Method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building

Abstract

A method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user identify the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user identified standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system. The design layout as well as the building parameters can be edited. The, edited layout is checked for compliance with the identified standard as well as avoidance of building parameters.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A computer readable storage medium containing computer executable code which when executed causes a computer to design a sprinkler system for a building or a portion of a building having building elements, the sprinkler system having a plurality of sprinkler system elements, wherein the computer designs the sprinkler system by performing steps comprising: 
 prompting a user to provide information comprising a design area for the sprinkler system and a requirement of a standard related to at least one sprinkler system element;    receiving from the user information comprising the design area and the requirement of the standard related to the at least one sprinkler system element;    accessing from a memory operational characteristics for at least one of the sprinkler system elements;    accessing from the memory the requirement of the standard received from the user;    designing a layout for the sprinkler system within the design area, in a manner mandated by the requirement of the standard, and to avoid intersecting with the building elements; and    displaying on a computer display the layout for the fire extinguishing system.