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Kevin Spangler, P.E.
Engineering Lead, Fire Protection
Josh Sprowls, P.E., S.E., PMP
Practice Executive, Engineering
Our Code Consulting and Code Compliance services help clients navigate complex fire protection and life safety requirements through independent design reviews, code compliance evaluations, performance-based fire engineering, and AHJ representation. By combining technical expertise with practical solutions, we help identify risks early, streamline approvals, enhance stakeholder coordination, and deliver safe, compliant, and cost-effective projects from design through occupancy.
Third-Party Review of Fire Protection & Life Safety Systems in New and Existing Buildings
Independent third-party reviews provide owners, developers, and design teams with an objective technical assessment of fire protection engineering deliverables during project planning and design. We provide independent engineering reviews for new construction and existing facilities.
Review services encompass a broad range of deliverables for fire protection engineering including engineering reports, technical calculations, fire and life safety analyses, design drawings, technical specifications, sequence of operations, computational modeling studies, and related engineering documentation. Reviews verify the technical accuracy, consistency, and coordination of these deliverables while identifying omissions, conflicts, and opportunities for improvement.
The review process may include document reviews, interdisciplinary design coordination, evaluation of engineering assumptions and methodologies, and assessment of proposed design modifications for renovation or facility improvement projects. Comments and recommendations are developed based on engineering judgment and project-specific requirements, providing an independent technical perspective throughout the design process.
Engineering review reports summarize technical observations, identified issues, and recommendations for resolution, providing project teams with clear, well-organized documentation to support engineering decisions. Independent third-party reviews help strengthen quality assurance, improve coordination among project stakeholders, and enhance the overall quality and accuracy of fire protection engineering deliverables before construction documents are finalized.
International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code(IFC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), and FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets (FMDS) Compliance Review and Report Preparation
Compliance with applicable codes and standards is a critical component of every successful project. Our engineers provide comprehensive code compliance reviews to verify that building designs, fire protection systems, and life safety features satisfy the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets (FMDS), and other applicable federal, state, local, and owner-specific requirements.
Early code analysis helps identify potential compliance issues before they affect project schedules, permitting, or construction. Beginning in the early stages of project development, our review evaluates occupancy classification, construction type, fire-resistance-rated assemblies, means of egress, fire protection systems, fire alarm systems, smoke control provisions, and other life safety features. We evaluate the design against applicable code and standards requirements, identify potential compliance issues, and work closely with the design team to develop practical solutions.
Clear and well-organized compliance reports document applicable codes and standards, summarize the basis of the compliance review, identify project-specific requirements, and provide technical findings and recommendations. Reports are tailored to the unique needs of each project and could support internal design reviews, owner requirements, permitting agencies, or Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
With experience across commercial, institutional, industrial, transportation, federal, aviation, and mission-critical facilities, we understand the challenges of projects governed by a wide range of code requirements. By identifying compliance issues early and providing thorough technical documentation, we help reduce costly redesigns, improve coordination among project stakeholders, and streamline the code review process. Our objective is to deliver accurate, practical, well-documented, and cost-effective evaluations that facilitate efficient project delivery and support successful project approvals.
Performance Based Design
Performance-based fire protection design provides engineering solutions when prescriptive building codes cannot fully address a project’s unique architectural, operational, or functional requirements. Rather than relying solely on code-prescribed provisions, this approach demonstrates that the proposed design achieves an equivalent level of life safety through engineering analysis, computational modeling, and performance evaluation.
Performance-based design is particularly valuable for projects involving complex architectural designs, high-rise buildings, transportation facilities, data centers, industrial facilities, large assembly occupancies, historic building renovations, existing building renovations and code upgrades, mixed-use developments, buildings pursuing alternative code compliance, among others.
Our fire protection engineers work closely with architects, owners, developers, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to develop creative and practical engineering solutions that support innovative building designs while maintaining an equivalent level of fire and life safety.
Every project begins with clearly defined performance objectives. We establish the applicable design criteria, identify credible fire scenarios, perform engineering analyses and computer simulations, evaluate occupant tenability and evacuation performance, and prepare comprehensive engineering documentation to facilitate AHJ review and approval. Our goal is to deliver practical, defensible, and cost-effective solutions that preserve the design intent while also satisfying the intent of the code.
Our analyses utilize industry-recognized software and engineering methodologies. Our performance-based design services include:
- Alternative Means and Methods (AM&M) analyses
- Fire and smoke modeling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
- Occupant egress modeling and evacuation analysis
- Tenability assessments and ASET/RSET analyses
- Smoke control system analysis and smoke management studies
- Atrium and large-volume space studies
- Performance-based sprinkler and fire alarm strategies
- Tunnel, rail, and transportation facility fire engineering
- Industrial, mission-critical, and infrastructure facility analyses
- Fire hazard and risk assessments
- Engineering reports, technical documentation, and AHJ support
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) Representation
Navigating code reviews, inspections, and approvals with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can be time-consuming and risky for facility owners. Our AHJ Representation service can provide support to owners throughout the entire permitting and acceptance process for fire protection and life safety systems, minimizing project delays and reducing the likelihood of costly rework.
We serve as your single point of contact with fire marshals, building officials, and other regulatory authorities with services such as preparing and submitting documentation, guiding plan review responses, hosting pre-submittal and field coordination meetings, and attending inspections and testing. Our team translates technical system details into clear and defensible submissions, recommend code-compliant solutions, and negotiate scope, phasing, or equivalencies where appropriate. We also coordinate with designers, contractors, and facility staff to ensure corrective actions are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with operations.
Whether you are commissioning new systems, renovating existing infrastructure, or addressing deficiencies from a Facility Condition Assessment, our AHJ Representation services help you streamline approvals across NFPA, IBC, IFC, and local amendments. Deliverables include tailored submittal packages, inspection accompaniment, documented meeting outcomes, and a clear path-to-acceptance that preserves occupant safety and project schedules.
Let us manage regulatory interaction so you can focus on operations. Contact us for a consultation and learn how proactive AHJ engagement can accelerate approvals and protect your project budget and timeline.
