HGI’s “Think Upstream”: What is ERCES and what does it mean for my new or existing building?
An Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (“ERCES”) utilizes a Bi-Directional Amplifier (“BDA”) and a Distributed Antenna System (“DAS”) within a building to enhance public safety radio signals and provide…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Why bother with visible notification appliance Performance Based Design?
Spacing guidelines for visible notification appliances in the 2022 ed. of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), are limited to a device (lens) elevation of 30 ft above finished floor. There are many cases…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: The Difference Between Water Flow Tests & Design Basis Water Supply in Fire Protection Engineering
What is the difference between a water flow test & design basis water supply & why do we require a safety margin after adjusting a water flow test? A water flow test when performed in accordance with NFPA 291…
New Hire Spotlight: Lori Carella – Controller
Harrington Group, Inc. is excited to welcome Lori Carella, CPA, to our team! Lori may be new to the world of fire protection engineering, but she's no stranger to numbers. As our Controller at HGI, she brings a wealth of…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Surge Suppression for Fire Alarm Circuits
Why do we provide surge suppression on fire alarm circuits? The simple answer is to protect the fire alarm system from power surges caused by nearby lightning or a power surge originating from within the protected premises.…
New Hire Spotlight: John Jeng – Senior Property Loss Control Consultant
Harrington Group, Inc. is excited to welcome John Jeng, Senior Property Loss Control Consultant, to our team! Before joining HGI, John worked for a global fire protection engineering company, gaining valuable expertise in his…
Did You Know Next Week is Home Fire Sprinkler Week?
The National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition have come together to champion Home Fire Sprinkler Week on May 14-20, 2023. This event is dedicated to promoting the importance of home…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Communicate Early and Often to Help Avoid Mistakes
Fire protection engineering design/contract documents, including clear drawing notes and specifications, can go a long way toward ensuring the applicable code requirements are met. One example is the Underground Material and…
Evacuation of Multi-Story Buildings
Phased evacuation was first presented as a possible egress approach in 1935 by the National Bureau of Standards, which later became the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”). The same report also gave…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Spare Sprinklers
Who thinks about spare sprinklers until they are needed? The spare sprinkler cabinet is one of the last features of a fire sprinkler system to be installed and stocked. Often overlooked, the spare sprinklers become a…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Venting Air from Fire Sprinkler Systems; Manual or Automatic?
Don’t let an ad campaign fool you. An automatic air vent installed in accordance with NFPA 13 requirements on a gridded system will only remove air from the cross mains, and the highest branch line on which it is…
New Hire Spotlight: Michelle Combs – Project Coordinator
After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Master of Education in Classroom Teaching, Michelle gained many new relationships and skills over the years. With a background in education and patient services,…
Fire by the Numbers: National Fire Protection Association’s 2021 Fire Loss Report
The most recent fire loss report summarizes the National Fire Protection Association’s (“NFPA”) 2021 fire experience survey. The year 2021 was difficult for everyone, and firefighters were no exception. Departments all over…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Flanges and Flanged Fittings
Flanges and flanged fittings are rated by pressure class. The 125# pressure class flanged fittings carry a 200 psi pressure rating, while the 250# pressure class fittings carry a 500 psi pressure rating. When a fire…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Baffles, Barriers, Water Shields & “Heat Collectors”
Baffles, Barriers, Water Shields & "Heat Collectors". These terms are tossed around on shop drawings & in the field interchangeably. They are different even if the result is similar. Baffle: Used between…