Top Reasons To Hire A Fire Protection Engineer For A Building Project
Whether you own a construction company that constructs new buildings or renovates old ones, working with a fire protection engineer is essential. A fire protection engineer is a professional who is highly trained in fire science, and he or she is an invaluable resource during new construction or renovations. Ideally, you should hire a fire protection engineer as early in the planning process as possible in order to prevent delays once the project has started. A fire protection engineer will be able to collaborate with everyone working on the project to help ensure that the building is safe. Some of the top reasons to hire a fire protection engineer include the following.
Compliance with Fire Codes
Most cities and municipalities have strict fire codes in place, and every building must comply with them. A fire protection engineer will understand all of the fire codes in a particular area, and he or she will work with the project's architects and designers to help ensure that the building is constructed or renovated in a way that takes the fire codes into account. Complying with fire codes is extremely important—a building will not pass inspection if it is not in compliance with each and every section of the fire code.
Placement of Fire and Smoke Detectors
In a large building, it is extremely important for the occupants to be immediately alerted to a fire so everyone can be evacuated without any issues. You can count on a fire protection engineer to assist the designers and project managers with the placement of smoke detectors, heat sensors, and fire detectors. A fire protection engineer will take into account the number of rooms or offices on each floor and then determine how many smoke detectors are needed and where they should be placed in order to be most effective.
Recommendations for Sprinkler Systems
Most building are equipped with a sprinkler system that is activated in the presence of smoke or fire. These sprinklers are installed in the ceilings of each floor of a building, and they can be very effective in suppressing a small fire quickly. While a commercial sprinkler system may seem simple in theory, designing an effective sprinkler can be a complicated task. The fire protection engineer working on your project can make recommendations, help design the sprinkler system, and then oversee the sprinkler system installation. Doing this correctly can help ensure that the building is as safe as possible for its occupants.