Per NFPA 13, areas within a building will be defined as a light hazard, ordinary hazard (Group 1), ordinary hazard (Group 2), extra hazard (Group 1), and extra hazard (Group 2). For instance, one manufacturing occupancy, as defined by the IBC, may not be the same occupancy classification within NFPA 13 as a different manufacturing occupancy.
They do not directly correspond with the definitions one may find in the International Building Code or NFPA 101, Life Safety CodeĀ®. The occupancies within NFPA 13 have unique definitions. However, this step is not always as straightforward as one may think. The first step in the design process is determining the occupancy in which the system will be designed (Brock, 2012). These steps should be completed before the computer calculation program is opened.
Furthermore, the designer must understand how to locate the design area within the system. The designer must first define the occupancy and then move forward to determine the appropriate design area and density for the system. Therefore, it can be inferred that the first few steps the designer takes in the process are, arguably, the most important. The decisions made in one step will impact each step down the line. Given the number of steps that must be taken in order to design a sprinkler system, that provides a lot of room for error. Furthermore, from day one, designers must have a working understanding of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
Designers, many times, have to read and interpret specifications, reports, and drawings before beginning the design process within the various computer programs available to companies. Designers must understand the steps to be taken to ensure the sprinkler system will be adequate for a given facility. Designers, particularly newer designers, cannot be sat in front of a computer and be expected to get it right and understand sprinkler design the first time opening a program. However, given the demand for new sprinkler designers, there is a need to return to the basics.
Computer programs can provide you with pages of information at the click of a mouse. Hydraulic calculations completed by hand are a thing of the past.