PASSIVE BUILDING SYSTEMS
In this series, we talk about ways to limit the effects of heat and smoke through passive building methods. We cover Construction Types, selection of building materials, explore the limits on how we construct different types of buildings through allowable building heights and areas, and talk on building separation. We then explore material selection for finished surfaces inside the building, how we accomplish fire resistive structure, how we compartmentalize spaces, and protect rated assemblies, all in the context of preparing for the Fire Protection P.E. Exam.
1. Understand Construction Types and building limitations such as allowable number of stories, height, and building area.
2. Be introduced to building structural fire-resistance requirements, and be capable of identifying methods for structural fire resistance.
3. Understand compartmentation, the different types of fire and smoke-resistive assemblies, and how we protect those assemblies.
PE109 - 2025 - 1.5 HOURS
TOPICS IN THIS KNOWLEDGE AREA
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
Steven Barrett, PE
Fire Protection Engineer IV at SmithGroup / Fire Protection Engineer | Chicago, Illinois, USA
Steven Barrett is a licensed professional engineer in the discipline of fire protection with over 14 years of design experience in the practice of fire protection, fire alarm, building code, and life safety in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. Mr. Barrett is the Fire Protection Discipline Leader for the SmithGroup Midwest Region (including Madison, Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Chicago – the office where he is based). Mr. Barrett is also an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois where he teaches Plumbing and Fire Protection Design in the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department to bachelor’s and master’s students.
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Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise. MeyerFire, LLC is a NICET Recognized Training Provider and an International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.
Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise. MeyerFire, LLC is a NICET Recognized Training Provider and an International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.
We respect your privacy and personal data. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence.
Copyright MeyerFire, LLC © 2025
Copyright MeyerFire, LLC © 2025
Understanding Use & Occupancy
LS101 | 1.5 Hours
Introduction to Codes & Standards
LS001 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we explore foundational concepts around building codes and standards. What is a building code? A model code? How are codes & standards developed? What codes & standards apply to my project? How is the IBC organized? What is a prescriptive versus a performance-based requirement? We explore all this an more in this introductory series.
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
FA102 | 1.0 Hour
In this series, we explore fire alarm system types and describe different system setups. What is the difference between Temporal-3 and voice? One-way and two-way communication systems? What is mass notification? What is conventional versus addressable? Manual versus automatic? In this intro-level series, we explore these terms and features of fire alarm systems.
Layout of Control Equipment
FA111 | 1.0 Hour
Layout of Pull Stations
FA112 | 1.0 Hour
Manual pull stations may be the most iconic piece of a fire alarm system, yet they're less common in new installations today. When do we include them? If they're used, where are they located, and what rules govern their exact height and position? We look at all of this and more in this interactive series.
Smoke Detection Coverage
FA113 | 1.0 Hour
Many of us are familiar with smoke alarms in our homes, but what about smoke detectors in general? When do we use them? Why do we use them? Are they required everywhere for every building, or only in certain areas? How do they work? What do they do once they detect smoke? We cover all this and more in this series based on spot type smoke detectors and smoke alarms.
Layout of Other Initiation Devices
FA115 | 1.5 Hours
Layout for Visual Notification
FA121 | 1.0 Hours
In this series, we tackle layout for visual notification appliances. Where do strobes and text signs go? We break down placement strategies, text appliances, and key code triggers with quick-reference flowcharts and cheatsheets. Exercises and quizzes help put the rules into practice so you can confidently apply notification requirements in this 8-part series.
Layout for Audibility & Intelligibility
FA122 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we explain audibility and NFPA 72 requirements for public and private mode signaling, placement of horns and speakers, and the 6 dB rule for sound loss over distance. We compare horns and speakers, explain intelligibility, and show how we use pragmatic tools for design, installation, and testing to meet the needs for audible and intelligible messaging.
Introduction to Sprinkler & Standpipes
FX001 | 1.0 Hour
In this series, we will cover the basics of fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, with the goal of the following: (1) understand what fire sprinkler and standpipe systems are, (2) understand the purposes and goals of fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, (3) understand common misconceptions about sprinkler systems, and (4) understand when sprinkler systems are required.
Standards of Sprinkler Design
FX101 | 1.0 Hour
In this series, we will cover the basics of fire sprinkler design standards, with the following objectives: What codes and standards typically apply to fire sprinkler systems? When can NFPA 13, 13R, and 13D be used for fire sprinkler systems? When is both NFPA 13 and 13R permitted in Mixed-Occupancy buildings?
Standards of Standpipe Systems
FX102 | 1.0 Hour
System Types & Layouts
FX120 | 1.5 Hours
In this series we cover different types of sprinkler systems and how they're arranged. What terms to we use to describe different parts of a system? When do we choose tree systems vs. loops vs. grids? When are each allowed to be used? When are wet, dry, pre-action and deluge systems chosen? We cover all this as part of this series.
Flow Tests
FX130 | 1.5 Hours
What is a fire hydrant flow test? What types of water supplies are these tested on? How do we prepare and conduct a flow test? How do we apply a coefficient of discharge? What tips result in better tests? We explore this and more in our series about fire hydrant flow tests for fire suppression systems.
Water Supply Evaluation
FX131 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we dive into evaluating water supply using the N1.85 graph. What is it, and why does it matter? What can interpolation and extrapolation tell us about the results? Why might flowing more water during a flow test actually help? We compare calculated and graphed results, extrapolate fire flow, share examples of different water supply results, explore variation and safety factors in this 12-part series.
Understanding Obstructed Construction
FX153 | 1.5 Hours
Understanding Unobstructed Construction
FX154 | 1.0 Hour
Layout for Standard Spray Sprinklers
FX173 | 3.0 Hours
The Sprinkler Layout Process
FX174 | 3.0 Hours
In this series, we expand upon the rules of sprinkler layout and construct a repeatable process for the layout of fire sprinklers. We'll identify all of the steps in the layout process, explore why spacing matters, evaluate three real-world project situations, and complete our own layout criteria for different situations.
Effective Use of Codes & Standards
LS111 | 1.0 Hour
In this series, we break down how to read and apply codes and standards with real-world purpose. We start with the origins of code, explore historical context, then cover how code language and structure are organized, highlight common pitfalls in reading and interpreting requirements, and show how to avoid costly mistakes. We dive into modern tools—PDFs, online platforms, and even AI—and how they change the way we learn and apply code.
Construction Documents, Part I
DX102 | 1.0 Hour
In this series we break out different pieces of a set of construction documents. We describe what the different components are, what purpose they serve, where they're located, and tips for reading and creating a cohesive, clear set of construction documents. In this 5-part series we cover symbols, general notes, plan notes, key notes, views, plans, sections, elevations and isometrics.
Types of Analysis
PE101 | 3.5 Hours
This series focuses on ways to analyze information relevant to fire protection systems, specifically in preparation for the Fire Protection P.E. Exam. We'll overview hazardous materials from NFPA 400, storage, and processes. We'll overview risk in terms of likelihood, severity, and failure. We'll also look at data interpretation and limits.
Information for Analysis
PE102 | 4.5 Hours
This series covers data that we use to classify and address fire protection challenges. We cover uncertainty and safety factors, facility site planning, tenability and combustion thresholds, types of standards, occupancy, hazard and commodity classifications, testing, and more. This wide-ranging series introduces important criteria that shape the way we understand fire protection engineering.
Fire Dynamics
PE103 | 3.5 Hours
In this series, we explore the science of fire dynamics. We'll talk on the chemical reaction behind combustion itself, explore the heat of combustion, heat transfer during fire, and limits for flammability in fuels. We'll introduce concepts and methods for solving for flames and plumes, explore how solids and liquids ignite, burn, and spread. Then, we'll explore fires in compartments in both pre-flashover and post-flashover conditions.
Water-Based Fire Suppression
PE104 | 3.0 Hours
In this series, we focus on how water-based suppression methods shape the world of fire protection today. We talk about sprinkler and standpipe system components, purpose, and governing rules. We overview design criteria, water supply, fire pumps and calculation methods, and we overview types of testing. This is a helpful overview and recap course for preparing for the Fire Protection P.E. Exam.
Special Hazard Systems
PE105 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we introduce Special Hazard suppression systems, including Carbon Dioxide, Clean Agent, Wet and Dry Chemical, Foam, and Hypoxic Air Systems. What are they? How are they comprised? What methods of suppression are there? What's the design criteria? How are they controlled? We cover this and more in this 7-part series in preparation for the Fire Protection P.E. Exam.
Fire Alarm Systems
PE106 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we cover fundamentals of fire alarm systems, covering purpose, components, types of fire alarm systems, integrations and different applications, how we design fire alarm systems, and how we test, inspect and maintain fire alarm systems. This 7-part series lays the groundwork for fire alarm understanding for the Fire Protection P.E. Exam.
Smoke Control
PE107 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we expand on smoke control systems to discuss different system types, different methods of managing smoke, how the systems integrate, and what design criteria we use. We then explore a host of calculation methods that we can use to understand and estimate airflow and movement of smoke in a fire. This course is specific to applicable smoke control topics relevant to the Fire Protection P.E. Exam.
Explosion Prevention
PE108 | 1.0 Hour
In this series we cover the basics of explosion protection and prevention. We look at different methods used to prevent explosions from happening including preventing ignition, limiting fuel, and maintaining non-flammable environments. We also explore some basic calculated relationships for explosion venting in preparation for the P.E. Exam.
Passive Building Systems
PE109 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we talk about ways to limit the effects of heat and smoke through passive building methods. We cover Construction Types, selection of building materials, explore the limits on how we construct different types of buildings through allowable building heights and areas, and talk on building separation. We then explore material selection for finished surfaces inside the building, how we accomplish fire resistive structure, how we compartmentalize spaces and protect rated assemblies.
Means of Egress
PE110 | 1.5 Hours
In this series, we overview how we implement egress strategies of NFPA 101 in buildings. We discuss different means of egress components, identify exit access, exits, and exit discharge, and calculate occupant loads. We evaluate the required number and capacities of egress components, evaluate common path, travel distance, and dead-end requirements, and cover requirements for emergency lighting and exit signage. This series focuses on egress topics from NFPA 101 with a focus on the Fire Protection P.E. Exam.
Human Behavior
PE111 | 1.0 Hour
In this series, we focus on understanding human behavior in fire emergencies. We introduce the fundamentals of human behavior, look into how people respond to cues before evacuation, and explore factors influencing decision-making. We then look at timed egress analysis, looking at how occupants move past components and travel to safe distances. Finally, we look at how smoke, heat, and toxin exposure affect both human behavior and movement. This course is designed to develop a foundational level of understanding for human behavior.
PE Prep Series Weeks 1-4
PE201 | 2.0 Hours
These weekly exams are a series of timed 1-hour, 10-question simulated PE Exams designed to offer weekly practice towards the Fire Protection P.E. Exam. Following each exam, we detail worked solutions to teach the concepts and support learning on each of these topics. Have a little fun, practice consistently, track your improvement and your peer ranking week-to-week with our best method of simulating the actual test environment.
PE Prep Series Weeks 5-8
PE202 | 2.0 Hours
These weekly exams are a series of timed 1-hour, 10-question simulated PE Exams designed to offer weekly practice towards the Fire Protection P.E. Exam. Following each exam, we detail worked solutions to teach the concepts and support learning on each of these topics. Have a little fun, practice consistently, track your improvement and your peer ranking week-to-week with our best method of simulating the actual test environment.
PE Prep Series Weeks 9-12
PE203 | 2.0 Hours
These weekly exams are a series of timed 1-hour, 10-question simulated PE Exams designed to offer weekly practice towards the Fire Protection P.E. Exam. Following each exam, we detail worked solutions to teach the concepts and support learning on each of these topics. Have a little fun, practice consistently, track your improvement and your peer ranking week-to-week with our best method of simulating the actual test environment.
PE Prep Series Weeks 13-16
PE204 | 2.0 Hours
These weekly exams are a series of timed 1-hour, 10-question simulated PE Exams designed to offer weekly practice towards the Fire Protection P.E. Exam. Following each exam, we detail worked solutions to teach the concepts and support learning on each of these topics. Have a little fun, practice consistently, track your improvement and your peer ranking week-to-week with our best method of simulating the actual test environment.
PE Prep Series Weeks 17-20
PE205 | 2.0 Hours
These weekly exams are a series of timed 1-hour, 10-question simulated PE Exams designed to offer weekly practice towards the Fire Protection P.E. Exam. Following each exam, we detail worked solutions to teach the concepts and support learning on each of these topics. Have a little fun, practice consistently, track your improvement and your peer ranking week-to-week with our best method of simulating the actual test environment.