Wanrui Edutainment Inc. proposed to convert an existing approximately 12,000-square-foot tenant space in West Roxbury, Massachusetts into an indoor children’s playground with multi-level playhouse structures. The playhouse design created a unique fire protection challenge because NFPA 13 would typically require sprinklers below fixed obstructions greater than 4 feet wide, including floor-ceiling assemblies within the play structure.

Engineering Fire Protection, LLC provided fire protection/life safety code consulting and sprinkler design services to support the project. EFP prepared an Alternative Means and Method Request using fire and smoke modeling to justify omitting sprinklers within the playhouse structure while maintaining an equivalent level of life safety and property protection. EFP also provided a Tier II fire sprinkler design package, including drawings, hydraulic calculations, narrative, and construction control documentation.

Sprinklers, piping, and hangers installed inside the playhouse could create injury hazards for children, be exposed to vibration, and present leakage or structural support concerns. EFP helped resolve this challenge by proposing enhanced roof-level wet-pipe sprinkler protection combined with ceiling-level smoke detection. Fire Dynamics Simulator modeling demonstrated that ceiling-mounted smoke detectors could provide earlier fire detection than in-playhouse sprinklers, supporting prompt evacuation and a practical code-compliant fire protection strategy.

In addition to the technical analysis, EFP supported the project from concept through approval by coordinating with the project team, contractors, Boston Inspectional Services Department, and Boston Fire Department. EFP participated in multiple rounds of discussions with building inspectors and fire protection engineers to explain the code rationale, address comments, and help the project move forward without significant delay.