For jurisdictions facing budget cuts in their fire prevention departments, consider a document framed in 1995 by the US Fire Administration and conceived by Eric Schmidt, then FPE with Prince George's County Maryland. The 80 page document provides a method whereby residential sprinkler installation can be accomplished in a manner similar to how a journeyman electrician wires in electrical fixtures on a 20 Amp circuit... without plan submittal; simply an inspection.
There are hydraulic calcs used to prove the system. But the method is so simplified that inspectors need not use Hazen-Williams. The method can eliminate sprinkler plan submittal for a deferred approval at inspection. A target-zone concept is used for sprinkler placement that allows for flexibility of field changes, while retaining assurance that supply still meets hydraulic demand. Jurisdictions interested in this significant time saving tool may find it through google at US Fire Administation's website using keywords: express residential sprinkler design guide US Fire Administration the downside is> designers make less money as there is no plan submittal the process is so easy even a plumber could attempt it ;-) the upside is> 1. fire departments use less time to approve residential sprinkler systems 2. fire department inspectors need only minimal amount of training This method might have been buried for 15 years, because it made the process -- too simple. It also might have been buried and forgotten for 15 years for reasons beyond my comprehension. I just mention it here in an attempt to get more sprinklers installed better and faster. scot deal excelsior fire _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: supp...@firesprinkler.org To Unsubscribe, send an email to:sprinklerforum-requ...@firesprinkler.org (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
