Advanced Fire Sprinkler Design for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Building 654 Expansion - Livermore, CA

Image Credit: Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Category: Laboratories

Services Provided: Fire Protection Permit Shop Drawings 

Completion Date: May 2024 

Owner: Department of Energy

Architect: DGA Planning | Architecture | Interiors 

Contractor(s): Battalion One Fire Protection    

Project Description 

Pragmatic Professional Engineers executed a comprehensive fire sprinkler design for the expansion of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Building 654, a nuclear deterring facility. The design ensured compliance with LLNL safety standards, including seismic considerations, to protect the facility's advanced infrastructure in the event of a fire situation. 

Pragmatic PE was responsible for the detailed design, fabrication list, shop drawings, and permit submittals. The design included: hydraulic calculations, seismic calculations, sprinkler head locations, hanger details, and piping locations.  The fire protection layout was based on ordinary hazard and piping sizing was justified using the pipe schedule method and hydraulic calculations.  

The project faced several challenges, including the need to navigate structural obstacles such as I-beams and cross braces, requiring the addition of upright sprinkler heads and trapeze hangers for secure pipe placement. The team coordinated closely with structural engineers to ensure that all load calculations for the hanger assemblies met NFPA 13 standards. The second-floor design included a 1" tee at the top of the sprig-up to accommodate future installations for a drop ceiling.  

The fire sprinkler system was successfully integrated into the expanded building, ensuring robust protection for the high-tech equipment housed within. The design adhered to all safety and code requirements, providing the client with a reliable and efficient fire protection system.