Increased demand for fire, life safety systems
Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s 2019 Fire & Life Safety Study found that 83% of engineers are responsible for determining the requirements/writing specifications for fire and life safety systems; 76% research and evaluate these systems for consideration on a project; and 58% recommend the brand of system to be used. Below are five additional findings from this report:
- Annual revenue: During the most recently completed fiscal year, the average engineering firm earned $8.8 million in mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection design revenue — up 17% over the previous year. The average total dollar amount of fire and life safety systems specified for new and existing buildings has also increased from $1.9 million to $2.6 million year-over-year (+40%).
- Fire, life safety systems: Engineers most commonly specify smoke detection, control systems, dampers, etc. and fire, smoke, heat and linear detection systems for new and existing nonresidential buildings.
- Writing specifications: Engineering firms most commonly write performance or prescriptive fire and life safety systems specifications; 29% always use performance specifications (those in which text is restricted to stating the required performance).
- Current challenges: Having an inadequate budget for high-quality design remains the top challenge for fire protection engineers. Other difficult tasks include adhering to the expected project delivery date and the subjective interpretations of regulations by code authorities.
- Design factors: When comparing fire and life safety systems, engineers are heavily weighing product quality, previous experience with the manufacturer, service support and manufacturer’s reputation.
Access the full 2019 Fire & Life Safety Study here. View additional research from Consulting-Specifying Engineer: www.csemag.com/research
