Fire & Life Safety
Plan review is part of the permitting process to ensure that the project you plan to build complies with applicable codes before construction begins. Construction projects are checked for compliance with basic requirements of the building codes.
We thoroughly review the required aspects of fire and life safety for compliance with applicable codes and standards for authority submission and approval.
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”. We understand the code requirements well enough to put them in simple perspective in simple terms!
Our global contribution to building and fire code development process has made us well versed with the AHJ expectations. In addition, resolving the design issues of complex projects from concept through completion has earned the confidence of our clients.
Being the ‘House of Expertise’ licensed by Ministry of Interior, Civil Defense HQ, Butler Engineering is obliged to supervise, control and recommend mitigating Fire & Life Safety provisions in all industrial, commercial and residential establishments in conjunction with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) as per the regulations issued by the UAE Civil Defence.
Complex and unique proposals/problems/issues/requirements/expectations of our clients can be put up to the AHJ for review and approval.
A design will require installation and commissioning to work as intended. Commissioning of FLS systems will be the last step during handover. This stage is critical and requires an expert eye. In addition, most projects require 3rd party commissioning to ensure compliance.
A challenging day in the life of Engineers will come when prescriptive codes are insufficient to address current design needs. A bespoke design and justification of the design shall be required.
Our code experts have been actively involved in the development of advanced engineering solutions industry needs.
A technological development in the field of computational analysis. Engineers have found new ways to assess Fire & Life Safety challenges, i.e. Performance Based Design. At Butler Engineering, we focus on analyzing the solutions through such techniques.
Building modelling has become a common requirement to represent FLS design, especially when the design substantiation is crucial. We provide in-house Fire, Smoke and Evacuation modeling solutions through a dedicated team of experts and specialized softwares.
Butler Engineering were involved in design of high concentrated assembly occupancies (Metro Rail, Airports, Malls), where the need of not only FLS & evacuation modeling but operational aspects were also addressed. Level of Service modeling (to ensure during operations the area should be able to serve large occupants) is one example.
- DIIM Philosophy
Our strong advocacy for life safety and property protection is based on DIIM Philosophy. The individual elements – Design, Install, Inspect, Maintain/Manage – put together ensure the required ‘safe system’ for code compliance.
Design: Appropriately designed and listed system(s) shall be selected by the installer and/or proposed by the manufactures of fire protection systems.
Install: Designed and approved systems shall be installed by qualified installers/contractors licensed by Building Officials and/or Civil Defense Authority.
Inspect: Installed or in-progress installation shall be inspected by an independent inspection agency accredited to IAS AC291 or equivalent criteria acceptable to local AHJ. Maintain/Manage: Over a period of time installed fire & life safety systems deteriorate. Building owners must undertake annual inspection of installed fire & life safety systems to ensure proper maintenance to comply with local authority requirements. Damaged or deteriorated systems or system components shall be regularly maintained and/or replaced.
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Standards:
- ASTM E2174: Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Stops
- ASTM E2393: Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Resistive Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers
- NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
- NFPA 80: Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
- And Other Applicable Standards
- Passive Fire Protection
Firestopping
Fireproofing
Fire Dampers
Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
- Active Fire Protection
Detection & Notification
Suppression & Extinguishing
Fire risk assessments are conducted when the problem is identified and to assess the level of risk present due to that problem. FRA is also required to identify methods of lowering the risk to an acceptable level. The objective can be risk to life, property, operations, environment or risk to cultural resources.
Promoting safer, less vulnerable communities with the capacity to cope with the hazards and disasters. Providing solutions to ensure emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery programs.
Being the ‘House of Expertise’ licensed by Ministry of Interior, Civil Defense HQ, Butler Engineering is obliged to supervise, control and recommend mitigating Fire & Life Safety provisions in all industrial, commercial and residential establishments in conjunction with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) as per the regulations issued by the UAE Civil Defence.
DIIM philosophy ensures protection in the built environment, emphasis more on inspection which is careful examination of FLS systems by competent inspectors. UAE Fire Code mandates inspection during construction and final signoff by House of Expertise Fire Consultants. Our expertise in smart inspections include on-site and remote inspection have made these inspections simple, efficient and cost effective.