To make fire and life safety a top priority, you must have a unique fire suppression system in place.

In a mixed-use building atmosphere, unique approaches to fire and life safety are necessary.

This includes alternate design of the Wet-pipe automatic, pre-action sprinkler and gaseous suppression systems. Fire protection in-line with intent of code without meeting prescriptive guidelines is an often-unique approach.

As a facility manager, a recent project may make your building required to omit sprinkler protection above the ceiling height to make the building safe for its geometry.

You may need pre-action sprinkler systems to be employed throughout an entire building to minimize accidental water damage. The approach to such fire suppression should combine code requirements, design intent, and owner project needs so a suitable level of fire and safety protection can be met for all stakeholders.

Here are scenarios where alternate designs would be necessary for the best fire and life safety practices:

For a building designed as a 50-story, 661 ft high-rise with parking, retail and residential housing, the NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipes and Hose Systems would require an intermediate pump mid-level for traditional fire standpipe systems.

Another alternate standpipe design that may be necessary is using pressures near 500 psi. This adaptation can provide more leasable space and overall project cost reduction.

As for unique egress, mass notification or emergency communication systems for mixed-use buildings, designs should be made with audibility throughout its occupied spaces. Why? Because these systems need to be integrated with the fire alarm and evacuation strategy.

It’s also important to consider water flow volumes and pressures when designing a fire and life safety system in a mixed-use building. This factor is important because it will help you decide whether an auxiliary water supply will be required by code. You will learn whether:

Water is allowed in special use areas such as a data center.

Whether gas suppression is best.

Or whether a fire pump is needed as well.

As a responsible facility manager, you need to consider the facility operation as a whole and how to incorporate special provisions for specific uses. It could be as little of an alternation as needing a hotel guest room to sound an alarm in an adjacent business area located within the mixed building.

In mixed-use buildings, facility managers need to ensure that fire and life safety systems operate in a way that responds with emergency personnel operations. Fireline is here to make sure your mixed-use building meets those code requirements.

Fireline can design, furnish and install all types of fire sprinkler systems, fire alarms, emergency exit lights and fire safety equipment. Learn about our fire protection systems by clicking here.

We are a Maryland corporation founded in 1947 by John S. Waters. Fireline remains a pioneer in the fledgling fire equipment distribution business and we have grown to encompass all facets of fire protection. We can design, install, inspect, or service any type of fire protection system. From fire alarm to fire extinguisher, we do it all.

If you have any questions about Sprinklers, extinguishers, fire equipment, or other Fireline products and services, contact Fireline by calling 410.247.1422 or click here today!

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Source: http://www.csemag.com/single-article/how-to-engineer-systems-in-mixed-use-buildings-fire-and-life-safety/3af513c235f27170d7bd913625f6f6f1.html