Fire Protection Engineering

Kelly, Wright & Associates offers complete fire protection engineering services to our clients. This includes the capability of properly coordinating fire protection system designs with the work of other disciplines and integrating them into the contract documents for a complete package. This offers the advantage of discovering coordination issues and resolving them prior to issuing the plans for bidding and permits, all with the Owner's and Client's best interests in mind.

Additionally, with a registered Fire Protection Engineer, Kelly, Wright & Associates can provide our clients with FPE services including the design of fire alarm systems, smoke control systems, code/standard analysis, clean agent systems, foam/AFFF systems, explosion protection, water mist systems, as well as full fire protection and life safety audits.

Below are a few examples of the types of fire protection projects we have been involved in.

Note: The experience provided on this page is current as of Sunday, September 29, 2019.
For our most up-to-date project experience please contact us.
Minera Peñasquito
Minera Peñasquito
Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito
Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito
Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito Minera Peñasquito
  • Owner: Goldcorp Inc.
  • Location: Mazapil, Zacatecas, Mexico
  • Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build

KWA provided complete Fire Protection system designs for numerous buildings on the mine site. All designs were provided in metric units, translated to Spanish. Designs included wet-pipe fire sprinkler systems for two 30,000 SF Rack Storage Warehouses, a 60,000 SF Mine Truck Repair facility, a 25,000 SF Mill Maintenance Repair facility, several packaged Lube System Buildings, as well as a new electric driven fire pump serving a major portion of the mine campus. A single interlocked pre-action system was provided for a document control facility. Several wet-chemical fire suppression system designs were prepared for buildings containing packaged lubrication systems, including the mine's Primary Crusher.

Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations
Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations
Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations
Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations
Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations Arizona Air National Guard Building 35 Renovations
  • Owner: Arizona Air National Guard
  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build
  • Project Area: 20,000 SF

Designed the HVAC, plumbing and fire protection system for a pump house addition to an existing aircraft hanger used as a corrosion control maintenance facility for F16 aircraft. Also designed a complete wet-pipe fire sprinkler system throughout the existing hanger with a manual and automatically controlled Hi-X foam system within the existing hanger bays. System design incorporated design of a new pump house addition with redundant fire pumps, controllers and related equipment and site underground fire line extension.


Davis Monthan AFB Building 1440 Hi-X System
Davis Monthan AFB Building 1440 Hi-X System
Davis Monthan AFB Building 1440 Hi-X System Davis Monthan AFB Building 1440 Hi-X System
  • Owner: United States Air Force
  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Project Area: 41,000 SF

Designed a complete wet-pipe fire sprinkler system with a manually controlled Hi-X foam system for an existing 41,000 SF aircraft maintenance hanger. Design included underground piping to supply two new electrically driven fire pumps, including a pump house erected adjacent to the existing hanger. Hydraulic calculations balanced the demands of the overhead fire sprinkler system with the Hi-X foam system at their points of connection.

Arizona Stadium North End Zone Expansion
Arizona Stadium North End Zone Expansion
Arizona Stadium North End Zone Expansion
  • Owner: University of Arizona
  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Delivery Method: CM at Risk
  • Project Area: 73,000 SF

Prepared fire protection performance specifications including drawings depicting sprinkler head layouts for construction coordination, details for a new fire pump system installation, and all riser & drain piping configuration details. Standpipe systems were both dry manual and wet manual combined with the wet-pipe fire sprinkler systems. Exterior areas were designed to have double interlocked pre-action system protection.

JW Marriot Starr Pass Hotel
JW Marriot Starr Pass Hotel
JW Marriot Starr Pass Hotel JW Marriot Starr Pass Hotel JW Marriot Starr Pass Hotel JW Marriot Starr Pass Hotel
  • Owner: Marriot
  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Delivery Method: Design-Build

Complete fire sprinkler and combined standpipe system design including fire service underground, fire pump system, and hydraulic calculations. The Starr Pass Marriot Hotel is an eight level resort hotel with an adjoining 2-level sub grade parking structure and a complete convention center facility incorporating large banquet rooms, and several specialty restaurants.

U of A Chemistry Building Expansion
U of A Chemistry Building Expansion
U of A Chemistry Building Expansion U of A Chemistry Building Expansion U of A Chemistry Building Expansion U of A Chemistry Building Expansion
  • Owner: University of Arizona
  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Delivery Method: CM at Risk
  • Project Area: 46,800 SF

New 4-story addition to the existing Chemistry Building at the University of Arizona. Hired by the Fire Protection Contractor, KWA prepared complete fire sprinkler and standpipe system design drawings including hydraulic calculations. A fire pump design was also prepared and incorporated into the project. The General Contractor hired KWA to concurrently prepare entire coordination drawings for mechanical, plumbing, process lab piping, electrical, structural & architectural disciplines.

Davis Monthan AFB Building 5256 Hi-X System
Davis Monthan AFB Building 5256 Hi-X System
Davis Monthan AFB Building 5256 Hi-X System Davis Monthan AFB Building 5256 Hi-X System Davis Monthan AFB Building 5256 0 Hi-X System
  • Owner: United States Air Force
  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Project Area: 13,100 SF

Designed a complete wet-pipe fire sprinkler system design with a manually controlled Hi-X foam system for an existing fuel maintenance aircraft hanger. Design included underground piping from an existing dual fire pump system in an adjacent building to supply the new systems installed in the existing hanger. Prepared complete hydraulic calculations to balance the demands of the overhead fire sprinkler system with the Hi-X foam system at their points of connection.

U of A Memorial Student Union and Bookstore
U of A Memorial Student Union and Bookstore
  • Owner: University of Arizona
  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Delivery Method: Design-Build
  • Project Area: 395,000 SF

Hired by the Fire Protection Contractor, KWA prepared complete fire sprinkler and standpipe system design including hydraulic calculations for the new Student Union and Bookstore Building. Project design included phasing to allow for existing Student Center to remain occupied and protected during construction.

More Examples

Cerro Negro (Argentina)

Fire Protection System design for new buildings at an expanding copper & gold mining facility in Argentina, South America. Systems are wet-pipe and are designed for a 60' high bay, 33000 SF heavy equipment truck maintenance shop with a 2-story support area, 8000 SF assay laboratory single storage buidling, and a 39785 SF rack storage warehouse.building including a 4800 SF mezzanine.

Florence High School Fire Protection Design

Complete design including hydraulic calculations for fire protection system in new two story, 204,000 square foot single building high school. Building included classroom wings, full kitchen, cafeteria, library, gymnasium & locker facilities, mechanical & electrical rooms, administration and fine arts areas.

Hawker Beechcraft Hanger & Office Addition

Prepared complete closed head AFFF foam-water fire sprinkler system for an aircraft maintenance hanger at the Williams Gateway Air Park. The design included fully falanced hydraulic calculations for the overhead system and hose reel system that was also incorporated. This project was an addition to the original PDW2 Hangar although the systems were designed as stand alone

AANG Building 8 Renovations

Designed the HVAC and plumbing system for an existing aircraft hanger used as a training location for munitions loading & unloading onto F16 aircraft. Also designed a complete wet-pipe fire sprinkler system with a manual and automatically controlled Hi-X foam system for the same existing aircraft hanger. System design incorporated design of a new pump house addition with redundant fire pumps, controllers and related equipment with extension of a new underground fire line to supply the fire pumps.

Mercedes Mine Project

Fire Sprinkler System Designs for 4 new buildings including: Cafeteria Building (6150 SF), Change Building (10275 SF), Laboratory Building (6150 SF), and an Administration Building (6000 SF)

Cerro Negro Area 900 Admin Building

complete fire sprinkler system design with hydraulic calculations for a single level administration building also containing archive document storage, dining and medical facilities. Design prepared in Metric units.

Mesa Hangar

Prepared complete closed head foam-water fire sprinkler system for a helicopter maintenance hanger at the Williams Gateway Air Park. The design included fully balanced hydraulic calculations for the overhead system and hose reel system that was also incorporated.

Hanger for Chandler/Gilbert CC

Designed a complete wet-pipe fire sprinkler system including an alternate high expansion foam system for a new hanger intended for classroom instruction and other educational functions. The wet-pipe system "base-bid" had to be designed based upon the water system needs for a fully balanced high expansion foam system being possibly installed in the future. Design included calculations proving current and future demands could be met.

Pima College West Campus

Complete fire protection design for retrofit of automatic fire sprinkler protection throughout three existing multiple story classroom buildings and one new building.

Mercedes Mine - Additional Buildings

Fire Sprinkler System Designs for 3 additional buildings including: Warehouse Building (3350 SF), Refinery Building (7195 SF), and a performance specification for a FM200 gas agent system for the Operator Control Room & Instrumentation Room ion an Electrical Control Building (2115 SF)

Community Food Bank - Tucson

Designed replacement fire sprinkler system to permit full utilization of available height with "Push-back" style of racks within 60,000 SF existing warehouse. Project included replacement of the existing 35 year old fire pump system. Demolition and installation were carefully phased to limit out-of-service downtime to a maximum of 8 hours during non-occupied periods within the building while maintaining fire watches throughout the facility.

Pima County Jail Expansion - FP

Prepared performance specification for a wet-pipe fire sprinkler and combined fire standpipe system for a 4-level expansion to existing county jail.

Walmart Supercenter 1149

Complete fire sprinkler system design including fire service underground and hydraulic calculations for new 200,000 SF store. Design included high rack storage of tires and general stockroom high piled storage, & vehicle servicing area.

Casino II Sprinkler Design

Complete fire sprinkler system design including fire service underground and hydraulic calculations for gaming casino.

US Air Force Raytheon Plant Site #44

Hydraulic analysis of existing fire sprinkler systems installed in the original Air Force Plant Site #44. Study was to determine feasibility for a possible changeover from existing pumped on-site water supplies to the available City of Tucson municipal water supply. 30 buildings with automatic fire sprinkler systems were evaluated in this study.

Vail Elementary School

Prepared complete fire sprinkler system design including underground fire service and hydraulic calculations for four building school campus.

St Marys Medical Offices - Fire Protection Design

Complete fire protection system design including hydraulic calculations and stock listings.

Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Fire Protection Retrofit

Complete fire protection design, including hydraulic calculations and dimensioned drawings for existing 2 story sorority building of combustible construction with two partial basement areas with approximately 18,000 SF of occupied space. Work included extensive field verification to determine optimal routing of fire sprinkler piping to minimize visual impact & conflicts with existing architectural elements.

Yuma Agriculture Center - Finish Shell

Prepared performance specifications and sprinkler head layout for a 19,900 SF agricultural laboratory and research facility.for the Univeristy of Arizona. Existing building was unenclosed shell space. Work included the development of water supply infrastructure for fire protection as well as potable water for domestic purposes.

Escobal Mining Warehouse

Design new ESFR fire sprinkler system for new hi-rack storage warehouse including seismic bracng design.

Raytheon ATA Building 848

Two story administration / engineering building. Provided complete fire sprinkler system design including fire service underground and hydraulic calculations.

Costco Fire Sprinkler System Replacement

Complete replacement of existing fire sprinkler systems throughout 135,000 SF facility. Phased design to accommodate demolition & replacement during evening hours at busy Christmas season while maintaining system integrity & service during hours of occupancy.

Friedman Recycling material Recovery Facility

Performance specification for fire sprinkler system in 45000 SF recycling facility, 9000 SF secure shredding & maintenance facility, and 2240 SF office area. Design a water tank & fire pump installation to serve the entire campus.

Elgin Elementary School Fire Pump

Prepared a complete fire sprinkler system design including underground fire service, diesel driven fire pump and pump house, and complete hydraulic calculations for a 14,000 SF MPR, admin & classroom building.

Tucson Superpop

Tenant improvement for a telephone exchange business in an existing 115,000 square foot building. Complete, supervised, single interlocked pre-action fire sprinkler system design including hydraulic calculations.

Grand Canyon Depot Fire Sprinkler Retrofit

Design complete fire protection system including hydraulic calculations for retrofit into multiple-floor historic structure. Design included special provisions for freeze protection of FP systems. NPS project manager: Robert Powell, (928) 638-7649.

UA Records Management & Archives FP

Complete fire sprinkler system design including fire service underground and hydraulic calculations. Design included high rack storage of records.

Other Project Types

  • College

    KWA has provided designs for facilites at the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Central Arizona College, Pima Community College... (read more)

  • Commercial

    The KWA team provides high quality, energy efficient and budget-appropriate solutions for office buildings, financial institutions, mixed-use facilities, retail buildings... (read more)

  • Government

    KWA has extensive experience providing engineering designs for Government projects. The KWA team is knowledgeable of the required design standards and codes... (read more)

  • Healthcare

    The KWA team has designed HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems for more than 40 healthcare and medical facilities in Arizona and New Mexico... (read more)

  • K-12 Schools

    KWA provides engineering design services for all types of education facilities, kindergarten to high school. Additionally, KWA provides commissioning and energy audits... (read more)

  • Military

    KWA has extensive experience working on military projects in Arizona and California and has vast knowledge of the federal requirements and desires for such projects... (read more)

  • Museum / Arhive

    KWA has the expertise necessary to provide designs for the tight temperature, humidity, and pressurization requirements of museum and archival facilities... (read more)

  • Places of Worship

    The KWA team understands the needs of and provides custom-taylored solutions for the high-occupancy and multi-use assembly spaces in religious projects... (read more)