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An Introduction to Fire Protection Engineering for Buildings

Author:
J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A.
Course #0005455_2842_6282
PDH: 2 hrs
Price: $20.00

Course Description

This seminar will introduce you to fire protection engineering fundamentals related to building materials and design, water supply for fire protection, fire extinguishing systems, fire alarm systems, special occupancies and hazards, and storage of flammable and hazardous materials. You will be introduced to the basics of using occupancy hazard classification for determining sprinkler densities and hose streams, procedures for determining fire flow demand for unsprinklered facilities, and procedures for performance based fire safety design.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the principles of fire protection engineering that affect building materials and design.
• Learn how to provide an adequate water supply for fire protection.
• Become familiar with the different types of fire extinguishing systems.
• Learn about the different types of systems for fire detection, alarm, reporting and evacuation.
• Become familiar with the requirements of special hazards and occupancies.
• Learn about the occupancy hazard classification system.
• Learn about performance based fire safety design, codes and other professional resources.

Intended Audience

Architectural, civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers engaged in the design of buildings and related infrastructure will find this a valuable opportunity to better understand how the principles of fire protection engineering affect their daily practice.

Benefit for Attendee

Participants will receive an introduction to the principles of fire protection engineering and learn how they affect the various technical disciplines that make up the building design team. Participants will be able to participate in the building design process more efficiently and effectively, and will thereby improve their career value to their public agency and private company employers.

Course Introduction

Fire protection engineering impacts every aspect of building design. Civil engineers, structural engineers, architects, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers all need to know how the principles of fire protection engineering will affect their involvement in the design of buildings and related infrastructure. This seminar will provide an introduction to fire protection engineering for the building design team. It will facilitate the building design process and result in safer and more cost-effective buildings and infrastructure for public agencies and private companies.

Course Summary

1. You will be introduced to fire protection basics related to building materials and design, including fire areas, height limitations, interior fire spread, egress, finishes, insulation, roof coverings, air handling, plastic pipe and conduit, and fire retardant wood products.

2. You will be introduced to the basics of water supply for fire protection including sprinklered facilities demand, demand for unsprinklered facilities, pressure requirements, quantities, on-site storage, fire pumps, and distribution systems.

3. You will be introduced to the basic types of fire extinguishing systems including automatic sprinklers, foam (AFFF), standpipes, dry chemicals, carbon dioxide, Halon 1301 and portable extinguishers.

4. You will be introduced to the basic types of fire detection, alarm and reporting systems.

5. You will be introduced to some fire protection fundamentals for buildings with special occupancies such as medical facilities, detention facilities, electronic and telecommunication facilities; and special hazards such as petroleum fuel storage, waterfront facilities, and aircraft maintenance facilities.

6. You will receive an overview of the occupancy hazard classification system (light, ordinary group 1, ordinary group 2, special).

Course Outline

I. The five fundamental elements of fire protection engineering

A. Building materials and design
B. Water supply for fire protection
C. Fire extinguishing systems
D. Fire alarm systems
E. Special occupancies and hazards

II. Building materials and design

A. Basic criteria
B. Fire areas
C. Height limitations
D. Interior fire spread
E. Egress
F. Interior finishes
G. Insulation
H. Roof coverings
I. Roof and fire department access
J. Air handling
K. Plastic pipe and conduit
L. Fire retardant wood products

III. Water supply

A. Demand for sprinklered facilities
B. Demand for unsprinklered facilities
C. Pressure requirements
D. Required quantities and on-site storage
E. Fire pumps
F. Distribution systems

IV. Fire extinguishing systems

A. Automatic sprinkler systems
B. Foam (AFFF) systems
C. Standpipes
D. Dry chemical systems
E. Carbon dioxide systems
F. Halon 1301 systems
G. Portable extinguishers

V. Fire alarm systems

A. Detection systems
B. Reporting systems
C. Evacuation systems

VI. Special occupancies and hazards

A. In general
B. Housing
C. Food preparation
D. Medical facilities
E. Libraries
F. Child care facilities
G. Electronics and telecommunications facilities
H. Warehouses
I. Waterfront facilities
J. Petroleum fuel storage
K. Aircraft maintenance facilities
L. Others

VII. Occupancy hazard classification system

A. Light
B. Ordinary hazard 1
C. Ordinary hazard 2
D. Special occupancies

VIII. Fire flow demand for unsprinklered facilities

IX. Performance based fire safety design

X. Codes and other professional resources