The fire protection system in Macalister hall consists of sprinklers located on the basement and first floors, a dry standpipe in the central stairway, manual pull stations located at all major points of exit, smoke detectors throughout, and fire alarm bells located in the central spaces.

Why Was This System Selected?

There is not the ability to interpret much when dealing with fire protection systems, as the codes are very strict on what must be provided. Originally, the building was not sprinklered; the sprinklered areas were added during renovation projects. At the time of design, the engineers, and much of the industry, probably felt that a dry standpipe would be sufficient for this type of building. The addition of sprinklers during later renovations shows the changes in thinking towards sprinkler systems and their importance in building design.

The installation of the fire alarm system was most likely typical for the time. Fire alarm bells are today replaced by sirens or voice systems, where instead of the bell ringing, distinct instructions can be given over a speaker system. Additionally, the installation of ADA compliant strobes is standard in buildings today, in order to give warning to those with hearing disabilities. However, technology and law at the time of construction did not allow these choices to be considered.

Improvements to the Fire Protection System:

The largest improvement that can be made to this system is the installation of sprinklers throughout the building. The water service is obviously there, since part of the building has been sprinklered. Since this building has acoustical ceilings throughout, the installation of a wet sprinkler system could easily be accommodated.

Additionally, the fire alarm bells can be replaced with a voice system. Voice systems are nice because they can warn in advance of drills or give instructions during an emergency situation. Improvements in communication between safety technicians and the occupants of the building can save many lives in the event of a fire or other event.