building Cable Description, Designation, Schedule, and Color Coding; Fire Alarm Device Elevations, Fire Rated Location Penetrations.

Module 5: Analysis of Fire Detector Response

• Methods to estimate the activation times of fire detection devices, including heat detectors, sprinklers, smoke detectors and flame detectors in response to different fire scenarios; derivation and application of the DETACT model for detector activation; design of fire detection systems to meet specified performance objectives.

Module 6: Power Requirements for Fire Alarm and Communication Systems

• Identification of the types, features and operating characteristics of different fire alarm systems recognized by nationally recognized standards; requirements for the operation of different fire alarm systems and for the disposition of alarm, supervisory and trouble
  signals.
• Requirements for primary and secondary power supplies; power demand for fire alarm initiating devices and circuits and for alarm notification appliances and circuits; calculation methods for second power supply requirements.

Module 7: Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

• System Maintenance Basics; Types of Sprinkler System Inspections; Inspection Requirements; General
• Maintenance of Sprinklers and Sprinkler Piping; Care and Maintenance of Specific Components; Obstructions in Piping; Other Sources of Obstruction; Extent of Cleaning Required; Cleaning Methods; Sprinkler Leakage
• Reliability; Electronic Components; Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Requirements for Signaling Systems and Components; Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Scheduling for Systems and Components; Household Fire-Warning Equipment; Criticality of Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance on the Effectiveness of the System