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…
Fire Sprinkler Design and Building Code: What You Need to Know
The most effective fire prevention technique is the one that is the most tailor-made for the facility. A system that works for a 4,500 sq. ft. software company, for example, would look very different from the one designed for…
May is Building Safety Month!
May is Building Safety Month! Founded by the International Code Council in 1980, Building Safety Month is a public awareness campaign that reinforces the need for adoption of modern, model building codes, a strong and efficient…
2012 Life Safety Code – What can you Expect to See in Georgia?
In our blog last week, Georgia State Fire Marshal, Dwayne Garriss, shared the history of the state fire code. This week, Dwayne will share with us why the state made the decision to move to the 2012 Life Safety Code and a few…
In the Spotlight: Georgia State Fire Marshal Dwayne Garriss
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Georgia State Fire Marshal, Dwayne Garriss, to learn more about him and what’s been going on in the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Dwayne earned his Bachelors…
One Year Later: The West, Texas Tragedy
On April 17, 2013, the town of West, Texas was in the midst of a devastating tragedy, when a fire and massive explosion demolished West Fertilizer Company, causing the deaths of 15 people and injuring approximately 200 others.…
How Can Fire Protection Engineers Help Avoid Costly Mistakes?
If you have ever been involved with the design and construction of new facilities or renovating existing buildings, you are well aware that the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. Or, simply said, things don’t always…
Tips for Accessing the NFPA Fire Code Online Even with an Apple Operating System (OS)
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has provided free, read-only access to their fire codes and standards to the public for the past 10 years. The codes are easy to access – and here’s how you can do it: Step 1…
Technological Advances Continue to Help Spread NFPA Mission
It has been NFPA’s mission since 1896 to save lives and protect property. At the recent NFPA conference in Chicago, President Jim Shannon addressed the General Assembly regarding how technological advances help the organization…
Fire Hazards and Fire Code Pitfalls When Increasing Your Occupancy Load
As an architect, you want to design a building that meets the owner’s needs and allows you to be creative at the same time. The balancing act can be difficult when you are wedged between the extensive fire code requirements for…
Do Your Building Renovation Projects Require Creative Fire Code Solutions?
A recent project triggered a number of problem areas and required we employ our creativity and deep knowledge of fire protection to succeed. The client wanted to renovate an existing facility that had been built in the early…
Is Egress Analysis Impacted during Your Incremental Build Projects?
Travel distance and means of egress have become increasingly popular concerns. As owners expand buildings, they often increase the distance to the nearest exit to the point of violating code requirements. We recently consulted…
Fire Code Requirements for Rack Storage and Atriums
Did the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over your project recently reject your design due to improper smoke control in your building? Do you need to calculate proper exhaust and convince the AHJ your structure will meet or…
Commercial Fire Protection Engineering with PyroSim
When planning a unique structure, building designers may find their plans depart from certain building and fire code regulations. A small complication or oversight in code compliance can throw everything off schedule and…
Unforeseen Challenges In Meeting Fire Codes
This is the conclusion of our three-part series on How Qualified Fire Code Consultants Can Help You Avoid Fire Code Problems. Several weeks after we submitted our report, thinking we were moving forward, our code consultants…