HGI’s “Think Upstream”: What is MAQ and What Does it Mean to Me?
Figure 1. NFPA Hazardous Materials Placard: NFPA 704 provides a simple, readily recognizable, and easily understood system of markings that provides a general idea of the hazards of a material and the severity of these hazards…
New Hire Spotlight: Ali Roth – Industrial Process Safety Consultant
This month, Harrington Group, Inc. welcomed Ali Roth to our team! Ali is joining us from her home in Dexter, Michigan as our newest Industrial Process Safety Consultant. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: What is Missing from Your New Fire Water Storage Tank?
A fire water storage tank is a critical component of any facility's fire protection system. It provides water in the event of a fire emergency, making it an essential safeguard for life and property. However, ensuring that it…
Harrington Group, Inc.’s, Ying Zou, Senior Fire Protection Engineer Contributes to Plumbing Magazine!
Congratulations to our very own Senior Fire Protection Engineer, Ying Zou, PE, LEED AP BD+C, for her most recent article in the September 2023 issue of Plumbing Engineer Magazine, "Fire Protection Design Issues – Part 2". In…
HGI’s “Think Upstream”: Diesel Fuel Tanks – How Big and How High?
Traditionally NFPA 20 required that diesel fuel tanks be sized for 1 gallon per engine horsepower plus 5% for sump and 5% for expansion. This requirement is intended to allow for 12 hours of total run time with 8 hours of run…
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…