Archive for August 2021
Fire Sprinkler System: Seismic Calculations & Analysis
How do seismic calculations and analysis factor into a fire sprinkler system design? Fire sprinklers can be life saving installations in case there is a fire outbreak. Conventionally, technicians tend to design the fire sprinkler system in correspondence to the building’s design. However, there are many other things that they have to consider when installing the piping system. Each facility carries its personal fire hazards. Thus, the fire sprinkler system design includes variables including fire risks, building material, size, scale, and environmental threats such as earthquakes.
Fire Sprinkler System Seismic Design
Some buildings or facilities are in locations that possess earthquake threats. The construction of such places requires a seismic design for most of their infrastructure. It must ensure to withstand the seismic tremors of an earthquake, preventing the building from collapsing in case of an earthquake.
In areas vulnerable to earthquakes, constructors also have to make sure that non structural elements are also earthquake proof. These elements include all the mechanical workings in a building, including plumbing systems, electrical wiring, and, most importantly, fire sprinkler systems.
Importance of Seismic Design of Fire Sprinklers
During an earthquake, the likelihood of a fire outbreak increases. Thus, if a fire sprinkler system fails to work in that instance, this could potentially lead to many deaths. The serious life threatening risk of earthquake-induced fires makes seismic resistance of a fire prevention system crucial. Looking back at the history of natural disasters, it is quite evident that earthquakes pose a great fire threat.
Fire outbreaks do not only put hundreds of lives at risk but also cause financial damage to property owners. Even the slightest of tremors will cause fire sprinkler systems to leak if their design is not compatible and durable to withstand earthquakes. Ultimately, not having a seismic-proof fire sprinkler system will cost you more in damage expenses and rebuilding costs than the initial installation costs. The costly labor and equipment requirements to rebuild a fire sprinkler system may also convince an owner to abandon the facility altogether.
Fires become a likely occurrence during and after an earthquake because of many reasons. The most common one involves the damage to wirings and gas pipes. Even the smallest of electrical sparks can burst into a flame under a gas leak. Other times the earthquake tremors cause fuel spills that increase the probability of fires. In these circumstances, functioning fire sprinklers prove to be pivotal.
Seismic Fire Sprinkler Design
Fire sprinkler systems built to withstand earthquakes require a different design and planning in terms of installation. Technicians implement certain techniques to the water pipes so that they have flexibility and clearance. This allows them to stay intact and function during earthquake tremors.
The foundation of the building, along with beams and columns, tends to shake in different dimensions and speeds. This differential movement phenomenon can damage a conventional fire sprinkler pipe, causing breakage and leakage. Since the fire sprinkler systems run across the ceilings and sidewalls of the building, any horizontal and vertical displacement results in the slamming of walls against the pipes.
To prevent this from happening, technicians install flexible pipe couplings to the sprinkler pipes. This non structural element can bend in correspondence with the structure walls. Hence, you can reduce significant damage in the occurrence of an earthquake by installing these pipes. Moreover, the couplings help mitigate the pressure on the pipes due to differential movement.
The addition of flexible couplings is just one of the seismic design measures, along with others. Another method of pipe protection takes shape in the form of seismic bracing. This includes the installation of cable sway braces.
Cable Sway Braces
You can also refer to these Sway braces as transverse sway braces. The design specifications for these sway cables require technical analysis of a facility’s design. Hence, technicians need to be wary of the seismic load calculation for the proper installation of the sway cables.
The seismic wave intensity and directional pathways vary greatly according to the location of the facility. They need to consider whether the seismic waves will take the form of “S” waves or “p” waves. This helps them with the placement of the sway cables. To accomplish a successful installation, you will have to consult a qualified engineer who understands the complexity of the seismic load.
Ultimately, sway cables help reduce the stress on the fire sprinkler system during a seismic episode. To ensure that they perform this function, the technician calculates the seismic measure of force using mathematical formulas. Calculation and analysis for seismic damage prevention is a technical burden for only the best fire sprinkler services.
Fire Sprinkler system Seismic Design: Conclusion
Fire sprinkler systems must include seismic design & calculations to protect against natural disasters such as earthquakes. Only certified professionals with years of fire protection system design experience can create these detailed plans that include these calculations.
With over 20 years in the fire protection system business, F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc. designs efficient and lasting fire sprinkler systems. Along with estimating services, F2M’s owner is one of the most experienced technicians in the industry.
For a free professional consultation online or in person, contact us at (718) 928-3009, or visit our website for more information.
Does My Fire Sprinkler System Designer Need to be NICET Certified?
What is NICET and what does it mean to be NICET Certified? The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) is an essential and highly valued institute that provides certification for technical industries. These include engineering industries, such as construction, geotechnical, transportation, and others. Companies have to complete certain certification programs to achieve a NICET certification. These programs define the entire structure of an industry.
NICET for Water-Based Systems
A NICET accredited system for fire prevention holds a much higher value in the eyes of the state. For sprinkler designers, a NICET certificate is the gold standard of all certificates in the world. Achieving this certification is a step up for any water based fire prevention company. As time progresses, it is becoming a common requirement in the marketplace. Most of the job specifications include fire prevention services that hold NICET certification.
Moreover, even government contractors ask for a NICET certification before they invest in water based installation services. Hence, achieving one makes a fire sprinkler designer eligible for providing services to the federal government.
Why is the Certification so Valuable?
Industry experts have carefully designed the certification process of NICET so that it demonstrates excellent proficiency in engineering services. It sets the framework for fire prevention services to follow. Furthermore, it has certification levels for both entry level duties to management procedures. This makes it entirely valuable to clients, employers, the federal government, and service providers.
More importantly, it ensures that a fire sprinkler installation meets the national level standard. As a result, it improves the quality of the fire prevention services across the USA, and makes them eligible for government jobs. The community of the NICET experts recognizes all certificate holders as one of the best in the nation. This community consists of professional engineers that have legitimate experience in the industry.
NICET ensures that all technical and engineering companies have experienced workers and provide high quality services. Apart from that, it also manages to maintain the quality of the workforce and makes sure that facilities hire competent labor. This maximizes safety and protection for the public.
NICET is Worth the Effort
To achieve a NICET certificate, you have to pass a challenging test. This test takes long hours of preparation and planning. However, passing this test will provide you with incredible benefits. Some training programs involve the knowledge of basic principles and attendance, while other programs focus on duty information.
Benefits of Becoming NICET Certified
NICET’s certification covers various areas regarding the job and evaluates a technician’s work experience at the career level. These aspects of the certification process help signify the career of a technical professional. However, an individual is open to a lot more benefits than this, such as the following.
Advancement in Career
NICET certification helps determine a worker’s capabilities as one that can meet the highest standards. Moreover, it helps make their service recognizable by a committee of experts. By doing so, many opportunities open up for a person, helping them advance in their career. It reassures the investor’s trust in you as a contractor.
Furthermore, it also helps increase a water based technician’s worth. By eliminating unaccredited services from the job market, it helps employers make the right decision when hiring workers. Thus, workers have to make extra efforts to prove their quality of work and get better positions.
Understanding of the Codes
When going through the certification process, professionals become aware of the codes and standards of fire safety. This is a benefit in itself since it increases a worker’s ability to plan and execute a thorough and functional water sprinkler system.
Risk Management
NICET certification provides a technician with an in-depth understanding of the security codes and requirements. This comprehensive understanding allows them to make better decisions and plan a sprinkler system that provides one hundred percent, risk free performance.
Any violation of the codes can cause serious problems in case of a fire. Therefore, it is better to have a certified professional who understands the implications of the codes and the risks of avoiding them.
Boasts the Industry as a Whole
When all individuals become NICET certified, it will inevitably have a positive impact on the US fire prevention industry. The increase in quality and standard of the industry will ultimately attract other countries as well. It will put the industry on the global stage and produce more jobs for professional technicians.
Does My Fire Sprinkler System Designer Need to be NICET Certified? Conclusion
F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc. is the top NICET certified company in New York offering fire sprinkler design services. We have 20 years of experience in estimating & designing, fire protection systems that meet the highest standards nationwide.
Visit our website and call us at (718) 928-3009 for a free consultation and quote for your fire sprinkler system design project.