Celebrating Summit Milestones
25 years ago on January 7, 1999, Summit Fire Protection was established. The company was born based on a dream, a whole lot of passion, and the willingness to take a chance and risk it all. Quint Rubald, our President and Chief Operating Officer of SFP Holding, had a vision. It didn’t take long before […]
Fire & Egress Modeling: 4 Benefits You Need to Know
Many modern building designs are complex, making it challenging to determine if the occupants will be safe in the event of a fire. This is where fire and egress modeling comes into play. In this blog, we examine the advantages of using these tools. What Is Fire & Egress Modeling? Fire and egress modeling are valuable […]
NFPA 409: Understanding Key Changes to Aircraft Hangar Fire Protection
NFPA 409 is a standard to determine construction and fire protection requirements for aircraft hangars. Traditionally, larger aircraft hangars were required to use foam-based suppression systems to mitigate potential fuel fires. However, this approach ended up causing more harm than good. The industry is shifting its strategy, with NFPA 409 playing a significant role. In […]
What Is CONTAM Modeling? A Beginner’s Guide to Better Smoke Control Systems
As fire safety awareness grows, the value of CONTAM modeling to predict smoke movement during emergencies and reduce associated risks becomes even more evident. It is a vital tool for assessing the performance of pressurization smoke control systems in modern high-rise buildings. In this guide, we’ll explain the fundamentals of the CONTAM model, its importance in contemporary […]
What Is Fire & Egress Modeling? [QUICK GUIDE]
Numerous factors play into a building’s design, and fire safety is among the most important. Luckily, fire and egress modeling make predicting fire and occupant behavior possible, leading to increased fire safety. But what are these applications, and how do they work? What Is Fire Modeling? Fire modeling is a computational technique used to simulate and […]
NSPE-KY Committee Selects Austin Grant for the 2023-24 Leadership PE Class
The NSPE-KY Committee appoints the latest class of engineers for its leadership development program. Louisville, KY — The Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-KY) has chosen Austin Grant, P.E., of Performance Based Fire to join its 2023-24 Leadership PE class. The eight-month leadership development program helps to develop the professional and life skills of entry- to upper-level engineers. This […]
Top 6 Warehouse Fire Protection Features to Consider During Design and Construction
When designing a new warehouse, it’s essential to plan for fire protection features, as this helps protect people and property in the event of a fire. Here are six features to consider for your warehouse design. Unfortunately, warehouse fires are all too common. In the United States, it’s estimated that fire departments respond to an […]
Warehouse Fire Safety: 3 Code Limitations that Hurt Density & Selectivity
Modern warehouses strive to maximize density and selectivity. But when prescriptive code limitations get in the way, it’s time to look for a better approach: performance-based fire safety design. What Are Warehouse Density & Selectivity? Density and selectivity are two of the most important factors to consider when designing a warehouse. Density refers to the amount […]
Performance-Based Fire Safety Design: Busting 5 Myths
Performance-based fire safety design has become an increasingly popular approach for buildings. However, there are still some misconceptions that can prevent people from taking advantage of its benefits. That’s why we explore five common myths and debunk them. Building codes have a long history of protecting people and property from fires. However, as technology and construction […]
Who Do Fire Protection Engineers Work With? 6 Teams They Support
Fire protection engineers are the unsung heroes who help keep buildings and occupants safe from smoke and fire. But who do they work with and how do they help? Fire protection engineers use their expertise to design fire safety systems and recommend fire safety measures to ensure buildings are up to code and meet safety […]