Fire Suppression Design Tool for Commercial Kitchens
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design and construction process for commercial kitchen fire suppression systems is inefficient, time-consuming, and lacks uniformity, involving manual measurements, multiple entity approvals, and frequent design revisions, leading to delays and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system design tool with a processor, memory, and visual display that allows for the digital design of fire suppression components, appliance placement, nozzle positioning, and formatting of designs for regulatory compliance, reducing the need for manual submissions and facilitating uniformity across multiple locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual design processes are used with multiple entity approvals, then design customization is possible, but design time and project duration increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating nozzle positions, pre-defining protection zones, and pre-formatting designs for regulatory compliance. This eliminates the need for iterative manual adjustments and multiple approval cycles, significantly reducing design time while maintaining customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The design tool enables self-service by automatically generating complete fire suppression system designs based on user input of kitchen dimensions and appliance locations. The system independently calculates nozzle positions, determines protection zones, and formats regulatory submissions without requiring external designer intervention, thus reducing both time and cost.
2Loss of time
If drawings are submitted early for regulatory approval, then project timeline can be optimized, but drawings are often rejected requiring redesign
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by automatically formatting designs according to regulatory requirements and including all necessary information (protection zones, nozzle positions, coverage areas) in the initial submission. This ensures drawings are approved on first submission, eliminating rejection cycles and optimizing project timelines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each kitchen is designed independently from scratch, then design flexibility is maintained, but time and effort are wasted without regard to past designs
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes copying by storing and reusing standardized kitchen layouts, appliance configurations, and fire suppression designs from previous projects. These templates can be quickly adapted to new locations with minimal modifications, significantly improving productivity while maintaining the ability to customize when needed.
4Productivity
If cooking staff are not consulted prior to drawing submission, then design process is streamlined, but design changes are required after submission
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary consultations with cooking staff by incorporating appliance location preferences and operational requirements into the design process before regulatory submission. This ensures the design is finalized and approved by all stakeholders, eliminating the need for post-submission changes while maintaining design adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of designing a fire suppression system that includes displaying one or more components of the fire suppression system on a visual display, wherein the displayed one or more components of the fire suppression system are formatted so as to printable in a form acceptable for a majority of state and local regulatory authorities empowered to regulate installation of the fire suppression system.