Mar 14, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Academic Calendar
  University Overview
  Admissions
  Student Financial Services
  Academic Regulations and Policies
  Degree Programs, Minors, and Certificates
  Degrees, Minors, and Certificates by Department
  Course Descriptions
  The Raider Core
  Applied AI Integration
  Explorer Pathways
  MSOE Honors Program
  Global Opportunities
  Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. (ROTC)
  Administration, Regents, and Advisory Committees
  Departments and Faculty
  Campus Map
  Student Resources
  My Portfolio
HELP
2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
Facebook this Page (opens a new window)
Tweet this Page (opens a new window)
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

ARE 3441 - Design of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course covers life safety and fire suppression system components, design, layout, and specification concepts. The fire suppression systems to be examined include water-based systems, alternative agent systems, sprinkler systems, hose valve systems, pumping equipment, and fire suppression piping and installation specifications. Design tools to be used include traditional calculations, spreadsheets, and computerized modeling programs. Design standards and variations will be discussed using NFPA standards and master specifications. The architectural engineer’s responsibilities in design and specification writing will be emphasized through examples of construction document components, including plans, details, and specifications.
Prereq: ARE 3401  
Note: None
This course meets the following Raider Core CLO Requirement: None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Discuss principles of life safety in building design
  • Discuss architectural and engineering building design elements and materials of construction as they relate to fire suppression systems for buildings
  • Use computer-based applications to assist design of water-based fire suppression systems
  • Calculate water supply flow and pressures and determine the system needs
  • Analyze a building type to determine the proper fire protection system selection
  • Devise the most efficient configuration for a water-based fire suppression system and design a water-based automatic fire sprinkler system for a commercial building
  • Compare and contrast alternative fire suppression agents including gaseous, foam, and chemical suppression agents
  • As part of their development of an Entrepreneurial Mindset (EM), students will develop and justify solutions that create value for identified stakeholders.
Prerequisites by Topic
  • Calculation of fluid flow in a system
  • Pipe sizing
  • Pump selection
Course Topics
  • Introduction to fire suppression and life safetyMaterials and equipment
  • Planning
  • Sprinkler layout
  • Hangers and hanging
  • Job site surveys and coordination
  • Water supplies and underground piping
  • Hydraulic calculations
  • Modeling program use
  • Pumps and pumping systems
  • Standpipe systems
  • Design calculations for complex systems
  • Gaseous suppression systems
  • Chemical-based suppression systems
  • Foam-based suppression systems
  • Water-mist systems
Coordinator
Jayme Radomski, P.E.


Facebook this Page (opens a new window)
Tweet this Page (opens a new window)
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)