When Is Elevator Pressurization Required?
Elevator pressurization prevents smoke from flowing into elevator shafts and threatening occupants on other floors. Elevator pressurization systems are often provided in highrise buildings that also have pressurized stairs, but that is only sometimes the case. In this blog, we look at when and why elevator pressurization is needed for a building. Anyone who has […]
What Do Fire Protection Engineers Do? 8 Essential Services
Fire protection engineering aims to identify fire risks and ultimately protect people and property. In this blog, we explore eight services that fire protection engineers provide. Fire protection engineering is defined as “the application of science and engineering principles to protect people, property, and their environments from the harmful and destructive effects of fire and smoke.” To accomplish […]
11 Common Building Code Violations (And How to Solve Them)
Building code violations can be costly and dangerous. But how do you know if there’s an issue? In this blog, we look at eleven common building code infractions and how to fix them. Building codes are in place to keep occupants safe, especially in the event of a fire. In the United States, building codes […]
David Stacy Inducted Into Maryland Engineering’s Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society
ECDA Society launches an exclusive network of engineers leading the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and change agents College Park, Md. — David Stacy is a 2022 inductee of the A. James Clark School of Engineering’s Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society at the University of Maryland (UMD). To acknowledge and honor the accomplishments of Maryland Engineering alums 40 years […]
Atrium Smoke Control: 4 Crucial Things Every Building Owner Must Know
Atrium smoke control plays a crucial role in keeping building occupants safe. But how does it work? In this blog, we look at the basics of atrium smoke control, including how to design and maintain an effective system. You have many responsibilities when you own or manage a building. From the roof to the basement […]
5 Misunderstandings About Floor-to-Floor Smoke Control Systems in Florida High-Rises
Floor-to-floor systems were a commonly specified method for smoke control in high-rises, especially in Florida. Unfortunately, this outdated approach has been wrongfully applied to the modern era as it is still specified in contemporary buildings occasionally. This has led to several misunderstandings about its use and application amongst architects, engineers, code officials and building owners/operators. […]
The History of Performance-Based Design in Fire Protection & Egress Modeling
Performance-based design has a storied past and a bright future. In this blog, we look at the history of performance-based design and its advantages for fire protection and life safety. Performance-based design uses engineering tools to develop fire protection solutions. Since every building is unique, fire protection engineers must consider the ultimate safety goals for each […]
The 3 Most Overlooked Items in an Atrium Smoke Control System
An atrium smoke control system controls the flow of smoke and air in an atrium to maintain tenability. But not all systems are designed and implemented the same way. In this blog, we look at three of the most overlooked items in an atrium smoke control system. Summit Fire Consulting is a fire protection engineering […]
What Is Performance-Based Design?
Performance-based design can mean different things to different people. In this blog, we look at what performance-based design is and its approach. You might have heard this phrase, or more appropriately “design approach” tossed around at some point during a conference call or possibly your last meeting with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Maybe you […]
Engineers Can Improve Fire Alarm Design Documents With These 7 Tips
An issue all too common in the Fire Alarm industry is that contractors often are asked to bid on installation of Fire Alarm systems based on low quality Fire Alarm construction/design documents. Ultimately, higher quality construction/design documents will reduce the cost of the Fire Alarm system for the building owner by allowing contractors to provide bids that […]