Serving the Chicago Metropolitan Area & Illinois
RAN’s Chicago location enables RAN to provide full service fire protection engineering solutions to the Chicago Metropolitan Area and Illinois.
From system design to code consulting, RAN delivers solutions which are tailored to unique building codes and project needs. We partner with architects, engineers, developers, building owners, and contractors throughout Illinois to provide innovative, compliant, and cost-effective fire safety solutions.
Code Experts
Our extensive knowledge of the state of Illinois and Chicago City fire and building code regulations equips RAN to ensure code compliance for all projects. This strong command of all the relevant codes is essential for expert dialogue and resolution with Authorities Having Jurisdiction within Illinois.
Lemont, IL
RAN engineers were part of the design team for replacing the existing plain old telephone service (POTS) communication of fire alarm signals to the distribution center with a private network mesh radio reporting system. Services provided as part of this project include:
Unique aspects of this project included:
While performing the program analysis for this project, it was brought to RAN engineers attention that site-wide RF testing was imperative to the design of a mesh radio network. They identified this to the design team, and then organized and led the performance of this testing. As a result, RAN engineers were able to conclude that multiple high-gain receiver antennas would be required to provide adequate coverage of the entire laboratory, rather than the single antenna installation that the client had believed would be required during conversations with the manufacturer of the system. This eliminated the surprise of a brand new system not working when activated due to the significant obstructions to RF transmission present at the laboratory.
Chicago, IL
RAN engineers were part of the design team providing upgrades to various architectural, mechanical, and electrical systems throughout the building, including total replacement of the fire alarm system. Services provided as part of this project included:
Unique aspects of this project include:
In the early stages of this project our engineers highlighted their commitment to no surprises. While reviewing code requirements for the fire alarm system, they noticed there were architectural, electrical, and security requirements which were applicable to the project. By bringing these concerns up to the design team early in the project, the design team was able to avoid re-work during permitting or construction. This has the potential to save the client both time and money.
Wheeling, IL
RAN engineers were part of the design team designing the renovations and additions to the Wheeling Recreational Center building. This required modifications to the existing sprinkler systems to accommodate renovations, and a new sprinkler system design for the new addition. Services provided as part of this project included:
Unique aspects of this project include:
During the existing conditions review, RAN engineers noticed that the static pressure on the riser was less than the design residual pressure at the base of the riser. This indicated that the water supply had changed since the design of the system and brought into question the effectiveness of the existing sprinkler risers. RAN recommended the addition of a fire pump to the project and provided the design services required.
Since the original location of the sprinkler risers was not adequate for installation of a fire pump under local ordinances, RAN identified where a fire pump could be located, how to relocate the existing system risers, and what size fire pump was required. In addition, fire pumps typically have a 6-10 week lead time, which can make obtaining the correctly sized fire pump on short notice difficult and costly.
By identifying this condition during the design stages, RAN engineers reduced the impact of the surprise by reducing the cost and schedule impacts of adding a fire pump to the project.