Fire Sprinkler Software for residential and commercial structures

I'd have thought software was the last thing you would want in this application?

I'd be after simplicity and reliability.

There is a significant amount of software available and I was looking for someone who may use it already.

Ok I hear what you are saying....

But just out of interest.

I still can't see how it's a good idea...

What runs the software?

What happens if power goes down?...surely a common effect or cause of fire?

Maybe I'm missing something?

I am looking for design software, not software to operate the system. Sorry for the confusion

Are you looking at design or live software?

Most of the large companies that do commercial and industrial control systems, use dedicated DDC controllers. I worked for Johnson Controls, and they had their own line of dedicated fire and smoke controllers, and interfaces, and workstation "Monitoring Software".

As others have indicated, the true control must be ultra reliable, and this is why DDC is used, and not a pc, which can be subject to operating system failure. DDC controllers are basically microprocessors, surge protected, battery backed up systems.. and using very simple programs to run relatively bulletproof applications.

If you want to get into this at home, just get an allen-bradley SLC-500 or similar product line, and you can program the system with the rockwell ladder logic software, and if you need an interface for operation, you can use a touch screen or panel display from the same source. Everything here in Canada for AB is sold through Westburne Electric, I believe.

(We use this product line (AB) at our factory for programming controls for Blowout Preventer control in the oilfield.. so its reliable enough.. just not cheap.)

conversely, you can do all the IO yourself with microprocessors like the PIC product lines.. but then you will also have to build your own circuit boards, and interfacing etc, so in the long run, not a savings. Honeywell may have some products you can purhase over the counter that will do the trick..

Basically, you don't want to use a PC, and software for mission critical applications, except where it is "Monitoring Only", and not control of the system (pumps, valves, fire doors, etc). As mentioned by others, simple foolproof mechanisms are best for immediate response.. then redundancy planning.. then monitoring.

If remote monitoring is your idea, it will be subject to increasing risk as to reliability, because now you have to factor in all the potential failures of whatever network and transmission technology you apply. Alarm systems within buildings are all hardwired and therefore, as reliable as any direct copper connection. These are the reasons why Remote Fire monitoring systems are not more common.. reliablity reliability reliability.

How many times has your pc crashed this year? every pc I've ever had has done it.

Computer systems for mission critical systems are expensive, because of the cost of reliability, redundancy, and infrastructure. No machine system is truly free from maintenance, or standalone. everything eventually breaks down. The commercial companies rarely offer just the product line. The make their money on service and maintenance, which is more profitable.

But I'm still curious what you are thinking of?

Chris

A side note here is that before the advent of computer technologies, in the 60's and 70's, building systems used pneumatic controls (still made by Johnson Controls) and these systems grew quite complicated. However, they were very reliabie. Copper tubing was used for the sensor lines, and metal cast bodies for the reciever/controllers. once programmed, these systems were nearly perfect for reliability. They have almost all been replaced in the last 15 years as DDC proves to be more adaptable, programmable, and cheaper to install and maintain, and that they offer greater energy efficiency, with susbsequently lower building operationg costs.

Thanks for that, Chris, it is a good summary of the state of things today.

Larry K.

KYPIPE has a great hydraulics program. It does a lot more that sprinkler systems, and can handle any size fire system you throw at it.

I use software from Elite for my commercial layout. However, even though I am a PE I use the results to size piping for cost estimating purposes. I still require the submittal of a final design by a certified fire protection Engineer. When you are dealing with Life/Safety issues there are no good shortcuts.

KoBender,

what is your application?

Chris

I am looking for design software. That is, a computer program to verify the design of a system and to compute flows, etc.

Try your suppliers (emitters, pipe & pumps) first.

Long ago Borland sold a product that could be programmed to solve problems - it was called Eureka.

Hi,

I would like to enquire about 2 softwares, HASS and SprinkCAD. Anyone has any experiences with them? Which one would you recommend for a mid level entry software?

Regards,

SKai