The fire protection industry has made significant progress in the past few years. Engineers are continuously embracing newer technologies to enhance fire protection system designs and provide enhanced protection to properties and assets.
Earlier, designers used to rely on manual drafting methods to create layouts for fire sprinkler systems within buildings. However, these traditional approaches were laborious, time-consuming, and prone to errors. They also lead to clashes, conflicts, and rework during construction.
AutoCAD Simplified the Design Process
The introduction of Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology revolutionized fire sprinkler system design. AutoCAD, a 2D drafting tool, brought speed, flexibility, and ease of revision to the design process. It quickly became the choice for designers as it allowed them to create drawings that could be easily modified and refined before installation. This streamlined workflow and improved efficiency.
AutoCAD surpassed its drafting capabilities by enabling designers and engineers to perform calculations and generate fabrication reports specific to the industry. These features contribute toward making fire protection sprinkler systems more efficient and accurate.
The Benefits of AutoCAD in Sprinkler System Design
Hassle-Free Drafting
AutoCAD is a renowned computer-aided design software appreciated for its flexibility and versatility. It adopts a 2D drafting approach, which is preferred by designers who look for simpler designing and drafting methods.
Customization Options
AutoCAD provides designers with the ability to create customized fire fighting drawings and symbols. Designers can seamlessly create 2D drawings of fire sprinkler systems, including floor plans, elevation views, and isometric views.
Hydraulic Calculations
By utilizing third-party plugins and applications, AutoCAD can facilitate hydraulic calculations and pipe sizing. This equips designers with the tools for accurate system designs.
Application Across Industries
AutoCAD also proves to be a choice for professionals working on projects that extend beyond fire protection systems.
The Introduction of AutoSPRINK in Fire Sprinkler System Design
Although AutoCAD has been the go-to software for designing fire sprinkler systems, the software operates primarily in a 2D environment and makes coordination and clash detection difficult. The emergence of AutoSPRINK, however, brought about significant changes in how engineers approach fire protection. This computer-aided program has gained popularity among fire sprinkler designers due to its superior 3D modeling and visualization capabilities. Even 2D drawings can be extracted out of it.
AutoSPRINK also offers integration with building information modeling (BIM) software, empowering designers and engineers to design, calculate, coordinate, and stocklist pipes, fittings, and hangers for precise and code-compliant fire sprinkler system designs.
Benefits of AutoSPRINK in Sprinkler System Design
User-Friendly Interface
The AutoSPRINK software features an interface that’s easy to navigate for both beginners and experienced designers. Its straightforward tools simplify the design process and reduce the learning curve.
Efficient Design Iterations
With automated design features, AutoSPRINK accelerates the design process significantly. From pipe layout to calculations, designers can rely on AutoSPRINK to create accurate and efficient Pre-Fab Drawings and Stock Listing in a few clicks.
Precise Hydraulic Calculations
With AutoSPRINK, hydraulic calculations can be performed in just one click. These calculations ensure water distribution according to safety standards. With AutoSPRINK’s integrated hydraulics feature, designers can conveniently run calculations directly from the model without relying on software. This simplifies the optimization of system performance while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM)
The software seamlessly integrates with BIM software such, as Autodesk Revit allowing users to effortlessly create 3D models of sprinkler systems. This integration greatly enhances coordination and collaboration among project stakeholders resulting in accurate MEPF designs that are free from clashes.
Customization
This feature enables designers to create and save templates symbols and specifications using AutoSPRINK. This promotes consistency across projects and streamlines the design process for tasks.
Accurate Bill of Materials
To facilitate cost construction the software provides 3D visualizations that allow designers to accurately represent the layout of sprinkler systems. This leads to accurate bills of materials comprising pipes, sprinkler heads, fittings, and components. The 3D modeling capabilities foster communication and enable budget-friendly constructions.
AutoCAD versus AutoSPRINK: Making the Right Choice
When considering whether to use AutoCAD or AutoSPRINK for designing sprinkler protection systems, it’s important to assess your project’s complexity. For projects or cases where 2D drawings are sufficient AutoCAD may be a choice. However, for projects that involve detailed hydraulic calculations, AutoSPRINK offers specialized tools and features.
Some of the factors to keep in mind while making a choice include:
Budget
AutoCAD may be more cost-effective if you already have licenses and are a skilled user. AutoSprink, on the other hand, is a specialized software and may involve additional licensing costs. However, by outsourcing fire sprinkler design and drafting services to specialized providers, you can easily alleviate the software licensing and training costs.
Code Compliance
When it comes to staying up-to-date with the latest fire codes, AutoSprink’s regular updates can provide a significant advantage.
Fire Sprinkler Designing in Revit
AutoSPRINK includes purpose-built tools that facilitate design in Revit while also helping to address clash and coordination challenges. Teams can ensure that the fire sprinkler system does not interfere with other mechanical systems, such as heating and cooling systems, or electrical wiring. This level of coordination helps to reduce conflicts and errors during construction, ultimately resulting in a safer and more efficient building.
Quick Hydraulic Calculations
Using AutoSPRINK, stock listing and hydraulic calculations can be prepared in just one click. Whereas in AutoCAD, these calculations need to be done manually.
The Bottom Line
Both AutoCAD and AutoSPRINK are tools within the fire protection industry each, with its strengths. The ultimate choice depends on your project requirements.
If you are a Fire Protection company with many projects and want to save time with user friendly features, extract Pre-Fab and Stocklists on the fly, streamlined workflow, and quick Hydraulic calculations, then AutoSPRINK is a great option. You will need some training to understand all features.
Conversely, if you already own AutoCAD licenses and have been comfortable working with 2D Drawings, then AutoCAD remains a good contender for Fire Protection Design.
Regardless of your requirements, at Enginerio we offer the best of both worlds. We understand that making a decision about a software or a service can be challenging; that’s why, we provided you with the information based on our experience of working with both the software tools for Fire Sprinkler design.
Our fire sprinkler designers and drafters have AutoCAD/AutoSPRINK capabilities and can design the most efficient fire protection systems for residential and commercial structures with the software of your choice.. With a consultative approach, our designers and drafters work closely with you to understand your unique project needs and deliver customized solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Hire our fire protection consultants and elevate your fire safety standards today!
