A chemical manufacturer had acquired an existing manufacturing plant and was retrofitting an existing process room for their needs. The local fire marshal expressed concerns regarding the intended sprinkler protection criteria for the process room. First, he questioned whether the proposed sprinkler protection would be sufficient for the hazard, per NFPA codes and standards; and second, he questioned whether the plant’s existing water supply infrastructure was adequate to support the intended sprinkler criteria.

Harrington Group directed the investigation of the process, identification of the hazards, and the determination of appropriate protection requirements for the process building, which validated to the fire marshal’s satisfaction that the intended sprinkler protection exceeded the minimum requirements to meet the intent of the code. Harrington Group also developed and directed testing protocols and analyses for the water supply infrastructure—which included testing of the fire pump, flow testing of the private yard hydrants and a hydraulic grade analysis—in order to determine the capability and condition of the plant’s fire water supply. This work demonstrated to the fire marshal’s satisfaction that the existing infrastructure was also adequate. In the end, the work performed eliminated a potential costly delay to the start-up of the new process, and the Client was able to start production on schedule.

Value Delivered

Harrington Group eliminated a potential costly delay to the start-up of the new process, and the Client was able to start production on schedule.

By Jeff Harrington, CEO and Founder of Harrington Group, Inc.