"I insist on having Summit Fire Consulting on our development team. Their critical review in predevelopment always improves our design and execution. Their credibility with local code officials assures us that we are providing excellent life safety design at the best possible price."
Steve Minn, Principal
Lupe Development Partners
Smoke Management Design Guidance and Inspections
Description
- Design Report for smoke management system requirements for atria, high-rise buildings, covered malls, underground buildings, storage warehouses, etc.
- Determine performance criteria for smoke management system: exhaust (cfm), make-up air (ft/min), minimum pressure differential (in. H2O), maximum door-pull measurement (lb), response time (seconds), etc.
- Formulation of or review of sequencing matrices for proper sequence of operations.
- Specify special equipment requirements for smoke management components to comply with code: temperature ratings for fan motors, number of fan belts, conduit requirements, standby power, manual controls at Smoke Control Panel (SCP), status monitoring by fire alarm system, etc.
- Special Inspection or Testing Agent services during construction, prior to Certificate of Occupancy.
- Act as a liaison for the Owner/design team with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to present and acquire approval of the smoke management design concepts.
- Act as a liaison for the Owner/design team with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to present and acquire approval of the smoke management inspections and testing procedures.
- Review mechanical and electrical shop drawings to verify compliance with code, design, and Owner requirements. Document review in writing.
- Design/approval by Professional Engineer (PE) in fire protection engineering.
- Coordination between various trades involved in both design (i.e. Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Architects, etc.) and installation (i.e. Mechanical Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Fire Alarm Contractor, Fire Sprinkler Contractor, General Contractor, etc.) of the smoke management systems
Level of Involvement
Can vary, depending on specific project and client needs. Summit Fire Consulting can be involved during Schematic Design and Design Development only, providing cursory design guidance; or, we can be involved during the entire project: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration.
Sample Projects
Summit Fire Consulting worked on the Science Teaching & Student Services Center at the University of Minnesota. We were originally hired by HGA Architecture to provide design guidance for the atrium smoke control system. Through that process, we developed, presented, and documented the smoke control design concepts to the University Building Code Division for approval. Summit Fire Consulting was subsequently hired by Hines to provide Special Inspection services for the atrium smoke control system. Through the Special Inspection process, we coordinated the efforts of multiple subcontractors to ultimately receive approval of the installed smoke control system and a Certificate of Occupancy.
Summit Fire Consulting was also hired by the Minnesota Twins to provide Special Inspection services for the smoke control systems at the new Target Field. The overall smoke management design included seven smoke control zones. Summit Fire Consulting acted as a liaison between the project team (i.e. General Contractor, Architect, and Engineer) with the City of Minneapolis code officials.
