Fire Alarm Design for Industrial Facilities

Fire Alarm Design for Industrial Facilities

Presented by Andrew Woodward, P.E., Arup

What should an engineer provide to the installer and what should the installing contractor ask to successfully deliver a fire alarm system in an industrial facility?

Industrial facilities include chemical, laboratories, manufacturing, power generation, processing operations, sewage and wastewater treatment plants, etc. Hazards in industrial facilities pose threats vastly different from those found in typical office and residential buildings. Installing the appropriate fire detection system can detect an event to initiate mitigation and prevent escalation. However, installing the incorrect system can cause unwanted alarms and disrupt operations.

Designing and installing a fire alarm system in an industrial facility can be challenging. NFPA 72 does not provide prescriptive requirements for detectors that are typically installed. Before designing a fire alarm system, it is critical to understand the hazards and the owner’s objectives for managing risk.

The presentation will discuss the types of detection, notification, interfaces and installation considerations associated with a fire alarm system in an industrial facility or industrial area of a building.

Andrew Woodward is an Associate with Arup in Boston where he supports the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire alarm systems in industrial facilities for various clients. He has 15 years of experience and is a licensed fire protection engineer in Massachusetts. He serves on the technical committee for NFPA 72 emergency communication systems and is a past president of the SFPE New England Chapter.