Maintenance contractors do not provide water flow tests as part of their annual contracts. Flow tests are required as part of essential services maintenance and must be specifically asked for on an annual basis.

Addressable fire detection systems provide great flexibility in system design and usage; but the commissioning and on going maintenance of such systems can lead to long periods of testing and verification. This must be considered for each project and time allowed to undertake comprehensive testing.

The design density of a fire sprinkler system is a bench mark that the sprinkler system must be capable of achieving. In most cases the actual available density is much greater in parts of a building and will allow greater capacity for storage of goods.

Fire protection services installing companies usually employ their "favourite" certifier to provide a compliance report of their system. This can limit the amount of information that is based on and certification is based on a narrow view point and to a specific code. A certifier must be briefed with the big picture and be involved with the consulting engineer and building surveyor while also providing an independent view of the design and installation.

Design and install contracts are not cost effective. A contractor may provide you with the fire protection system that appears to meet the clients expectation. An experienced consulting engineer looks at the big picture, evaluates the risk and provides a cost effective solution.

We always recommend that a Fire Engineering Design Brief (FEDB) is carefully prepared for any performance based assessment and that any relevant stake holders are invited to at least one design brief meeting.

By putting all issues on the table at the begining of the project saves embarrassment at the end should another party challenge the methodology.

Insist that the stakeholders forming part of the FEDB team sign the brief before starting the engineering.