Plan Review.
Analysis.
Equivalencies or performance-based solutions.
Authority Relations.
Due Diligence.

R.J. Bartlett Engineering Ltd. has a thorough knowledge of fire safety requirements in building codes, fire codes and their referenced standards.

Involvement in committees dedicated to the development of these codes and standards provide staff with an understanding of the origin and intent of these provisions.

Experience on projects across North America and the Caribbean has provided R.J. Bartlett Engineering Ltd. with a comprehensive background on the correct application of code requirements.

R.J. Bartlett Engineering Ltd. can assist in the assessment and selection of building designs. Building code and fire code provisions, as well as additional requirements of authorities having jurisdiction, all have an impact on any design. Staff can explain these requirements and indicate the many options pertinent to each design.

Both new and existing buildings can provide a unique challenge to any designer in meeting code requirements. Where these requirements would normally impose impractical requirements on a design or could not feasibly be incorporated into a design, equivalencies can be developed.

An equivalency is an alternative approach to meeting code requirements which provides an equivalent level of life safety and is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. Equivalencies are a means of satisfying the concerns of owners, developers, designers and authorities while providing alternative design options.

• Working with owners and architects during concept design stages providing advice on all avenues available for complying with code requirements.
• Evaluating existing buildings and developing options for fire safety without requiring literal compliance with current codes. This is accomplished through such means as performance-based analysis to satisfy prescriptive code requirements. Other means include application of numeric evaluation tools such as the Canadian Hospital Fire Safety Evaluation System.
• Preparing "mini codes" for specific projects for use and conformance to applicable requirements. Applicable requirements from codes are documented in a brief report which is used by the designers and Authority throughout the project.
• Developing and negotiating approvals for building features that do not satisfy the prescriptive code requirements but satisfy the intent of the code requirement. This allows for flexible, practical and innovative building features.
• Providing complete fire safety advice for owners, designers and contractors.