Fire Protection

Fire Protection

Our SMEs have helped clients such as GSA in conducting building evaluation and provide requirements for replacement of fire alarm systems, egress improvements, sprinkler systems and other fire life safety improvements as necessary and associated work. We have lead building evaluation & requirements gathering and building site visit and survey, including fire alarm equipment, pertinent building systems, penthouses, garages, elevator machine rooms, vertical transportation pits, elevator hoistways, child care centers, computer rooms, special lockings, kitchens, assembly spaces, and mechanical equipment spaces. 

Our Fire Protection Engineers examine maintenance control programs, safety logs, testing, inspections, fire life safety and other reporting required by our clients. Provide requirements for replacement of the fire alarm system and supporting equipment, and deliver detailed reports that include: executive summary, photographs and documentation of requirements. Our cost estimates (requirements) document the following systems: 

    • Fire alarm system replacement
    • System components
    • Wiring
    • Conduit
    • Electrical requirements
    • Emergency power operation
    • Fire alarm system interface with all other fire & life safety systems in the building

Our studies evaluate the impact with respect to the P100 standards, and all applicable codes, standards, and laws; ABAAS (architectural barriers act accessibility standard); and Historical Preservation Standards.  In instances where HazMat is observed in the path of new fire alarm system installation, we advise locations of suspected HazMat and include recommendations for a budget allowance. Our documentation of building requirements usually include a review of architectural and engineering disciplines for the facility or facilities with emphasis on the fire alarm & emergency communication systems, elevator interface, elevator smoke detection & fire safety control features, child care center smoke detection systems, kitchen suppression systems, and fire suppression systems (sprinklers, fire pumps, control valves). 

Additional requirements may include systems interface with fire alarm system such as atrium smoke control, stair pressurization systems, HVAC, emergency power supply systems (EPSS), fire department emergency communication system and security systems (specifically special locking or turnstiles). 

Our Fire Protection Engineers conduct adequate research, site investigation and building surveys as necessary to understand occupancy and usage of the building. The building site visit and survey are coordinated and scheduled through the respective facility manager or agency facility manager and the tenants occupying the building. We meticulously prepare documentation establishing the project’s implementation strategy and budget. 

Our schedules include design, design reviews and approvals, material lead times, construction based on phases/zones as required, testing & commissioning and removal of the old system and associated restorations. We follow the following codes and their current versions: 

    • GSA PBS P100 “Facility Standards for the Public Buildings Service”, April 2017 
    • International Building Code (IBC-2015) 
    • NEC U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION SOW Fire-Alarm & Life-Safety Systems Study 2018 Page 5 of 9 
    • NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) National Fire Codes & Standards 
    • OSHA 
    • ASHRAE 
    • ASME 
    • ANSI