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Who's Responsible for the Design and Installation of a Fire Protection System?

As a seasoned Texas plumber, I've often found myself grappling with the question of accountability when it comes to designing and installing fire protection systems. A recent project at a church in Texas has left me pondering this very issue.

The situation revolved around a 3-story building with 36-foot throw sidewalls, where the engineer insisted on maintaining the existing sidewalls without any pipe crossings in the room. Unfortunately, this approach proved impossible due to supply constraints. To make matters worse, eliminating the pump and standpipes could have saved the county a staggering $110,000 or more (including electrical costs).

The contractor was tasked with following the plan/specs, which designated us as the 'delegated' designer. However, when changes were needed to the delegated design and it was rejected, liability became a pressing concern. Who is ultimately responsible for the design and performance of the system?

In this particular case, we were instructed to adhere to the prints, despite our reservations about the need for automatic-wet standpipes. We sent out an RFI (Request for Information) to query the necessity of these standpipes, suggesting alternatives like manual/wet systems or even eliminating them altogether. Unfortunately, our concerns were rejected.

The plan/specs required an automatic-wet standpipe with a 125 PSI 500 pump, which seemed excessive given that the third floor was only 30 feet above apparatus/grade and didn't necessitate standpipes in the first place. Moreover, none of the previous projects had complied with fire safety codes. Issues arose regarding head spacing and pump specifications, further complicating matters.

As a plumber with over 'X' years of experience, I've noticed a trend in recent projects where mechanical engineers (plumbing/HVAC) are designing layouts for schematic and bid drawings without fully grasping the intricacies of fire protection systems. This raises important questions about who is ultimately responsible for the end product's design and installation.

In conclusion, as we strive to provide top-notch fire protection services in Texas, it's crucial to establish clear lines of accountability when it comes to designing and installing these critical systems. While the contractor may be delegated the task of design, ultimate responsibility lies with ensuring that the system meets safety codes and performs as intended.

Instal the new for windows Texas plumber installer license prep class