Specifications and Plans
Engineering Specifications and Plans for Fire Alarm in Utah
We encourage customers to hire a professional engineer so when they get bids everyone is bidding on equal ground and everyone is clear about what needs to be included.
Some challenges occur when a specification is used that has excessive extra equipment, excessive training hours and trips as well as inspections built into the specification that the customer may not need.
I have seen specifications include more extra equipment than is on the entire project.
The State of Utah requires one Test and Inspection be done per year to meet code, sometimes a specification will include inspections as listed in NFPA 72 or actually list weekly, monthly or quarterly inspections which could become very expensive depending on the size of the project.
Another challenges arises when the plans do not show equipment that is needed to meet code. Often Electrical Engineers will leave out devices or appliances yet they will include a statement in the code that says that the installation must meet code. The American Society of Professional Estimators instructs us to BID OFF THE PLAN so everyone is bidding the same counts.
Sometimes what we will do at Peak Alarm is give the customer or contractor 2 prices, one as it is shown on the plans and a second price with additionals devices or appliances to meet fire code. Often projects need to be submitted to a 3rd Party and the fire marshal for review before they will be accepted.
As an owner you can review the specification and suggest additional items to your engineer or delete items that may not be needed. A good example is a computer for the access control system. Often owners will want to provide their own computer but if the specification calls for it and it gets included by one alarm contractor and not included by another the prices will be different.
We have recommendations of Electrical Engineers that we can make when you have questions.
Contact Larry@peakalarm.com (801) 428 1384 cell (801) 898 6003
Here is a short list of Electrical Engineers, if you you need me to correct any of these let me know or if you need me to add one let me know.
BNA - https://www.bnaconsulting.com/
Envision http://www.envisioneng.com
Ken Garner http://www.kengarner.com
Heath http://www.heatheng.com/
Spectrum http://www.spectrum-engineers.com/